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7 messages

New drones, and I cannot wait to get 'em

09 Feb 08 - 06:26 PM (#2258038)
Subject: New drones, and I cannot wait to get 'em
From: Big Mick

I made the decision, at 49 years of age (8 years ago), that self abuse was the way to stay young, and frustrated. So I took up the Uilleann Pipes. Until now I have been playing a practice set. For the uninitiated, a half set consists of a bag, bellows and a chanter. I have three chanters, one made by Mark Hillman, one a greenheart chanter of unknown origin that I got from a Mudcatter (Paddymac, I think), and a chanter made by a young fella from Texas by the name of Seth Hamon. Each has its own voice, and I really like each of them for different reasons. I tried to get Hillman to build me a set of drones to add on, making this a half set. To go to a full set would require adding regulators which I will do at a later date. Hillman never came through, so I contacted Hamon, and he agreed to build me a set. Here is a photobucket film clip with audio where you can hear how they sound. The first part of the clip is just the bass and baritone, then there is a short pause and the bass, baritone, and tenor sound. I can't wait for them to get here. For the bass and baritone, he uses a rosewood tube with a styrene tongue. For the tenor he uses a cane tube with a styrene tongue.

Just thought I would share the news, and let you hear the sound clip. I am very excited to get them, and he tells me he is shipping them in a day or so. Comments appreciated.

Mick


09 Feb 08 - 06:33 PM (#2258043)
Subject: RE: New drones, and I cannot wait to get 'em
From: Brendy

Excellent stuff Mick! You'll never put a foot wrong with them.

They sound great as well. Very deep and 'old' sounding.

May you have health to play them. ;-)

B.


09 Feb 08 - 06:33 PM (#2258044)
Subject: RE: New drones, and I cannot wait to get 'em
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)

Beautiful sound - more power to the drone! Next, let's have a clip of you playing 'em!

Cheers

Nigel


09 Feb 08 - 06:41 PM (#2258046)
Subject: RE: New drones, and I cannot wait to get 'em
From: Leadfingers

All you want now Mick , is a set of PROPER Pipes that you could March with !!


09 Feb 08 - 06:47 PM (#2258053)
Subject: RE: New drones, and I cannot wait to get 'em
From: Peace

And March is less than three weeks away (I think). That's based on the presumption that it is February now.


09 Feb 08 - 06:51 PM (#2258056)
Subject: RE: New drones, and I cannot wait to get 'em
From: John MacKenzie

Does Bee know?


10 Feb 08 - 12:27 AM (#2258220)
Subject: RE: New drones, and I cannot wait to get 'em
From: Big Mick

OK, Terry.... you are a musician, so you know the drill. It is in 4/4 ...... count it off with me ......

1....

and a
2....

and a
3....

and a
4....




BITE ME!!!!!




Next thing you know, you'll be having me prancing around in a skirt with no undies on!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the nice comments, folks. I asked him to make them with that old sound, Brendy. I had a fella loan me a set of Ray Sloans and they had wimpy sounding drones. I wanted them to have substance.

Appreciate the nice comments. I am anxious to get them and get them tied into the bag and start to work with them.

All the best,

Mick