seitor
The Seitor is a system of tone correction, integrated into the chanter, exclusive to Obradoiro de Gaitas Seivane, that is optionally offered when one of our gaitas or chanters are purchased.
Gaitas, like all instruments, are sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature. Gaiteiros attempt to compensate for these variations in tone with different expedients, the principal one being to lift or sink the reed in the reed seat, an action not without risk during a live performance. In 1988, to facilitate this procedure, the chanter with adjustable tone was born; it was patented on 2005, as an ideal and effective system.
This chanter is formed by a body and a head, or upper section, with a screw thread in the tenon joint that allows precise telescopic adjustment, lengthening or shortening the chanter with consequential variations in tone. Assuming that it is perfectly tuned at zero point, it can be raised or lowered a quarter of a tone without noticeably affecting the scale.
Although all chanters can be tuned in the traditional way, the Seitor is a system that permits the raising and the lowering of the reed in a rapid, safe and precise way, so that the gaiteiro can correct variations in tone without the need to remove the chanter from the gaita.
Instruction for use of the Seitor
Once the reed is in place and the chanter in its stock, you can turn the body (B) as displayed on table (A), to the right or left to correct any possible variations in tone that can occur due to changes in room temperature, humidity or any other reason. All this without needing to adjust the reed again. Each turn of the chanter (B) enlarges or shortens it by a millimetre and causses its tone to lower or to raise respectively.
When packed for delivery, the chanter is fixed in the central position (2), in the same way that fixed tone chanters are. You can make three returns to right (3) or two to the left (1) to effect the aforementioned changes. It is possible to make additional turns, although this would create issues with the chanter’s pitch.
You may, if you wish, download the instruction manual for the Seitor in PDF format, by clicking on the following link:
Maintenance
Every six months, we recommend you to separate the top (A) from the body (A) by turning it repeatedly. This will allow you to see the precision setting screw (4) that you should lubricate with the Seibo fat, that comes with the gaita, twice a year.
In order to reinsert it, align the screw and without forcing it, turn it towards the right until in the medium position, which is when the lower end of the top (A) and the small widening in the base (B) of the chanter are brought in line, creating an appearance similar to a fixed tone chanter.
