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Threading your bagpipe drone reed seats is one of the simplest and most powerful modifications you can do to improve the performance and experience of your pipes. With the right tools, you can thread your reed seats so your drone reeds will stay firmly and securely inserted into your pipes. Say goodbye to worries, drone reeds falling out, and loose, wobbly reeds. This is a one-time modification—thread your reed seats once and enjoy securely fitting, stable drone tone for life.
In this video, I’ll take you through a detailed, step-by-step process to thread your drone reed seats using a tap tool. You’ll learn how to achieve a secure fit that ensures your reeds never fall out, helping you maintain consistent tuning and an excellent sound quality every time you play. I explain which tap sizes work best for tenor and bass drones and share important tips to avoid damaging your pipes during the process. This upgrade is a game-changer for pipers, providing enhanced stability and reliability so you can focus on your music without constant adjustments. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, this technique will transform your setup and boost your confidence every time you perform.
What You’ll Learn in This Video:
– Why threading your drone reed seats is a game-changer for pipers
– The best tap sizes to use for tenor and bass drones
– How to safely cut threads without damaging your pipes
– Why this technique works with all major brands of drone reeds
– How this modification improves tuning consistency and reed security
This is one of the best upgrades you can make to your pipes. It eliminates the worry of drone reeds slipping or falling out, and helps maintain better tuning stability for solo performances, pipe band playing, or competition settings.
I have an old a trusted set of metric taps from Craftsman, but this is closest what I use:
Metric Tap M10 x 1.25mm – fits most tenor drone reed seats https://a.co/d/29P2psc
Metric Tap M11 x 1.5mm – fits most bass drone reed seats https://a.co/d/5XIY2TC
Adjustable Tap Wrench Handle for taps sized M1-M12 https://a.co/d/c6PHIE4
Upgrade Your Bagpipe Setup – Get the Right Tools Here:
BagpipeLessons.com Shop https://bagpipelessons.com/shop
R.G. Hardie & Co. Drone Brushes https://bagpipelessons.com/shop/product/bagpipe-soft-brushes
EzeeDrone Reeds (Combo Set): My favorite set for tone and stability https://bagpipelessons.com/ezcombo
Precision Tuning Tool Kit – The must-have kit for perfect tuning https://bagpipelessons.com/toolkit
Tone Protector Chanter Cap & Tone Protector Reed Case– Keep your reed at the perfect humidity https://bagpipelessons.com/toneprotector
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Video Chapters:
00:01 Introduction – Why You Should Thread Your Drone Reed Seats
00:34 What is Threading? The Secret to Secure Drone Reeds
01:12 The Tap Tool: How It Works and Why You Need It
02:16 Choosing the Right Tap Size for Tenor and Bass Drones
03:46 Step-by-Step Guide to Threading Drone Reed Seats
06:53 How to Avoid Damaging Your Pipes While Threading
08:58 Installing EzeeDrone Reeds with the New Threading
10:25 Final Tips for Maximum Stability and Tuning
Loose drone reeds are one of the most common bagpipe frustrations. With this simple modification, you can eliminate slipping reeds for good and achieve better tuning and sound stability every time you play.
Give it a try and let me know in the comments if you’ve threaded your drone reed seats. Thanks for watching, and happy piping!