Quote Originally Posted by ccga3359 View Post
Why are the pipes so expensive yet sporrans are cheap? They come from the same animal and haggis are plentiful, aren't they?
No offense, but that sounds like the wrong question.

Think of a set of bagpipes as a musical instrument, which, of course, they are. There is craftmanship required in a decent instrument. I play in a band (not bagpipes: a synthesizor) and have been in contact with musicians for many years. Good instruments are not something you get for $40. I paid AU$2500 quite some years ago for my professional synth - and that model was known to be excellent value for money. I could have easily spent AU$10,000. Or more. I have a friend who recently bought a new electric bass guitar. AU$1000. A good saxaphone, clarient or trombone can be in the range of AU$1200. A really good flute can be AU$600!

If McCallum ab0's, their lowest, are $800, then I'd say they look reasonably priced for a musical instrument. If I was interested in bagpiping, then I wouldn't think that was too expensive.

Wade.