Sort of a DIY/Celtic Music thing

**auld argonian** · 23rd January 07, 11:33 AM

Okay...I actually bought a set of those made-in-the-Far-East "parlour pipes in D" from an ebay seller.

Now...first...before all of the real genuine pipers start to dump on me, I got these for WELL below the asking price...and I do mean WELL...and I knew that they were going to be at the least problematical and at the worst totally unplayable. I got them basically to look at them and see what the deal was in terms of how the things work. I intend to try to get them up and running and then begin to make improved replacement parts for each component until I have essentially built a set of smallpipes one bit at a time.

For the rest of you guys who are toying with buying some of those instruments from out there....I'm doing this so that you won't have to. Knowing this bunch, however, I'm sure that somebody else will probably do something this dumb so I'll have company.

So...what did I get? The wooden parts are made of some dark brown wood that I can't identify just now...the cosmetic work is sort of acceptable but the actual working aspects of it (how the joints fit, how centered the bores are, how well finished the interiors of the bores are) are moderately shabby. The bag looks like goatskin...the goat probably regrets his involvement...and it could be neater though the spots where the chanter, blowpipe and drone parts are tied in are quite solid. Came with the genuine reed drone reeds so I'm fiddling around trying to get them started. The chanter reeds are one plastic, two genuine reed reeds. And the popular opinion that these things smells funny is true...can't tell if it's the wood or the leather or both but it's getting a good airing...fortunately, it doesn't smell like anything went biologically bad or got moldy so I'm not considering it a biohazard.

So the adjusting begins. I can already see that I'm going to have to find some other drone reeds and will probably take a shot at building some plastic ones early on in this project.

Let's see how it goes...I have a reasonably good background in playing and maintaining woodwinds and the internet is, as usual, a great source of resources and ideas. Should be fun...if occaisionally frustrating.

Best

AA

**thescot** · 23rd January 07, 12:01 PM

Keep us posted. I bought a full set of foreign pipes for the same reason a while back, knowing full well what I was getting, but since things worked out where I haven't been able to get to the chanter enough to learn how to really play, I'm glad I haven't spent a fortune--YET--on real pipes.

From what I know, I think you're facing the following:
* you'll need to season the bag
* you'll probably need a valve to stop backflow from the bag; the leather flap that came with mine didn't work, and it wouldn't hold any air at all.
* You may have to buy some drone reeds. Stick with the synthetic reeds all around if you can.

Roughness may affect overall timbre, but not pitch, so I wouldn't worry about the inside of the pipes. If the joints are loose, buy some waxed hemp to seal it up.

good luck! I wish Chicago was closer to Atlanta.

**haukehaien** · 23rd January 07, 12:08 PM

In general those are not worth the money ... however, they can be fun, if you get a halfway decent set. The major problem is the lack of workmanship and the total lack of quality control. I say this as someone who owns a set and who has had to work to make them play better. You've got your work cut out for you, but if you take it easy and have fun, you'll like it.

Here's what I've done to mine:
New pipe bag cover and drone cord. The horrible, horrible Royal Stewart-like covers that (usually - I see that some have other tartans now) come with these made my eyes bleed, so I replaced those.
Cost: pretty cheap - I got fabric remnants and sewed them myself.
Effect: entirely cosmetic

New drone reeds. I use the brass drone reeds from Song of the Sea and love how they sound. They make the little pipes hum like the world's largest bumblebee - it's great.
Cost: ~$30
Effect: much nicer and more reliable sound.

Polishing the drone bores. I used a gun cleaning rod (.22 caliber) and varying grits of sandpaper, finishing with steel wool. I've given thought to sleeving the drones with brass hobby tubing as well.
Cost: time and effort (I had the supplies already)
Effect: nicer (and louder) sound

Drilling out the chanter stock so that I can use my Dunbar PC in it. Not too difficult if you take your time, and it sounds a lot louder than the chanter that came with it.
Cost: time
Effect: better balance between chanter and drones.

I'm currently working on modifying the original chanter to be even louder, boring it out and drilling the holes larger. So far it's going okay, but keeping it in tune is tricky.

Good luck!

**auld argonian** · 23rd January 07, 12:53 PM

Hmmmm...lining the drones with brass (or copper) tubing stock...sounds like an expedient alternative. And one of those companies that makes the tubing is here in Chicago (K&S). As I think of it, one of the nicest things about my PVC D flute from Doug Tipple (and I recommend his stuff...suh-weet flute!) is that it's PVC with a copper tubing joint. I'm dealing with about a 5/32 diameter on the drones so I'd have to drill them out and figure out which size has the 5/32 inner diameter.

And as to Atlanta, I pretty much decided that I'm goint to fly out there and rent a car for the Stone Mountain Highland Games...too many of you guys showing up for that and I want to be around to make sure that you're not having TOO good of a time. Hopefully, I'd have these puppies sorted out by then...let's see them get though the metal detector with the brass tubing inserts. TSA guy: "What the hell is this?"

Best

AA

**Splash_4** · 23rd January 07, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

TSA guy: "What the hell is this?"

An octopus dressed for dinner?

**RakesOfMallow** · 23rd January 07, 01:23 PM

If you already own a set of pipes, you can order parlor sticks for your standard bag for around $400. I know it sounds like alot, but this allows you to use your regular bag, drone stocks, blow stick etc and only switch out the drones and chanter. I sound like a bloody advertisement...if you want to know where to get them just ask.

-Tom