Are There Any Pipers Here?

[Andy Stewart]

I’m a piper as well.

Take her to a local pipe band practice. Preferably a decent one.

[OC Richard]

I'm sorry I didn't see this thread until just now! Way too late for Christmas!

There are two music forums here, which is where I usually look.

I've been piping since 1975, coming up on 50 years now.

I have the thread The Joys and Dangers of Ebay Pipes which, if the whole thing is read through, will give loads of pointers.

For sure for a newbie the safe path is to get a new set of Dunbars or MacLellans especially if you're in North America or Naills, MacRaes (made by McCallum), or the new Hardie/Hendersons (made by St Kilda) especially if you're in the UK.

McCallum has made a name with their extraordinary Customer Service, but any of the makers mentioned would stand behind their pipes.

For me, new pipes seem overpriced when I can pick up a super-playing vintage set for half what a new set costs.

I recently sold my great-playing 1940s unknown pipes for around $700 on Ebay.

The two sets I currently play were each got for around $800, one set from c1930 by RG Lawrie Glasgow and the other set quite old-looking (they could be anywhere from the late 19th century to the mid 20th) by H Starck London. I wouldn't trade either set for any new set.