No I was never able to get the chanters made. My negotiations with the pipe maker broke down when I realised that he was not understanding exactly what I wanted him to do- in fact the problem was with him understanding too much.
What I mean is, I wanted him to make his ordinary chanters exactly as usual, but just leaving off certain holes. I made the mistake of showing him these videos, which launched him into overthinking it. I know that he wouldn't be able to resist the temptation to tinker with the chanters (bore and/or hole placement) to try to get them to do what HE thinks they should do.
I've had many bad experiences with makers over the years making what they think I want rather than making what I say I want. Hard to describe, but I've found the best way is just to not say anything and let them do what they do.
So, these off-the-shelf chanters work great and I'll stick with them. Maybe one day I'll find a maker I really trust, and have him make exact copies of these plastic practice chanters, but in wood, with the missing holes. I have little doubt that, after going through the trouble and expense, I'll find that the new chanters don't work as well as the ones I have.
Last edited by OC Richard; 20th December 14 at 08:01 PM.
Proud Mountaineer from the Highlands of West Virginia; son of the Revolution and Civil War; first Europeans on the Guyandotte
Bookmarks