Pipes Ordered

**mull** · 5th August 10, 08:28 AM

I have not posted much for the last four months as I traded all of my internet time for a practice chanter. I joined a local pipe band and have been doing my best to learn to play pipes.

Last night, at the end of my lesson I was given the green light to order pipes. Today my wallet is empty and somewhere on the east coast (NJ, I think) a box is preparing to come my way.

I am told the real work is just beginning, but the jonesing is full on!

**Donsel** · 5th August 10, 08:34 AM

Could I ask what make of pipes you ordered. I also am in the process of putting an order together but I am waffleing ,or some may say procrastinating, on what make to get. Budget eliminates some makes right off the bat, of course. Do you have a wait time as well?

**mull** · 5th August 10, 09:03 AM

I ordered a set of Wallace pipes and they were an "in stock" item. They should go out tommorow, after being tied up and readied for delivery.

Jones time should only be a few days for ground delivery.

**OC Richard** · 7th August 10, 05:19 AM

You've probably made a good choice with Wallace pipes, as I've heard nothing but good things about them.

We're in such a "golden age" of pipemaking today! We have great USA makers like Kron, Gibson, Cushing, Atherton, and MacLellan. And great Canadian, English, and of course Scottish makers.

I myself, just two days ago, picked up an early Lawrie set probably from the 1881-1900 period. They had been on a wall hanging over somebody's fireplace for many years. They're ebony wood, with real ivory projecting mounts, and thistle-engraved nickel ferrules, slides, and endcaps.

Rather than the original Lawrie chanter they have a 1960's/1970's Hardie chanter which the original Lawrie sole has been affixed to.

By the way, what sort of bag are you going with? I have a "roohide" (kangaroo) bag that I'm going to try. I've heard good things about roohide bags.

**ragged tiger** · 7th August 10, 07:49 AM

Good luck with your piping--it is really a great activity. It sounds like you going about things the right way by starting off with a quality set of pipes.

**mull** · 8th August 10, 12:52 PM

Richard,
I upgraded to a Bannatyne bag at the advice of my instructor. He said it was an ok bag to start out on.

It should be delivered just about the time I get home from work tomorrow, so I hope to have pics soon.

I am also glad to hear you say you have heard good things about Wallace as the brand is not much know here and I was going on internet research and a few calls to Scotland to check their reputation.

Joe

**ohiopiper** · 10th August 10, 12:37 AM

Good for you! Just don't rush it. Playing the pipes is altogether different from a PC. You've got an instructor, so the transition will be smoothed out some for you.

Your instructor/PM will likely tell you the same things, but here are my suggestions:

Keep up with regular PC practice. Add in a few minutes on the pipes with just one tenor drone. You should soon get to a place where the pitch does not waver.

Add the second tenor drone. Practice tuning them to each other and playing so pitch does not waver. Changes in pressure will be more evident now that there are two drones going.

Cork off both tenors and open up the bass. It consumes air at a rate that will astound a new piper. The bass alone uses more volume of air than both tenors and chanter combined. Play until the pitch does not waver.

Add tenors.

Cork off all drones and sound the chanter. Not much volume of air, but much higher pressure than a PC or even the drones. When you are able to blow steady, tune the chanter.

Add tenors to chanter. Tune them to the chanter.

Add bass. Tune it to the chanter.

Now sit down with your instructor and fiddle with the reeds and bridles so the pipe runs at amximum efficiency. Your should be able to shut off your drones with a sharp squeeze. If you're unable to shut down the drones by overblowing, they're probably consuming way too much air. A more efficient pipe is much easier to play.

**kypnkilt** · 10th August 10, 04:48 PM

Wallace are indeed very good pipes of good quality. I've said it before (on Dunsire) and I'll say it again....they are under-rated. My friend has a set and they sound great. He plays with a Shepard ABW chanter like I do. Very good sound. Have fun with them!!

**OC Richard** · 15th August 10, 05:56 AM

Yes it's so strange how some makes of pipes are well-known in certain regions, while other makes (equally good) might be obscure.

Seems that Wallace pipes are well-known and popular in Scotland but around here nobody plays them.

We see a lot of McCallums and Gibsons in the hands of new pipers here, plus New Hendersons.

We do have some interesting new pipes around, for example four or five recent sets of Cushings, a magnificent full silver set of MacLellans, and a couple sets of Athertons.

Of our up-and-coming top local solo competitors one plays Gibsons and one plays Cushings.

I've been playing a lovely full-engraved-aluminum set of African Blackwood Dunbars for five or six years now. Everyone who sees and hears them is impressed but nobody knows the maker- they think Dunbar only makes poly pipes!

And I had a set of Doug MacPherson pipes for a time, which are unheard of around here.

About the roohide bag, I tied it in but it was the wrong size and shape for me. I'd like to find a roodhide bag in a suitable size/shape for me.

About Bannatyne bags, I had one, the type that's a synthetic bag fused onto a leather bag. I'm a very "wet blower" and that bag held in too much moisture for me. The best bag I think I've played was a Gannaway, but it fell apart after a couple years of playing.

I'm having a lot of fun playing my "new" c1900 Lawries.

**highland mafia** · 15th August 10, 07:18 AM

You are certainly right about it being a golden age for pipes. You really can't go wrong these days. Any set from a known name is most always going to be a quality instrument. And with I think all makers offering excellant service and warranties well.. You're going to be happy most times. My first set of pipes were Kintails when I was about 8 yrs old. My next set was a old set of Gillanders. Now I play McCallums. And of the three pipes I think the McCallums are the best in terms of quality. And with the huge advances in piping tech. Moisture control, great bags both leather and gortex, valves, reed tech itself is amazing stuff. I remember when I was a kid everything was cane reeds with a peice of hair in the tongue, seasoned leather bags, and a little leather flapper valve. It's a wonder they ever worked at all! LOL..