Dunbar P1

[Firetacoma]

I play a set of Dunbar P3s. Synthetic drone reeds, zippered canmore bag. No complaints.

[MadBagpiper]

P1's are the real deal for beginners!
I also play a set of Antique Edition pipes by MacLellan and they are of superior quality but in playing those pipes, I can fully appreciate the Dunbars for what they are. They are extremely reliable and won't change tuning and they'll sound just fine in any climate or altitude. They are also reliabel in the fact that maintance is little to none! With a synthetic bag and drone reeds, those pipes can be played in any condition that you could possibly think of (within reason that is). The harmonics are very solid and they have good tonality and with a good chanter and reed setup these pipes can really hum! Whilst on the subject of the chanter, Dunbar doesn't make a very good chanter. It's not terrible but there are much better options out there. I have found that a MacCallum chanter works very well with these pipes as for reeds the MacCallum can take a broad variety of reeds and sound really nice.
Best Wishes!

[Brother Falldown]

Got my P1s from Oliver over at Universe of Bagpipes. I have enjoyed them for years. Sadly, I can not say the same for the neighbors.

[MadBagpiper]

Got my P1s from Oliver over at Universe of Bagpipes. I have enjoyed them for years. Sadly, I can not say the same for the neighbors.

me too, he's great.

[Piobair]

I think P1's are an excellent investment for younger players, bands, beginners, or people who want something durable. While there are certainly examples of blackwood and ebony pipes that have survivied the trenches and deserts, there are plenty of cracked stocks and snapped pins that have been unceremoniously glued or, worse, binned.

I'm of the opinion that the vast majority of pipers don't know why a set of pre-war Hendersons sound "better" than McCallums (or even Dunbar polys) made last week. I've seen many players with just a few years of experience deciding that one make sounds more "vibrant" than another without any justification beyond knowing that a certain brand is known for sounding good. Anyone worth their salt will tell you how hard it is to pick a particular pipe out of a line-up of well made instruments. If you heard Angus MacColl playing a set of Naills, Kintails, or Hendersons from behind a screen, could you pick out each pipe? What if there were cane reeds in the Naills and Rocket (synthetic) reeds in the Kintails and Selbies in the Hendersons? Hide bag or canmore? A Ross bag? Is it raining? Is it dry? Add to the fact that some pipes tend to be a little bolder (Henderson drones/bores are often used as the example), while some tend to be a bit mellower (MacDougall, certain vintages of Lawrie, Robertson), and you've already got plenty of permutations to worry about.

If the above concepts don't even make sense yet (and don't worry - they shouldn't), then you're not at a place where tone is your priority when buying a pipe. Your first pipe should be the easiest to play. A basic set of Dunbar's (poly or ABW), McCallum, or Naills are all worth considering, as they will more often than not have a decent sound and a reputable maker backing them if something breaks. Worry about the differences between sound when (or IF) you start competing; your job now is to learn how to play. I can't tell you how many times I've seen gorgeous pipes being played by people that can't tune them or blow steady tone - in some cases they can't even hemp them properly. I personally reccomend blackwood drones and poly chanters for at least the first few years, but delrin is a fine choice. Wait for a judge (or better piper) to tell you when it's time to upgrade.

When it comes time to buy pipes (about 6 months - year after starting on the PC, or when you've mastered half a dozen tunes), there are loads of places to go for information. While your instructor (and even forums like this one) should be able to give you advice, some of the best people to speak with are retailers who have sold literally hundreds of sets to beginners like yourself. The Pipers Hut and Tone Czar stand out in my mind for not only prices and customer service, but the expertise of their owners (Jon Maffet and Chris Hamilton, respectively).

At the end of the day, many people don't know what good piping sounds like, as more often than not they've only been exposed to poor playing. Those not already fond of the instrument expact a certain level of "cat yowling" to go on. A good piper will change that bias. A bad piper will confirm it.

So pick up your chanter and practice - practice, practice, practice. Listen to skilled players and talk to experienced pipers. Then practice some more. Go to a local games (if you can find one) and try to listen to the "elite" soloists (usually grade II, I, and open). Find out what they're playing or, better yet, what they -would- play of they had to do it all over again. And then practice. For most pipers, you start your career with the practice chanter and end it with the practice chanter. It is the one piece of equipment that you'll always have. Learn to love it.



PS - Practice.

[JimB]

Piobair,
Thanks for the detailed response. I'll take it to heart.
I AM committed to learning this. I have some other questions but I'll post those separately.
Thanks again!

[Firetacoma]

I need to get myself re-motivated. I have been at it for about 3 years and recently have been slipping in my practice. It's something I really want to do but don't feel like I have the time it requires to learn. It's frustrating when it should be fun!

[SteveB]

I am with Piobair. I am a beginner, and hope to be competent with a large range of tunes on the practice chanter long before looking for a set of pipes. I have two practice chanters, one is a McCallum long in polypentco, which is good for riding around in my vehicle. (It takes one full round of the scale with gracenotes for the traffic light at the foot of my street to change.) My Dunbar long in Blackwood is used in the house and at sessions with the tutor, and some day in two or three years, with the band. I know that I am ready for the pipes when my tutor asks me to start on them, and not until then.
The first impression that you deliver with the pipes is a lasting one, make it a good one. Practice, practice, practice.
Piobair, where in Boston?
Slainte

[Mr. Woolery]

I hope I never said that Dunbar pipes are bad. They are not. Well, okay, the chanter doesn't suit my tastes very well, but the drones are the relevant part anyway. My only point is that there are other options out there that are at least as good and often a bit cheaper. Even some in African Blackwood. For less money than plastic. Worth a thought.

If you have an instructor, ask for a suggestion as to what pipes you should consider. For example, my teacher was unhappy to hear that a particular student just bought P1s, not because she dislikes the pipes themselves, but because this student will have trouble with the weight of them. He's 92 and there are pipes out there for no more money that weigh half as much. But he just had to get a set of pipes and someone told him beginners should start with Dunbars... Ask your teacher first.

If you don't have a teacher, you need to talk to some other pipers before you shell out for a set of pipes. Try theirs. Listen to them. Pick them up and feel how heavy one set is versus another. My home has three sets of bagpipes. My pipes weigh about 9 pounds. My son's pipes are about the same. The set I started with, which was my dad's first set, weigh about 6 pounds. All with similar hide bags, all blackwood. Difference in this case is the decorations. BUT, the P1s weigh at least as much because they are so thick and the material is heavy to begin with.

And also consider what factors will add to your enjoyment of the pipes. If you don't really like your pipes, you will play them less often. If you would never wear a wool kilt because you figure you're going to be spilling beer and food on it anyway and don't want to take proper care of it, you can go ahead and get plastic pipes. If you take care of your things and enjoy the fine details, wooden pipes are probably a better way to go, even for a first set. I'll play my wooden pipes anywhere that I'd be willing to stand or march for an extended time in a kilt and argyle jacket, so the weather issue isn't an issue for me.

The reason I most often see put forth to suggest Dunbars is the price. The claim is that they are ever so much cheaper than anything else on the market. That just isn't so and my beef isn't with the pipes, but the price comparison.

In the end, you will spend close to a grand on a starter set of pipes by the time you have a case, spare chanter reeds, roll of hemp, and the assorted bits and bobs you will want to have. Make sure they really are the right pipes for you before you shell out that kind of dough.

-Patrick

[george7]

When you can hear the difference between plastic and blackwood, you'll be ready to upgrade.