James Kenna

Music:

Member Since: 10/08/2007
Band Website: www.ronanbrowne.com
Band Members:

Regulator Reed Making Tips

The trick with reg reeds is to get the top note slightly sharp and everything below getting progressively sharper as you move away from the reed.
When you position a “rush” all the way up to just above that top note, it should bring it down to pitch. Aim to have the top note just in tune when the pin is half way in/out.
Proceed to the next note adding something like soft wax to the rush just at or above the note hole until it is just in tune. Do not use tac as it sticks to the inside of the bore and is VERY DIFFICULT to remove.
Tune the rest of the notes each in turn as you move away from the reed.
Because you did this with the pin at the half way point, you should have freedom to sharpen or flatten from that middle point.
You will find that in different environments you may need to add or remove some wax to bring any particular note into tune.
Each time you make a change to a certain point along the rush, keep in mind that it will have an effect on all the notes below that point and you may have to make corrections below as a result of an adjustment made above.
I often use single core insulated electrical wire with some of the insulation removed and the rest cut into small sections which I can move up and down. If the insulation doesn't slide easily, I add a little Teflon grease.