I make drone reeds of tube cane.
Here are good starting sizes for U-Pipe drone reeds:
Key of D
| Tenor | 3/16" diameter | 2" length |
| Baritone | 7/32" diameter | 3" length |
| Bass | 9/32" diameter | 4" length |
Key of C
| Tenor | 3/16" diameter | 2 1/4" length |
| Baritone | 7/32" diameter | 3 1/4" length |
| Bass | 9/32" diameter | 4 1/4" length |
Over the years cane tubes in the sizes appropriate for drones have become increasingly expensive and more difficult to obtain. At some time in the future I expect to go to composite drone reeds, that is, reeds with a (probably) cane tongue and a barrel of wood or plastic.
The drone reed seats are cylindrical. I use windings of Teflon tape around the open end of the reed to enlarge the cane to the diameter of the reed seat. Most pipers use a tapered or conical reed seat. I ascribe to the theory that a tapered fit is merely waiting to loosen up. I can supply drones with tapered reed seats if requested.
Tenor drone reed seat: 3/16" diameter, 3/16" depth
Baritone drone reed seat: 1/4" diameter, 1/4" depth
Bass drone reed seat: 9/32" diameter, 9/32" depth
| 
