Quote Originally Posted by 48th Highlander View Post
I have not met a Grade 1 professional piper that has seen or heard a set of athertons that would not sacrifice a left ball for a set.
I think that's overstating the case somewhat. True that several pipers in SFU have switched to Athertons and are using them both in the band and in solos. But on the other hand I can't recall seeing very many (if any) Athertons being played in Scottish Grade One bands, or in the hands of many top soloists outwith those from SFU.

The caveat is that I haven't seen the 2011 Worlds DVDs yet; when I do I'll keep an eye out for Athertons, which are easy to spot. But I didn't see many outwith SFU at the 2010 Worlds.

The pipers in our local Grade One band, the LA Scots, seem content with their 100-year-old Hendersons and Lawries and I've not seen an Atherton there.

In fact I know of only three Atherton sets being locally played, none by top-level pipers:
1) a guy in a G3 band who solos in G2. His pipes sound fantastic and really stand out from the rest of the solo competitors at local Games.
2) a guy who plays at the G4 level.
3) a beginner.

Which is not to say that Athertons aren't the best pipes being made today! I think they are. But top pipers haven't gone over to them wholesale.