Any experience with Pakistani Uilleann Bagpipes?

[Eyler]

I am a Great Highland Bagpipe player who wants to learn the Uilleann bagpipe (UB) as well. Currently, most UB take about a year and a huge amount of money to order. I just want to get started and see if its for me. I came across Pakistani UBs that are a small fraction of the price of a western UB and available immediately. So here are my questions: Do any of you have any experiences with Pakistani UBs? If so, are they playable at all? Should someone buy a set if they want to try them out and learn the basics before committing to a quality set? Or is it a complete waste of money? I would prefer to hear from people who have first hand experience. Thank you very much for your help and advice, Eyler

[flyrod6057]

I have seen dozens of Pakistani GHB pipes that were not worth a penny, and I've heard as many horror stories from guys who just couldn't pass up a "great deal" then went on to regret the decision. Of course it's your money, so you should do what you want with it. However, in my humble piper's opinion, I would never buy Pakistani pipes of any variety.

My recommendation is to look around for a Uillean piper, a local one if you can. When you find one, get his advice on what to do. A quick Google search should get you pointed in the right direction. Also, scan around over at Bob Dunsire's forum: there will be far more knowledgeable folks on a piping-specific forum.

Good luck.

-Brad

[tulloch]

My teacher got a set on ebay. There are lots of people in transition who, for one reason or another, have things like that for sale. Make a plan, be regular and patient.

[creagdhubh]

OC Richard may be a good person to contact in regards to your query. I am sure he will chime in to this thread sooner or later.

Best of luck!

[cessna152towser]

I can't speak for Pakistani Uillean Bagpipes but my own experience of Pakistani Great Highland Bagpipes has been disappointing.
I was able to play a few simple tunes, without the grace notes, on a good quality set of bagpipes. I felt that I was not doing justice to them so, when I was approached by a pipe band to sell my pipes, I accepted their offer.
Thereafter I spent a quarter of the money on replacing them with a new set of pipes ordered direct from Pakistan.
I never managed to get a tune from them. Perhaps with some tweaking and some new reeds they might be made to play but at present they are lying in a corner of the room gathering dust.

[Cygnus]

My experience (again with GHBPs) is the same as everyone above - the drones are currently waiting to be turned into lamps.

I also discovered that the leather bag had been treated with naphthalene, which is not something I would want to be breathing! There may well be decent Pakistani Uellian pipes out there, but you're going to want to do your homework or you will probably, like so many others, end up regretting the purchase.

Good luck!

[Pyper]

For learning, you might want to check into David Daye's pipes. They sound reasonable to me, and he's an actual piper. He sells a practice set for like $300.

[ExDragoon]

Do not, I repeat, do not waste your money on UP's from Pakistan. There are several forums dedicated to these pipes and easy to find. They all have a 'for sale' section and you can pick up a decent used set for a good price. Start with a practice set (bag, bellows, and chanter) and after spending time with these, you'll know if you want to upgrade to a half or full set. There are excellent pipe makers in North America if you're looking to buy new. Mine were built by Neil O'Grady in Newfoundland, and I've since upgraded my chanter with one built by CJ Dixon in Ontario.
Karl

[Eyler]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my plea for help.

All your advice was well taken. That's what I love about this forum. It looks like you guys saved me a few hunderd bucks. So if you ever come down to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, I owe you a beer.

To Flyrod: I did post on the Bob Dunsire forum at the same time as I posted here just to cover all my bases and I got similar advice. Thanks
To Tulloch: Thanks for the Ebay tip. I imagine there are a number of people like me who would like a practice set to use while waiting on the professional who don't need them when the final instrument arrives.
To Cessna and Cyqnus: Thanks for letting me know that the Pakistani sets are not playable. I will avoid them.
To Pyper: Thanks for letting me know about David Daye. After visiting his site, I am leaning toward that option.
To ExDragoon: I am definitely going to start out with a practice set only. Then after 6 months (based on past experience with other instuments), I will know if I should advance to a full set.

Thanks again to you all. Eyler

[ExDragoon]

Keep us up to date on the journey. If this was kilt-related, we'd expect pics. Since it's music-related, we'll be expecting a sound clip once you nail your first tune.