I know I just asked one a few weeks ago but I found place where I could get an Irish Boube for around $1300 US I know it was over that but I can't remember by how much but it was under $1400. My question is what do you recommend a Castagnari Lilly or the Salterelle Irish Boube they are about the same price (I think the Boube costs more) I need some help deciding I decided to put Box at the front of my list because I diceded to hold off on getting Galician Bagpipes and I have wanted a Box for the longest time.
Castagnari makes beautiful instruments and the Lilly is a jewel. It's compact and has plenty of volume. As far as I know, it is made with one reed per note which gives it more the sound of a concertina with the advantage of a base layout on the left hand and the inherent ability of an accordion to accommodate one note triplets on the right hand.
The Bouebe has two reeds per note usually tuned swing, semiswing or dry. The buttons are laid out flat on the keyboard, an arrangement many people find conducive to making rolls easier to play. The stepped layout of the Lily or the Tommy keyboards certainly has not stopped others from playing ornaments smoothly, however. The Castagnari counterpart to a Bouebe would be the Dinn II.
My observation is that Saltarelles are not crafted to the high standard of Castagnaris but I'm satisfied with mine nonetheless. It's an early model without the brand name carved into the front and without the adjustable lefthand strap or the stop to remove the thirds in the bass. I stopped the airways to the bass thirds with cork and it sounds and plays fine. It has withstood hard usage and stayed in tune.
There is a distinct difference in the sound of the two instruments. If you haven't yet, you should make arrangements to hear a Lilly before you decide.
I am extremely happy with my Irish Bouebe. I tried some others, including Castagnaris (having to travel great distances to do so), but I liked its sound the best. Not a lot of extra stops, bells or whistles, but all the things that you need in a well-crafted package.
AL Brown
As a non box player, I prefer the sound of the Saltarelle any day. Had a few tunes with Jackie Daly down in Milltown during the summer and he is now playing the Saltarelle - nuff said!
I owned a Lily up until a year ago. I loved the sound, and it was light and convenient to carry. The only drawbacks were that the size presents some issues in terms of holding the instrument ... I had to play it with 2 straps, and even then never got totally comfortable with it, and the keyboard is small and puts your hand in a bit of an awkward position for fingering, especially on the outer row. You really have to curve your fingers inward to hit the outer row ... and I have fairly normal sized hands.
I own both the Castagnari Lilly and the Saltarelle Irish Bouebe and I would say that both are really good. Basically, it depends on which sound you prefer - the Irish Bouebe can sometimes sound harsh but is great for dancing and the Lilly can often sound squeaky and shrill. Also, you need to decide between flat and stepped keyboard - I prefer stepped as it's better for triplets but flat is easier to cross rows. Sorry I can't be any more help but you should play both and then decide.
Another Box Question
Another Box Question
I know I just asked one a few weeks ago but I found place where I could get an Irish Boube for around $1300 US I know it was over that but I can't remember by how much but it was under $1400. My question is what do you recommend a Castagnari Lilly or the Salterelle Irish Boube they are about the same price (I think the Boube costs more) I need some help deciding I decided to put Box at the front of my list because I diceded to hold off on getting Galician Bagpipes and I have wanted a Box for the longest time.
# Posted on January 31st 2005 by Why Bother?
Re: Another Box Question
Castagnari makes beautiful instruments and the Lilly is a jewel. It's compact and has plenty of volume. As far as I know, it is made with one reed per note which gives it more the sound of a concertina with the advantage of a base layout on the left hand and the inherent ability of an accordion to accommodate one note triplets on the right hand.
The Bouebe has two reeds per note usually tuned swing, semiswing or dry. The buttons are laid out flat on the keyboard, an arrangement many people find conducive to making rolls easier to play. The stepped layout of the Lily or the Tommy keyboards certainly has not stopped others from playing ornaments smoothly, however. The Castagnari counterpart to a Bouebe would be the Dinn II.
My observation is that Saltarelles are not crafted to the high standard of Castagnaris but I'm satisfied with mine nonetheless. It's an early model without the brand name carved into the front and without the adjustable lefthand strap or the stop to remove the thirds in the bass. I stopped the airways to the bass thirds with cork and it sounds and plays fine. It has withstood hard usage and stayed in tune.
There is a distinct difference in the sound of the two instruments. If you haven't yet, you should make arrangements to hear a Lilly before you decide.
# Posted on January 31st 2005 by ʎɹoʇısuɐɹʇ
Re: Another Box Question
Thanks I did not know that.
# Posted on January 31st 2005 by Why Bother?
Re: Another Box Question
I am extremely happy with my Irish Bouebe. I tried some others, including Castagnaris (having to travel great distances to do so), but I liked its sound the best. Not a lot of extra stops, bells or whistles, but all the things that you need in a well-crafted package.
AL Brown
# Posted on January 31st 2005 by AlBrown
Re: Another Box Question
As a non box player, I prefer the sound of the Saltarelle any day. Had a few tunes with Jackie Daly down in Milltown during the summer and he is now playing the Saltarelle - nuff said!
# Posted on January 31st 2005 by breandan
Re: Another Box Question
I owned a Lily up until a year ago. I loved the sound, and it was light and convenient to carry. The only drawbacks were that the size presents some issues in terms of holding the instrument ... I had to play it with 2 straps, and even then never got totally comfortable with it, and the keyboard is small and puts your hand in a bit of an awkward position for fingering, especially on the outer row. You really have to curve your fingers inward to hit the outer row ... and I have fairly normal sized hands.
SteveB
# Posted on January 31st 2005 by stevebenn
Re: Another Box Question
I own both the Castagnari Lilly and the Saltarelle Irish Bouebe and I would say that both are really good. Basically, it depends on which sound you prefer - the Irish Bouebe can sometimes sound harsh but is great for dancing and the Lilly can often sound squeaky and shrill. Also, you need to decide between flat and stepped keyboard - I prefer stepped as it's better for triplets but flat is easier to cross rows. Sorry I can't be any more help but you should play both and then decide.
# Posted on February 6th 2005 by JoeOConnor10