Hedgy -OR- Pilot Custom Grandee, Music Nib (1979)

TL;DR: Hedgehogs appear next to wet noodles – juicy, long, flexible creatures. So, when a late-1970s Pilot Custom Grandee shows up equipped with just this kind of nib, a music nib no less, the Hedgy is bound to show up.

Pilot Custom Grandee H1079 MS nib - Hedgy drawing — **Figure 1**. Hedgy, drawn with a Pilot Custom Grandee with MS nib on Rhodia 80 gsm dotted paper.

First up: Hedgy (see Figure 1).

Pilot Custom Grandee H1079 MS nib - At work — **Figure 2a**. Pilot Custom Grandee H1079 MS nib, at work.

Pilot Custom Grandee H1079 MS nib - Tines and swirls — **Figure 2b**. Three-quarter view of a music nib in a late-1970s Pilot Custom Grandee. Bonus: swirls.

The Pilot Custom Grandee fountain pen equipped with a music nib (see Figures 2a and 2b). This is an outstanding pen, very comfortable, good ergonomics, even the neo-classic looks – black resin, GT – are interesting.

In hand, the pen is lightweight when uncapped, but balances nicely when posted.

Pilot Custom Grandee H1079 MS nib - Nib overview — **Figure 3a**. Nib overview of a Pilot Custom Grandee, music nib made in October 1979. The nib engravings further include “14K-585”, indicating yellow 14-carat gold, “PILOT”, the “MS” for music tipping and nib-structure, “H1079” for the manufacturing date, and a small JIS symbol of a Japanese industry-wide standard for manufacturing quality.

Pilot Custom Grandee H1079 MS nib - nib underview — **Figure 3b**. Nib underview of the Pilot Custom Grandee in Figure 3a.

Pilot Custom Grandee H1079 MS nib - nib sideview — **Figure 3c**. Nib sideview of the Pilot Custom Grandee in Figure 3a.

The music (MS) nib (see Figures 3a, 3b, and 3c): The wet noodler itself. It’s wet, flexible, very broad (BBB) when pressed with moderate pressure.

The three-tines structure of this nib (and the feed underneath) ensure good ink-flow, enabling shading for more complex inks. Just leave enough time for the ink to dry and be prepared to re-ink.

Without pressure, the horizontal strokes are close to medium, and the vertical strokes are broad (to double-broad).

**Figure 4a**. Pilot Custom Grandee, unpacked.

Pilot Custom Grandee H1079 MS nib - Band engraving — **Figure 4b**. Band engraving of a Pilot Custom Grandee pen made in 1979.

More details: the pen (see Figures 4a and 4b).

Pilot Custom Grandee H1079 MS nib - drawing - writing sample — **Figure 5a**. Drawing and writing sample with a Pilot Custom Grandee with music (MS) nib made in 1979.

Pilot Custom Grandee H1079 MS nib - Swirls drawing — **Figure 5b**. Details of a trial drawing with a late-1970s Pilot Custom Grandee equipped with a music nib. Here: swirls.

More details: the tryout (see Figures 5a and 5b).

To conclude:

Music for hedgehogs. Or something like that.

Enjoy the day.

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