I am also just starting out and did a bunch of research. I decided on McCallums and got the AB4's. I have been a mechanical designer for over 20 years and I actually felt the manufacturing techniques used by McCallum (full CNC machines) would provide more consistency. I was interested in pipes by Dave Atherton also, but I have four little kids and am the sole wage earner in the family.

The pipes are beautiful and sound great to my untrained ear. I bought mine through The Piper's Hut as the owner, John, took time to explain and walk me through the different aspects of bagpipes and his prices were great. Good luck on your decision and I am sure that you will get a great bagpipe from any of the manufacturer's named in the previous posts.