Where's your Bagpipes?

[cessna152towser]

I often read posts here from forumites who have been asked the question "Where's your bagpipes?"
I'd never been asked this question until last night over at the airport when I arrived at the Chief Flying Instructor's leaving do. As I walked in, an English lady asked me that very question and I gave her the honest answer that I'd sold them a few years back to pay for flying lessons. The CFI overheard and remarked that bagpipes are the one thing more important in life than flying and that it was high time I bought myself a replacement set. I've been thinking about getting pipes again, but as I'm out of practice, never was much good, and much older now, I feel that expensive pipes can't be justified. Would I get a passable tune out of Frugal Corner pipes?

[PiobBear]

No, you wouldn't.

I'd suggest contacting Kenny McLeod at McCallum's in Kilmarnock; 01563 527002.

[beloitpiper]

My pipes are made by McCallum, and they are wonderful!!! I absolutely love them.

I second PiobBear. McCallums are great!

[ccga3359]

Why are the pipes so expensive yet sporrans are cheap? They come from the same animal and haggis are plentiful, aren't they?

[NSpiper]

I own a set of McCallum pipes as well, and think they are really great. Bagpipes can be kind of expensive, but I couldn't put a price on the enjoyment playing has and continues to bring me. I wouldn't trade them for anything. Just my opinion of course, it is a substantial investment of money and time.

[cajuncelt]

I have to jump on this band wagon too. I also play a set of McCallum Ab2's. Not only are the pipes great, but the customer service is the best. A set of the basic AB0's are also really the cheapest ($800 or so) quality pipes you can find. You will be MISERABLE with a cheap SW Asian set. I guess it depends on how serious you are and whether the sound, maintenance, ect. is important.

[Lambda]

I've been curious about this as well. I've been looking at McCallum and Naill pipes. I'm just kind of curious as to which makers are better than others out there. I see that McCallum already has quite a few votes. Anywho, thanks for the info!

[Kiltedfirepiper]

you could also go to bobdunsire.com trading post and pick up a good set probably alot cheaper than new and you'll know its playable

[Hamish]

Alex, do it if you possibly can. I do SO regret giving up my private lessons all those years ago. The trouble was that I just could not get to grips with learning to read music (there were other problems too, but that was the main one). I still cannot and am convinced I am now too old to start over.

I hope to hear soon that you have re-invested and have resumed playing.

[auld argonian]

I'm just curious about hearing from someone who plays the pipes AND doesn't have an axe to grind in this "Far Eastern versus the 'Real Thing'" discussion AND who has actually tried the FC pipes. Judging by the photos on the FC website, they're selling what looks like the same stuff that other internet dealers...I would expect that it's possible, though, that someone over there might be working up to the tolerances necessary for a set of those pipes to be considered "playable" but not necessarily "excellent".

From what I heard over the past weekend at the Highland Games, even the name-brand pipes end up needing modifications to suit the individual player and to fit in with a band's sound. We've heard that someone in the forum did get a set of the "Far-Eastern" pipes "playable" after a certain amount of re-adjusting and part substitutions.

I'm not trying to be pro or con on this topic but I would like to see someone who's a qualified player give an impartial opinion once and for all...

Best

AA