Dunbar P1

[JimB]

Ok, I'm only starting out, and don't worry, I'm not buying anything until my instructor says so, but I've been poking around trying to find a good set of pipes that won't just kill the budget (when that great day comes!)
What about a set of Dunbar P1s? They seem to me to be good and relatively inexpensive.
What do you think? Anything better out there for the money?

I need to focus my jones on something!

[Spartan]

Being in the same boat, so to speak, thanks for asking that question. I'm looking forward to the discussion.

I just saw another thread. Check the discussion on this: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/c...x.html?t=40867
Check Mr Woolery post today (01-15-09)

[Nighthawk]

I had the great furtune of meeting Angus Richardson of Brother over the summer. He was playing a set of P1's and said that he swears by them. So take that for what it's worth, but I'm saving for a set myself.

[Mr. Woolery]

I guess it partly depends on what you are going to do to them. The thread referenced by Spartan has my take, based on what matters to me. My advice is just not to assume that plastic pipes are the only acceptable way to get the price under a grand. If you actually want plastic pipes for some reason, get the Dunbars and enjoy them. If you want pipes but are not sure about the material, think strongly about getting wooden pipes. They do sound different (I believe better, though your opinion matters more if it is your money) and wood will mature in sound quality over time.

That said, see if you can manage an upgrade to a blackwood chanter. If you get one at the time you get the pipes, it will generally add only about $100 to the price, as opposed to $300 down the road when you decide that you really want the wood chanter. There is a very real difference in sound between the plastic and the wood in the chanter and nobody who can hear accurately will deny that. The plastic is brighter (and a little harsher to my ear) and can be a little grating. The wood is a little quieter and mellower, but still has plenty of volume. Wood will also get better with years of playing. I would rather use plastic drones and a wood chanter than wood drones and a plastic chanter. And if you join a band, they will almost certainly issue you a plastic chanter anyway. So, you play the band chanter for band purposes and the good chanter for your pleasure.

Also, ask around. Are you planning to join a band? If so, ask at band practice if anyone has a set of pipes gathering dust. Sometimes an older set may not be gorgeous to look at, but can have a maturity of sound that means it should be worth a lot more than they seem to sell for. Pipers will often sell old pipes cheap to a new piper who they believe will actually play them. While you are at it, check the Dunsire forum Trading Post regularly. I've seen very nice chanters go for fairly low prices (my dad now owns one that was supposedly once owned by Alasdair Gillies, but the important thing about it is that it is a very good chanter and didn't cost an arm and a leg) and even seen sets of pipes sell for pretty cheap. Beware, however, a used bagpipe isn't always cheaper than a new one. I keep seeing Dunbar poly pipes up for sale in the $800-$1000 range and that's what they sell for new. Why do I keep seeing those same plastic pipes being offered for sale? My guess is the owners are upgrading to blackwood.

Do your research on current prices. I have found sources for McCallum pipes (what I play) for about 50% more than I spent on the same instrument! One retailer will have the purpose of getting good pipes into the hands of people who will play them, another will want to charge all he can. So, one source isn't going to have the same prices as another. The sources I give in the other thread are the best prices I have found, but I'm not really covering every source. Both retailers I link to are reputable and reliable folks. If you are uncertain about the reputation of a seller, check on Dunsire and ask if anyone else has had experience with him/her/them.

Your instructor has probably already told you to get the pipes you will want to play ten years from now. Worth thinking about.

I only meant to make a quick note and I've written a chapter of a book! Sorry!

-Patrick

[Balaamsass51]

Not a bagpipe player myself, but I'd like to mention pipes made by Duncan Souter of Scotland. Have met him at the Grandfather Mt Games in NC, seems like a nice fellow and my son has a chanter from him. His pipes sound ok to me. (I know, not much of a recommendation)

Anyway, his entry pipes DS-1 are listed at 520lbs which is 776 dollars. So I agree that Dunbars are not the only option. Carolina Celt carries these pipes, as do many others.

FWIW

Matt H.

Matt H.

[Piper]

I play a set of Dunbar P-3s, as well as a set of ABW Kintails. They do have a different sound, but I wouldn't rank one above the other for quality of sound. It's just a different sound.
The Dunbars were my first set. My decision wasn't based on price, since blackwood pipes can be had for a similar price, used for even less. I had an eye towards durability. With 11 grandkids, and a hobby that involves a lot of camping, I wasn't sure how much abuse blackwood pipes could take.
The Dunbar P pipes are all the same as far as bore size, both drone and chanter, the difference being in the trim level. P-1's sound just like P-3's. If Dunbar's your choice, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[JimB]

Wow! Lots of good information here. A special thanks to you Mr. Woolery!

[Mr. Woolery]

Piper, you make a very good point that plastic pipes do have a place in the world. In particular, if kids are going to trip over them, you don't want delicate and irreplaceable pipes where they can be stomped on! Camping, same thing. Though, I prefer something like Shuttle Pipes for camping, myself. I do not mean to tell anyone that plastic pipes are bad, as they are not. I only mean to make sure people don't equate plastic with economy without actually looking at the prices and options.

As far as durability goes, someone on Dunsire once pointed out that bagpipes have been taken into wars just about anywhere the British Empire ever went and the instruments have survived. If they can take army camp conditions in India, they can take just about anything that they are going to encounter in our lives today, given basic care and precautions. For me, I put my pipes in a heavy, solid, hard case and my kids know to ask before they mess with the case. Since I have allowed them to handle the pipes with supervision whenever they ask, they know there's no mystery in the box. My pipes are unlikely to ever be damaged through child-induced trauma. Much more likely that I'll forget to duck when going through a doorway or something like that. I don't play my pipes in weather that I am not comfortable being in myself, so that's not likely to be a factor, really. My choice is to use the wood and be careful with it. But other choices are just as valid. I just want to remind people that there is a choice, they are not stuck with one option if they can't afford more than $800.

Matt, thanks for the reminder about Soutar! I've thought for a while about picking up a set of his 3/4 pipes (in the blackwood option) for my daughter, who will be on pipes in about another year. If no other bargain presents itself, I probably will. I'll have to remember to include him next time I go on one of these "plastic isn't cheaper" rants. Actually, you further prove my point for me in noting that there are more than just two makers who put out a good product for the same price range as the Dunbars.

-Patrick

[Prester John]

My son and I both own Dunbar's Polypenco pipes, he competes with them!

They are a great investment, and will serve you well for many years.

[kypnkilt]

Dunbar P1's are are plain (cosmetically speaking). Not beaded and combed on the drones. Nice and smooth. It is correct that they pretty much sound the same as P3's, and are very good starter sets.

As for other sets if and when you decide to upgrade, your options are broad. You can in fact find good, decent used pipes on E-Bay if you are careful and ask questions. I bought an older (homemade) cocobolo set for less than $400 that plays awesome from there.

Also, at Dunsire forums in their Classifieds section, you can find many pipes/chanters/etc at fraction of the cost. I have seen several Dunbar P3's go for under $900 or less recently. Good source for looking for used but good pipes.

The next option is a little different. Mostly recommended for veteran pipers or those that have good instructors that can help out. Build your own. Basically, you buy the sticks and stocks only. This is cost effective if funds need to be stretched out over a period of time. I have done this numerous times and it helps the pocket book. You find what you are looking for and purchase the sticks and stocks (no bag, bag cover, cords and chanter). That is the basic need. From there get a bag; some like hide, hide with zipper, hide with zipper and grommets. Synthetic bags with zippers and/or grommets. Lot of choices. Once you have the drones and stocks you can pace your spending by getting the preferred bag, bag cover, cords, and chanter. The chanter is important. Some want poly or ABW, it all depends on cost and what you might want or is recommended by your band or instructor.

Right now I have a set of Hardies (ABW) using a Shepard ABW chanter and my cocobolo set using a Warnock poly chanter. I have a set of ABW Duncan Soutars DS-4's coming in a month or so...sticks and stocks only.

Here are some pipe makers (sticks and stocks available) that I have purchased from in the past with no regrets:

Wallace
Duncan Soutar (I like their DS-4 series)
MacLellan (Expensive, but very nice. Especially their chalice tops)
St. Kilda (St. Kilda, Hardies and Henderson...same company)
Gibson and McCullams aren't bad, but I have no experience with these brands.

The Wallace pipes are somewhat under-rated in my opinion. They're well made and sound great. One brand of pipes that is up and coming with rave reviews is Colin Kyo pipes (a little pricey though).

Bottom line is that Dunbar P1's are a great first set to get you going. The above suggestions is when you are ready for that upgrade, you have several options that can be cheaper in the long run.

Good Luck and and have fun.