I was recently given a Beautiful old practice chanter which was made by "MacPherson" of Edinburgh. I haven't been able to find any information on this maker.
If anyone has any knowledge of this MacPherson I'd be grateful for the enlightenment.
This is my first post on The Session so let me say "Hello!" to you all.
From 'Highland Bagpipe Makers" by Jeannie Campbell...
"In the instance of Hugh MacPherson Bagpipes, we know that there was a period in time when he fully employed Wm. Sinclair to manufacture MacPherson bagpipes. We know further that MacPherson bought the Sinclair business in 1958, stock, tools and turners. In 1963 Sinclair bought the business back. The specifications and styles of MacPherson and Sinclair bagpipes are extremely similar in some instances and identical in most."
You probably have a very nice chanter there. Basically the same as a Sinclair, who made arguably the best chanters in the eighties and early ninties with most top bands and pipers using them. I had one until someone sat on it in a Kilkenny pub.
What happened next? bogman, after the sitting on of the chanter...would this perhaps be worthy of an entry in the fights at sessions.? Was murder done?
Ho ho John, no, no fights or murders. I've been lucky enough only to visit one hostile session - in Holland of all places.
I was in Kilkenny with a pipe band about 15 odd years ago when my Sinclair came to it's end. Our nearest pub was called O' Brien's if I remember right. We had been told to go there for our breakfast. When we arrived, at about 10 in the morning or so, there where a few older guys sitting at the bar drinking Guinness. We asked the barman if he had opened already. He said " No sir we haven't". "any chance of a pint' we asked. "Of course, no problem" . "So have you opened now" we asked. "No we haven't, we just didn't shut last night"
From that point everything seems to have got a bit hazy but I do remember stupidly putting my pipes on a seat which is never a good idea in a busy pub.
Ahhh, one of 'those' occasions! Love the story - cracking, the pub that never shut...I can imagine well that things might have got a bit hazy to put it mildly. Oh well. Hope you managed to come to terms with your 'sad loss'.
MacPherson chanter
MacPherson chanter
Hi there
I was recently given a Beautiful old practice chanter which was made by "MacPherson" of Edinburgh. I haven't been able to find any information on this maker.
If anyone has any knowledge of this MacPherson I'd be grateful for the enlightenment.
This is my first post on The Session so let me say "Hello!" to you all.
Slainte
# Posted on April 14th 2008 by Calgacus
Re: MacPherson chanter
From 'Highland Bagpipe Makers" by Jeannie Campbell...
"In the instance of Hugh MacPherson Bagpipes, we know that there was a period in time when he fully employed Wm. Sinclair to manufacture MacPherson bagpipes. We know further that MacPherson bought the Sinclair business in 1958, stock, tools and turners. In 1963 Sinclair bought the business back. The specifications and styles of MacPherson and Sinclair bagpipes are extremely similar in some instances and identical in most."
You probably have a very nice chanter there. Basically the same as a Sinclair, who made arguably the best chanters in the eighties and early ninties with most top bands and pipers using them. I had one until someone sat on it in a Kilkenny pub.
# Posted on April 14th 2008 by bogman
Re: MacPherson chanter
Thanks Bogman, it's nice to know the stories behind these things.
# Posted on April 14th 2008 by Calgacus
Re: MacPherson chanter
What happened next? bogman, after the sitting on of the chanter...would this perhaps be worthy of an entry in the fights at sessions.? Was murder done?
# Posted on April 14th 2008 by john knoss
Re: MacPherson chanter
Ho ho John, no, no fights or murders. I've been lucky enough only to visit one hostile session - in Holland of all places.
I was in Kilkenny with a pipe band about 15 odd years ago when my Sinclair came to it's end. Our nearest pub was called O' Brien's if I remember right. We had been told to go there for our breakfast. When we arrived, at about 10 in the morning or so, there where a few older guys sitting at the bar drinking Guinness. We asked the barman if he had opened already. He said " No sir we haven't". "any chance of a pint' we asked. "Of course, no problem" . "So have you opened now" we asked. "No we haven't, we just didn't shut last night"
From that point everything seems to have got a bit hazy but I do remember stupidly putting my pipes on a seat which is never a good idea in a busy pub.
# Posted on April 14th 2008 by bogman
Re: MacPherson chanter
Ahhh, one of 'those' occasions! Love the story - cracking, the pub that never shut...I can imagine well that things might have got a bit hazy to put it mildly. Oh well. Hope you managed to come to terms with your 'sad loss'.
# Posted on April 16th 2008 by john knoss