I'm using the Wygent drone reeds, and yes, you're absolutely right about their complexity - it's easier to get Vista to run properly than it is these freakin reeds. But once they're dialed in, they're like laser beams, and they stay right in the zone in my experience. The bag I'm using was set up in 2001 I think, and I haven't done ONE thing to it maintenance wise since then, albeit I only play maybe once or twice a month; even still, it's extremely reliable and fuss free, unlike the reeds. If you get a chance to get one, I would instantly, in fact IMO it should be the next thing you buy if you don't have one on your pipe set now.
It's impossible to exactly date my pipes, but they belonged to the Regiment in my home town and where my first pipe band was stood up since 1914, and from what I've gathered from research and a few of the older fellows at Ceili's and such that they were probably purchased from R.G. Hardie and Co. Ltd (often referred to as "Hendersons" in the piping community) around that time. Most bagpipes from the end of the great war until very recently with the advent of new technology and materials were made from African Blackwood from Tanzania, which, prior to the end of World War 1 was German East Africa, and not as available to pipe makers in Scotland/England at the time. My pipes are made from a wood other than this Blackwood, which is further proof that they predate the Great War, if only by maybe a few years. So yes, if they aren't 100 years old now, they will be in a couple years.
As for the wood chanter, it's funny you mentioned that, I had my pipes sitting in my office chair during a house party a few years back and a stupid bar chick sat on them and POW, snapped my 800$ (priceless really, as it was a one-off manufactured item from the owner of Naill for the at-the-time world champion grade one piper as I said in my first post) right in two. I was VERY lucky however, as for some reason it broke right in the "E" hole and not a single splinter occurred. Some swearing, a few threats, and about 10 drops of crazy clue later, and voila - sounds as good as they day I got it.
I sill like playing on a "band" Poly chanter too, I have a couple that sound fantastic, and they're tough, almost bullet proof in fact, and having learned on one it just feels better for me than a wood chanter. That said, the sound from a really good competition wood chanter, particularly the Naill's, which have an unequalled competitive record, is truly the class of the world. If I start feeling better soon I'm going to purchase a set of Irish smallpipes from Naill, I'm really looking forward to that.
Hey, have you tried any of the electronic practice chanters that are out there? The technology is SICK from the stuff I've read on the intra-webs, but I haven't had a chance to try one yet. Have you by any chance?
-Gman/Tundra.
