Bb/f Lachenal At The Buttonbox

[Michael Eskin]

Anyone have a sense for this particular instrument? I often play a flat set of Uilleann pipes in the key of C, might be nice to have a Bb/F to complement it.

[Bob]

Anyone have a sense for this particular instrument? I often play a flat set of Uilleann pipes in the key of C, might be nice to have a Bb/F to complement it.

Good Morning - If by sense you mean the condition of the instrument, I believe that you can trust that anything that the Button Box restores is going to be top flight! If there are any hiccups they will tell you about them. They have restored 3 instruments for me and all have been terrific when completed, and some of them were real ebay disasters. Add to that a phone call to talk to them about the instrument and a trial period if you decide that you're serious about the it and I don't think you can go wrong. By the way, I'm not on their !payroll! but when you find someone in the retail business who understands what customer service is all about, they deserve to be recognized! Bob Harvey

[JimLucas]

I often play a flat set of Uilleann pipes in the key of C, might be nice to have a Bb/F to complement it.

Yes, but be aware that the Bb/F in question is a 20-button, so you'll have no B-natural (corresponding to C# on a C/G). I.e., if your piper is playing as if in D -- therefore sounding in C -- then you would have all the notes you need -- though with different fingerings from D -- on a C/G, but not on a Bb/F. To use a Bb/F against those pipes would be great, but you should have the same button layout as on your C/G.

[Michael Eskin]

I often play a flat set of Uilleann pipes in the key of C, might be nice to have a Bb/F to complement it.

Yes, but be aware that the Bb/F in question is a 20-button, so you'll have no B-natural (corresponding to C# on a C/G). I.e., if your piper is playing as if in D -- therefore sounding in C -- then you would have all the notes you need -- though with different fingerings from D -- on a C/G, but not on a Bb/F. To use a Bb/F against those pipes would be great, but you should have the same button layout as on your C/G.

 

 

Hi Jim,

 

I completely understand the issue. This would be for either multi-track recording against my own flat set of pipes in C or playing with others who have C sets. I'd be using the same fingerings that I use on my C/G set when playing in standard D pitched sessions. I can get around the 20 key limitations by doing note substitutions so its not too much of a problem.

 

I've sent an email to the folks at the Buttonbox asking about the instrument, does it have steel or brass reeds, loud or quiet, etc.

 

Cheers and thanks for the advice,

 

Michael

[JimLucas]

I've sent an email to the folks at the Buttonbox asking about the instrument, does it have steel or brass reeds, loud or quiet, etc.

Well, their listing says steel reeds. As for other features, I'm sure they'll let you know.

[flatley]

Michael,

 

I have a Bb/F Jones that I'm looking to sell or trade. It is a 26 button (#13507) that's been overhauled by Button Box in '04. They put new valves, pads, endbolts, inserts, bellows, springs and straps. I'm selling it for what I put into it, buying and repairing. I love the nice warm deep tone that it has but I'm looking for a C/G so I can play along with others.

 

Tom