Melvin Reeds

06/01/2026

Unlock Your Best Piping: The Secret Tool Every Player Needs!

Your Most Important Piping Tool Isn't What You Think!

05/27/2026

“Stone cold right out of the tube. No tape.”

That’s the kind of feedback we love hearing.

Jim Sloan from St. Augustine, Florida dropped one of our reeds into his MACA-1 chanter and this was the result on the tuner immediately — no tape adjustments needed.

“Never had an easier time reeding a chanter first go out of the tube.”

That’s why we design our reeds and chanters to complement each other from the very first strike-in.

Thank you for the kind words, Jim!
— Melvin Reeds



https://wix.to/nyy4FyZ

05/26/2026

“What moisture packet percentage is ideal?”

At Melvin Reeds, we generally prefer 75% moisture packs for everyday reed storage and maintenance.

While higher humidity levels such as 84% can work well in certain situations, we have found that many pipers do not play every single day. When pipes sit unused for several days, higher humidity levels can sometimes increase the risk of excess moisture buildup or even mold inside reed trays and protectors.

The 75% packs provide an excellent balance — enough humidity to help reeds settle quickly and stay stable, while offering a little more margin for real-world playing schedules and storage conditions.

As always, every climate, setup, and player is different, but 75% has proven to be a very reliable option for many pipers.

If you’re picking some up, we recommend buying a few extras. Since they are individually wrapped, they store well and are always handy to have ready when needed.



https://wix.to/W8gKbKR

05/25/2026

Protecting your hearing is essential for every bagpiper — whether you’re practicing, performing, or teaching. Our latest post covers practical tips to reduce risk from prolonged exposure to high volume: from earplugs designed for musicians to practice routines that give your ears a break. Read more: https://wix.to/D82Z56z

Playing the pipes is one of the most rewarding musical experiences out there — but it’s also one of the loudest. Whether you’re practicing at home, competing with a band, or teaching students every week, protecting your hearing should be part of your regular playing routine.Bagpipes can easily...

05/22/2026

Small adjustments can make a big difference in bagpipe tone.

In this video, we introduce the Thistle Tone™ Tone Carver — a precision tool designed to help pipers and Pipe Majors refine chanter holes for improved balance, tuning, and overall scale stability.

Tested by Melvin Reeds and built for serious pipers.

If you’re serious about your tone, this tool belongs in your pipe case.

https://wix.to/QTdoYub

05/20/2026

Every piper is searching for the same thing — steady tone, rich resonance, and performance you can trust when it matters most.

That’s why we created Thistle Tone — an affordable line of premium bagpipe accessories, designed for serious pipers and tested by Melvin Reeds to deliver dependable performance on and off the field.
https://wix.to/rjtYe71

05/18/2026

Why we created Thistle Tone: accessories designed around tone. Every piper wants a steady, resonant instrument that performs when it matters. Learn how Melvin Reeds built Thistle Tone to help pipers get consistent, great tone without breaking the bank. Read the full story: https://wix.to/FWB85Bc

Every piper is searching for the same thing — a steady, resonant instrument that performs consistently when it matters most. Whether in the circle before a competition, or standing on the line with the band, tone and reliability are everything.That pursuit is what inspired the creation of Thistle ...

05/15/2026

Something new is growing at Melvin Reeds.

Focused on:
• Stability
• Balance
• Resonance
• Precision tone

Coming soon.

05/14/2026

BAGPIPE MYTH:

“Louder means better.”

Reality:
A balanced, steady instrument will always sound better than a harsh one.

The best bagpipe tone comes from:
✔️ Stable air pressure
✔️ Balanced reeds
✔️ Proper moisture control
✔️ A well seasoned pipe bag that resonates along with the chanter reed

Tone isn’t just volume.
It’s clarity, richness, and consistency.

That’s what we chase every day at Melvin Reeds.


https://wix.to/cROpOtr