Bagpipes

[KWD]

So I am learning to play, been a while now, lots of practicing on a chanter, I am getting close to moving onto the pipes and wondered if anyone had a "used" set they would mind parting with for a reasonable price.

yes i know they are expensive, I am willing to make the purchase if the price is right. other wise I will buy new.

Please PM me with what you may have to offer..

Thank you in advance

Kyle

[Gael Ridire]

I'd sell you the one's I have (had a throat injury and throat partially paralyzed) but my wife would have a fit and probably my sons too. So I won't. But some advice. More and more pipes are being made in Pakistan, etc., and this is with some of the vendors in Scotland. One will pay the same for bad pipes as for good pipes. First thing is to make sure that the pipes are made of "black African wood", this type of wood is very hard and makes for excellent drones, but the wood is becoming scarce. 2) Be sure that the drones wood is not cracked due to drying out (not having been played) or dry climate. 3) Pipes shouldn't be played in weather under 50 degrees because the cold is very hard on the reeds. 4) Make sure the bladder isn't rotted from moisture. Hope this helps.

[The Monk]

Go to the Trading Post on the Bob Dunsire bagpipe forums. Lots of used pipes posted there from reputable sellers.

[castledangerous]

First thing is to make sure that the pipes are made of "black African wood", this type of wood is very hard and makes for excellent drones, but the wood is becoming scarce. <snip>

You might be confusing the issue, since the wood is called African Blackwood or mpingo, not "black African wood" Cocobolo wood is also commonly used these days.

[Gael Ridire]

Thanks for the clarification.

[Neil Clark]

If you are a beginner, buying used is fraught with danger. Unfortunately, just because a set is old and beautiful, with silver and ivory, doesnt mean they will sound ok. Even worse than that, many represented as "Henderson/Lawrie", aren't.

And, as a beginner, you won't really know the difference in tone (sorry, but true)

I've been playing for 43 years, and I'd need to be 100% satisfied with absolutely every angle before I bought old pipes over the net. - And I'm supposed to know what I'm looking for.

If you want, I can detail basic pointers, things to look for, and look out for.

However, as a first time buyer, I would strongly reccomend you buy new, and from one of the larger suppliers. McCallums offer a 5 year guarentee, pipes are good, and after sales service won't be beaten anywhere

[KWD]

Thank you for all the advice, I believe I will be buying new. It just seems like the right thing to do after reading all your posts.

[English Bloke]

McCallum's Poly Pipes (Black Acetyl click to link...) are a great starter set, light on maintenance and pretty much unbreakable. They come with varying trim and options depending on your budget (mine are P1's with a bit of added bling) and you can always upgrade to a Blackwood set later. You can contact them via the contact link on their page.

If you want a custom set of wood pipes now, as well as tremendous quality and value, have a look at the made to order pipes by
Doug MacPherson. You can email him for details but you'll find his prices are very reasonable.

[rsvpiper]

I'd second/third the McCallum route i play them myself i've had dealings with them visited the factory and their customer service is tops, none of this we've had yer money now F off and with new you do get that piece of mind that IF owt goes wrong they will sort them out......Oh and they really do make a nice bagpipe

Juss my 2p