Ackland Prototype Drone Reeds VS Ezeedrone Tenors/Balance Tone Bass - Matt Willis Bagpiper 

This is exactly what I needed today after "tweaking" my set of EzDrone's. The Wheezie sound is absolutely what I've been dealing with. Thank you for clarifying what happens when you move the bridal on the reeds and how to adjust on the tuning pins. Again Matt.. Thank you! As you're aware, I've relied on your professionalism, experience and overall awesomeness since I bought my first PC.

yes, looking forward to hear your rework on the reeds Matt. Thanks for the video and your time

The ackland drones sound more sharp and crisp. Thank you for making these videos. I am just starting out in playing. Was getting frustrated in how to tune the drones and chanter reed. Thanks again!

Ive never had ackland drone reeds but i have Ezee drones reeds for about 3 years on my McCallums bagpipes

wow great bagpipes

I go for ezeedrone tenor/balance tone bass the Acland drones sound very funny once you start playing

These arckland reeds would be great for a solo Piper wtr to your current set, I would say. The bass drone is really solid but does not preempt too much on the tenor (sorry for my English, probably not the correct word).

Piper Gunn here! The thicknes of the tongue is what can cause that. Check the thickness differences between the Ackland and the Balance Tone. I am developing my own drones reeds now.

I think your Acklands would be great for a competing band. Big sound on drones required but not to big to overpower the chanter. The Ezee's and balance tone would be better for a solo. More refined and smoother, more balanced with the chanter. Love your videos, great for students.

This is actually a really good video and extremely useful, would absolutely like to see more reviews and comparisons. What would you recommend for a set of modern MacRae pipes (the reproductions)? Currently using an all Ezeedrone Increased Absorption with inverted bass set-up.

I cheers you, for your videos, all of them, but in my case with a Brandy Xeres, Cardenal Mendoza, Gran Reserva,…cheers! My prefered set of drone reeds are Ezee Increased Absrorption and Selbie’s.

Ezeedrone/tenors- Balance tone bass I personally play full balance tone set on a RGH set Many thanks for your videos, Matt

Please keep us updated on the wheezing. I am curious. Thanks

Do you ever review Selbie drone reeds?

Hi Matt. Question - Why do you not play Balance Tone tenors? Is it for band tone?

I'm sure you have been asked before but what is a good quality set of bagpipes that won't break the bank for a beginner. I have always wanted to learn to play. Thank you in advance for any help. And I enjoy the videos keep up the great work

I play Balance Tone, EZ Drone, but in my 2014 Gibson pipes I play Redwood drone reeds.

Good afternoon Matt, I know that you've probably answered this question many many times but I'll ask it again for the convenience. I have a set of pipes that are no longer made but they're made by dumbfian in Aberdeen Scotland, African blackwood, and was wondering what set up you would recommend for the drones. I have a shepherd chanter with shepherd chant reeds. I originally was thinking of going with the same setup you have, ezeedrone / balance tone bass reed but then I heard the full sound of these produce.

Have you set the bridles of the reeds , so that the double tone kicks out when you sound E ? And why tuning one drone ? You can never achive accurate tuning with tuning one drone , when the base comes back , the pressure does change , so I would go for tuning two.

Hi Matt, just wondering what mouthpiece you are using?

What chanter/chanter reed setup are you using here? Just curious. . . Sounds nice.

There’s probably a reason but why tune on F? Instead of High A to Low A?

So the big question is; after you said you’d be writing Ackland to sort out the wheezy bass reed, what was the final ‘fix’??

I kinda Like the uillean sound on those So... after i tuned my pipes with braw tuner to 110 drone and 220 tenors I learned my chanter wasnt 440 (go ahead, laugh lol) i calabrated my tunner to my chanter (458) and tuned to match. I was losing air like a chump (so I started over focused on my air control) thank goodness you said tweak em, dealer sets them in shop and says dont move the bridals , just the screw .. omg lol Now understanding things a bit better im thinking if a cane drone and tenor reed can be made synthetic ; why cant the chanter reed be made similar ? Shorter than the tenor reeds with a nose screw and bridal.... we could replace and tune the chanter reed instead of re-calabrating the braw and re-tune drones ....is that a crazy thought?

Sir how many cost of dronze reeds

What kind of bag are you using in this vid Matt?

So Matt what is you're favorite drone reeds in conclusion. I play solo and would like some heartier louder drones than I have. I

I have an all ezee drone set and I’m thinking about switching my bass. Ideas?

I know this is like... 2 months old. But what drone reeds do you recommend for a set of Grainger and Campbell pipes? I currently have 3 Ezee Drones set up in there. Also, I have a 2nd chanter, which is the 70s Hendersons Blackwood Chanter, which keeps squeaking when I transition from the high hand to a low A. I have a Medium G1 Platinum Reed inside. Is there a way to fix this?

Does your bag not have a zip?

Do you have any tips on how to deal with "whistling/howling/trailing drones because I have Ezee bass (not inverted) & tenors which won't turn off after squeezing enough air to silence them, I tried adjusting them but that would make them cut out. I did use tone enhancers for last year's competitions but I don't want to go back them since they lower the volume of the drones. Thanks.

I thought your setup had a smoother sound. The Acklands sounded sort of raspby.

I prefer the EEzees...The Acklands are a bit too loud to my ear and overpowered the chanter.

I cannot understand why Kevin sent you those reeds, I mentioned to him that I had mailed an earlier development set by mistake. and as he does not play A480 I did not replace them, they were freebies. . The Latest reeds are now longer with a slimmer, longer tongue, and as for bridle adjustment, Patrick McLaurin explained to Kevin on their difference and he should have passed on the information to you.