Question for Pipers

[KD Burke]

I've had the opposite experience. Most of the pipers I'm acquainted with know who made their pipes, when they were made, and will discuss (at length) why their pipemaker is:
a) Much better than the crap they are making nowadays (Lawrie, Henderson, Starck, Glen);
b)One of the best ever, as good as the old guys (David Naill);
c)One of the best ever, and at that he's underrated (MacLellan);
d)One of the best ever, even if they are made by computer controlled lathes (McCallum);
e) One of the best ever, but they got a bad rap when they started making plastic pipes (Dunbar);
f) God (Atherton).

[pbutts]

I've had the opposite experience. Most of the pipers I'm acquainted with know who made their pipes, when they were made, and will discuss (at length) why their pipemaker is:
a) Much better than the crap they are making nowadays (Lawrie, Henderson, Starck, Glen);
b)One of the best ever, as good as the old guys (David Naill);
c)One of the best ever, and at that he's underrated (MacLellan);
d)One of the best ever, even if they are made by computer controlled lathes (McCallum);
e) One of the best ever, but they got a bad rap when they started making plastic pipes (Dunbar);
f) God (Atherton).

Ha ha....now that sounds like the Bob Dunsire Forum. I'm also surprised as even in bands that can afford to outfit the whole band with pipes, a good number of pipers will have their own personal set and probably "prefer" them for solo gigs.

If you are looking for information about different makers, check out Ringo Bowen's Bagpipe Museum at http://www.thebagpipeplace.com/Museum_Home.html

[Mike S]

All music forums (all forums period actually) have their share of gear heads who will argue to death the virtues of their own chosen maker/model vs. every other. The Bob Dunsire Forum has a great deal of information worth the read nonetheless IMO.

[tulloch]

Here in northeast US I can't remember talking to anyone who did not know the origin of their pipes. Everyone in my band knows theirs. US Boarder Patrol band knew theirs. Ditto Rhode Island, Vermont. Also I have never seen a band provide pipes. Chanters, however are provided by the bands so they will all be same type and have the same tone and scale.

[Macman]

Here in northeast US I can't remember talking to anyone who did not know the origin of their pipes. Everyone in my band knows theirs. US Boarder Patrol band knew theirs. Ditto Rhode Island, Vermont. Also I have never seen a band provide pipes. Chanters, however are provided by the bands so they will all be same type and have the same tone and scale.

This is my observation in my neighbourhood as well.