Flat "Penny-Chanter" Dimensions for Wide-Bore Concert C and C#

Copyright 2008 David C. Daye, all text, image and sound files presented here.
DESIGN REVISED 20 July 2009
Previously Revised 28 April 2009

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Table of Contents


Current State of Playing

The wide-bore Concert Style C Penny-Chanter is now playing at these dimensions with reeds tested for the original Concert D chanter, well enough for me to be selling them. This is now a decent instrument safe for experimenters and budget minded home builders to make for performance purposes.

NOTE October 2010: the C Chanter is also accepting easier to make straight-tube staples. Use 3/16" outside diameter brass thinwall hobby tube, 2" long, tapered to a 1/16" inside diameter opening in the narrow axis at the eye. The reed will be 1/8" shorter than Concert D Penny-Chanter reeds at 3 1/8" overall length, nominally, varying with different types of cane. Head width about 1/2" same as for Concert D Penny-Chanter, varying slightly with cane type.

Click here for a sound sample of the Concert Style C chanter playing outdoors with a baritone drone.

Again, these are flat pitched chanters but they are not related to the historic flat chanters that have less power, smaller holes and narrower, typically more complex bores.

The C# chanter playing a concert D reed is a much easier adaptation from the D chanter, and I have one playing, but it needs fine-tuning to hit pitch with the same reed in the same positions as with the D. If I get an order for a C# I'll finalize it quickly, otherwise it'll be a bit later in spring of 2009 when I put up the dimensions.

Corrections, data confusion questions or improvements are all gratefully accepted.


Source for the Designs

These chanters began as identical to the original Concert D Penny-Chanter, except that all tubes and the spacing of all holes were stretched vertically to play at C# or C. For the convenience of both maker and player, they are being developed to all use the same identical reed as the original Concert D Penny-Chanter. This requires that some variations are made in certain parts of the chanter design. However the materials and construction method are identical.


Table of Main Bore Tubing Sizes: .014" Wall Thickness Brass Tubing

Notes:

  • Tubing is sold according to its *OUTSIDE* diameter.
  • Inside diameter is 1/32" less than outside diameter, PLUS approximately .002"
  • Concert C Penny-Chanter -- LOA 420 mm
    New Data 20 July 09

    O.D. 
    (Inches) 
    Tube 
    Length 
    (mm) 
    Distances 
    BetweenTops 
    and Bell (mm) 
    Distances 
    Between 
    Bottoms & 
    Bell (mm) 
    5/16  127  420  293
    11/32 174  420  246 
    3/8 108  315  207 
    13/32  142  315  173 
    7/16 180  315  135 
    15/32  229  315  86 
    1/2  55  115  60 
    17/32  94.5  115  20.5 
    9/16  115  115 
    19/32  115  115 
    5/8 115  115 
    21/32  100  145  45 
    1/2" I.D.
    CPVC Plastic
    300 420 120
    3/8" I.D.
    Butyl or
    Polyethelene
    Plastic
    30 420 290


    Special Tapered Upper Bore

    Table of Throat, Reed Seat and Upper Bore Tubing

    Tube Name   Construction   Diameter  Cylinder Length   Tail Length   Taper Type  Location of Top 
    Upper Bore Tube  Tube   9/32" OD 82 mm   40 mm  Flat  420 mm 
    Throat Tube   Tube   1/4"  OD 18 mm  34 mm  Flat 400 mm 
    Throat Diameter   Paper or Tube   .192" ID  18 mm  -- --  400 mm 


    Finger Holes

    Notes:

  • "Distance" is measured from bell to the center of the hole.
  • Diameters and positions are both critical.
  • "Major" under-cutting means "substantial." You may need to under-cut one or more of these holes on your Penny-Chanter. A Dremel tool, small rotary file, or the side of a drill bit spun in an electric drill can be used.
  • Table of Finger-Hole Dimensions

    Note 
    Name 
    Distance from 
    Bell (mm
    Diameter 
    (inches
    Hole Under- 
    Cutting 
    E-  63  1/4" -- 
    97  11/64" -- 
    F#  132  19/64"  -- 
    167  13/64"  ?
    207.5  9/32" ?
    246  1/4"  ?
    [ C' ]  [rear] 266
    Key req'd. 
    5/32" -- 
    281  13/64"  Significant 
    D'  [rear] 302  1/4"  Significant 



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