I've been itching to get a practice set of Uilleann pipes for ages though I can't really afford the prices that are being asked in the UK or Ireland (£600 - £800). I have recently seen that Hobgoblin sell practice sets of UIlleann pipes that are made in Pakistan for about £350. These pipes are made from African blackwood with silver nickel ferrels and come with a leather bag. As they seem to be made of the right materials, are they cheap purely because of their country of manufacture? or do you think the workmanship may possibly be poor. Obviously you can't rightly say without seeing a set or hearing them play, but any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Andy Taylor.
I've recently had a practice set made in the UK, being a newbie to piping. Everyone I've spoken to says avoid the Pakistani ones like the plague. One important consideration is that you need to establish a relationship with your pipemaker. I would have been in the mire without being able to go back to mine for advice, help and reed adjustments. When it's time to move on to a half set, it's better to get the drones from the same maker so that the whole kit is balanced.
I'm extremely happy with my practice set now that I know a little bit more about the instrument, have had the chance to use it for a few weeks and have had the benefit of exoerienced piper's help here and there.
There are many good pipemakers in England. I got mine from Chris Bayley in Surrey. (http://www.bagpipeworld.co.uk/) You may find that you are able to pick up a practice set from him for a good price, depending on what he has ready/part ready.
Thanks halfirish. Can I be cheeky and ask?..... How much did Chris charge you? I see on his web he only wants £450 for a practice set. Do you feel that you got quality for your money. And how long did you have to wait?
If you got a practice set for £450 that are quality i'd be suprised as so many other makers are charging between £650 and £900!
I'll refrain from the usual wisecracks about Lucky Ganesh (TM) Brand Pipes or those legendary Peshawari pipemakers, Messrs. O'Nahasapeemapetlan ; )
Just know that you need to have a good working relationship with your pipemaker, and that you need to be able to reach him or her frequently for things like reeds, advice, and repairs. Long distance phone calls to Peshawar or Islamabad in the small hours of the morning are probably not the best use of your time and resources.
Get yourself an experienced mentor, too, and the sooner the better. It will make a world of difference.
I don't know if this price is typical, but I paid £500 for mine practice set from Chris. As it happened he had one virtually ready - always seems to have pipes and components at various stages of manufacture.
I spent a couple of hours with him, asked him all the questions and found himvery helpful. At the end of this first meeting I took my set home with me, so I didn't have to wait at all. I just gave him a couple of weeks notice that I was coming down to see him interested.
The quality is very good and everyone I've spoken to since says that he makes good pipes. I've had no real problems other than me not understanding reeds in the first instance and he soon taught me enough to get me going. My chanter is sweet sounding, light to play and requires little bag pressure, which many agree is a good thing for when it comes to the drones. I'm now about to order my drones, which I believe will only take about 4 - 8 weeks, because he always has pipes part manufactured..
In short Chris has been making pipes for donkey's year and I think his pipes are technically sound and great value for money.
I would again stress that striking up a relationship with your pipemaker is the most important consideration.
I know he's in Ireland but I would thoroughly recommend Mickey Dunne of Limerick for pipes. He is a very helpful friendly man and his pipes are really fantastic.
I have a wonderful practice set I purchased from David Daye in Settle, Washington. I paid $500 dollars for them. I have no complaints whatsoever! I'm on his waiting list for my drones. Go to Google, then David Daye Piper.
UK Uilleann pipers
UK Uilleann pipers
I've been itching to get a practice set of Uilleann pipes for ages though I can't really afford the prices that are being asked in the UK or Ireland (£600 - £800). I have recently seen that Hobgoblin sell practice sets of UIlleann pipes that are made in Pakistan for about £350. These pipes are made from African blackwood with silver nickel ferrels and come with a leather bag. As they seem to be made of the right materials, are they cheap purely because of their country of manufacture? or do you think the workmanship may possibly be poor. Obviously you can't rightly say without seeing a set or hearing them play, but any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Andy Taylor.
# Posted on October 27th 2005 by Aberandy
Re: UK Uilleann pipers
Avoid like the plague; not up to scratch from what I've been told
# Posted on October 27th 2005 by Conán McDonnell
Re: UK Uilleann pipers
Thanks Conán. I was once told they were a bit crap but I wanted a second (or more...) opinion.
# Posted on October 27th 2005 by Aberandy
Re: UK Uilleann pipers
I've recently had a practice set made in the UK, being a newbie to piping. Everyone I've spoken to says avoid the Pakistani ones like the plague. One important consideration is that you need to establish a relationship with your pipemaker. I would have been in the mire without being able to go back to mine for advice, help and reed adjustments. When it's time to move on to a half set, it's better to get the drones from the same maker so that the whole kit is balanced.
I'm extremely happy with my practice set now that I know a little bit more about the instrument, have had the chance to use it for a few weeks and have had the benefit of exoerienced piper's help here and there.
There are many good pipemakers in England. I got mine from Chris Bayley in Surrey. (http://www.bagpipeworld.co.uk/) You may find that you are able to pick up a practice set from him for a good price, depending on what he has ready/part ready.
# Posted on October 27th 2005 by halfirish
Re: UK Uilleann pipers
Thanks halfirish. Can I be cheeky and ask?..... How much did Chris charge you? I see on his web he only wants £450 for a practice set. Do you feel that you got quality for your money. And how long did you have to wait?
If you got a practice set for £450 that are quality i'd be suprised as so many other makers are charging between £650 and £900!
# Posted on October 27th 2005 by Aberandy
Re: UK Uilleann pipers
I'll refrain from the usual wisecracks about Lucky Ganesh (TM) Brand Pipes or those legendary Peshawari pipemakers, Messrs. O'Nahasapeemapetlan ; )
Just know that you need to have a good working relationship with your pipemaker, and that you need to be able to reach him or her frequently for things like reeds, advice, and repairs. Long distance phone calls to Peshawar or Islamabad in the small hours of the morning are probably not the best use of your time and resources.
Get yourself an experienced mentor, too, and the sooner the better. It will make a world of difference.
Good luck!
# Posted on October 27th 2005 by Hanley
Re: UK Uilleann pipers
Aberandy
I don't know if this price is typical, but I paid £500 for mine practice set from Chris. As it happened he had one virtually ready - always seems to have pipes and components at various stages of manufacture.
I spent a couple of hours with him, asked him all the questions and found himvery helpful. At the end of this first meeting I took my set home with me, so I didn't have to wait at all. I just gave him a couple of weeks notice that I was coming down to see him interested.
The quality is very good and everyone I've spoken to since says that he makes good pipes. I've had no real problems other than me not understanding reeds in the first instance and he soon taught me enough to get me going. My chanter is sweet sounding, light to play and requires little bag pressure, which many agree is a good thing for when it comes to the drones. I'm now about to order my drones, which I believe will only take about 4 - 8 weeks, because he always has pipes part manufactured..
In short Chris has been making pipes for donkey's year and I think his pipes are technically sound and great value for money.
I would again stress that striking up a relationship with your pipemaker is the most important consideration.
Good luck with your endeavours
# Posted on October 28th 2005 by halfirish
Re: UK Uilleann pipers
I know he's in Ireland but I would thoroughly recommend Mickey Dunne of Limerick for pipes. He is a very helpful friendly man and his pipes are really fantastic.
Lizzy (Limerick, formerly Cambridge)
# Posted on October 28th 2005 by Lizzy
Re: UK Uilleann pipers
Thanks all, for your replies. I think I'll go with halfirish and give Chris Bailey a call when I've finished saving a few quid.
# Posted on October 28th 2005 by Aberandy
Re: UK Uilleann pipers
I have a wonderful practice set I purchased from David Daye in Settle, Washington. I paid $500 dollars for them. I have no complaints whatsoever! I'm on his waiting list for my drones. Go to Google, then David Daye Piper.
He comes very highly recommended!
Good luck!
dfb
# Posted on October 31st 2005 by dfbird