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21st November 12, 10:01 AM
#1
Looking for a set of Dunbar P3s
hey gang,
I've been away from piping for...well, a while and it is time. Yeah, I know...WAY PAST time. I live in Colorado where it is really low himidity and the dryness raises havoc with wood instruments. Sooo I've been considering polypenco. I understand they are bomb-proof as far as the enviromnment is concerned. What I don't know is how they sound. Back in the day I had a set of R. G. Hardie's and they were awesome! Warm, full, perfect for piobaireachd until everyting started to crack - (got 'em used and apparently they set in a basement for 10 years and dryed out). So anyone with that experience would be greatly appreciated.
Secondly, IF they sound decent, then does anyone have a line on a set of P3s for under $800?
Thirdly, When I was playing, it was still old-school - L&M bag and leather flapper valve. I don't know the first thing about all the newfangled synthetic bags and water traps - not to mention synthetic reeds! Told you it had been a while
Last edited by cclarkcolo; 21st November 12 at 10:02 AM.
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21st November 12, 12:11 PM
#2
Dunbar polypenco pipes have the same bore specifications as Dunbar's African blackwood pipes and they sound very much the same. The polypenco pipes are a bit louder than the ABW version and the sound has a slightly more aggressive edge to it. On the whole, most people, including most pipers, wouldn't be able to tell whether you were playing polypenco or blackwood. We have several sets in our band (Dunbar and MacCallum) and they blend indistinguishably with the other drones. The main drawback to polypenco pipes is that condensation in the drones tends to be more severe than in wooden pipes, largely because the plastic is totally non-absorbent. In Colorado's dry climate, though, this shouldn't be much of a problem. Henderson Harmonic synthetic reeds sound very nice in the Dunbar polys. Given your dry climate, there is no reason why you shouldn't use an L & M hide bag. These have been improved since the "old days" and now require much less seasoning. Your pipes will likely be delivered with a flapper valve, but this will be made of synthetic material rather than leather. The modern flapper valves are much more reliable and are not prone to rotting the way the leather ones were.
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22nd November 12, 08:59 AM
#3
I just got back in the game recently, too. While I don't have any first hand experience with their poly pipes, I did have to replace my blackwood practice chanter this summer and I have been mostly happy with the Dunbar long practice chanter I replaced it with. The tone is actually better, though it is tedious to constantly need to drain out the reed chamber and dry the plastic practice reed. The band also uses Dunbar pipe chanters and it also sounds pretty good. If you are a "wetblower" like me there are several moisture control systems out there. There's lots of discussion about poly vs blackwood on this board -- http://forums.bobdunsire.com/forums/index.php
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24th November 12, 08:46 PM
#4
I use a set of Dunbar poly pipes for gigs and such. They sound very good and are remarkably stable, in my opinion. Mine sound good with either full synthetic drone reeds or full cane, but not the mix of cane bass and synthetic tenors often recommended by others. First place I'd check would be Oliver Seeler at Universe of Bagpipes, in Ca. Has good prices and will asnwer any question you may have about what's available. He'll also set up the pipes prior to shipping with whatever bag and reed combination you want. Dunbar is prominently displayed on his web page, but he also deals in many other makers.
I wish I believed in reincarnation. Where's Charles Martel when you need him?
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25th November 12, 04:18 PM
#5
Great Feedback! One more question...
Great Feedback.
One more question - any difference between McCallum and Dunbar?
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29th November 12, 04:43 AM
#6
Sound. Every maker has a slightly different inner profile to their drones, so a set of each will sound slightly different. Blend of tenor and bass will vary. McCallum is usually a little more tenor prominant than Dunbar, who tends to be bass heavy. Best way might be to find soundfiles of each online and have a listen.
I wish I believed in reincarnation. Where's Charles Martel when you need him?
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