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How the 'Black Cane' got its name
At Kelt Bagpipe Reeds, we believe you shouldn’t have to choose between the tonal quality of a traditional cane reed, and the stability and reliability of a synthetic one.
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This led us to develop our signature ‘Black Cane’ reed. The unique design and assembly of this carbon fibre reed produces a sound so akin to natural cane, that some players within the legendary Field Marshall Montgomery pipe band have nicknamed it ‘Black Cane’.


Why 'Black Cane' are played by the best
We believe ‘Black Cane’ reeds produce an unparalleled combination of smoothness, projection, and stability.
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Not susceptible to effects of atmospheric conditions, they function in any weather: hot, cold, wet, or dry. Moreover, immune to adverse effects of moisture, they can be played for longer in a wet-bag system without the deterioration in tonal quality you’d expect from their natural cane counterparts. All this combined with their incredibly easy strike-in makes them the perfect choice for anyone: amateur or professional, playing indoor or outdoor, in concert or competition.
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It’s no wonder they’re chosen by some of the world’s top highland bagpipe players. Check out our testimonials to hear what they have to say!
'Black Cane' in Action!
Watch the impressive Lincoln Hilton playing his Kelt Black Cane Reeds. This is bagpipes as they were meant to sound!
Who We Are
‘Black Cane’ reeds were innovated by us: Mark Faloon and James Knox MBE.
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Mark Faloon has been a prolific figure on the piping scene for over 40 years. His natural affinity for the highland bagpipes has seen him playing with world-renowned bands and winning multiple World Pipe Band Championships (Grade 1) as part of Field Marshall Montgomery.
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James Knox MBE also has a wealth of experience in the bagpiping world. A player for over 50 years, James was awarded an MBE for services to Bagpiping. Furthermore, James has built a lifetime of expertise in precision engineering, culminating in him founding his company: Knox Engineering.
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Our unique blend of understanding in the fields of bagpiping and engineering allowed expert knowledge to inform all stages of the ‘Black Cane’ reeds’ development: from design and manufacture to set-up and testing. Ultimately, it enabled us to create what we consider to be the best all-round bagpipe reeds on the market.
