Changing times......

[NorCalPiper]

Since I am new to this forum, I wanted to give you all a little of my back-ground....And then vent a little.

My name is Josh Brown and I am 37 (GULP) years old. When i was in High School and early College, I was EXTREMELY active in the Scottish scene. I was a piper with the Atlanta Pipe Band, my mother was a country dancer, my aunt was a silversmith and had a company "Legend Silver". We all were totally immersed in Scottish everything. This was the mid to late 80's, early 90's and they were great times........But we all seemed to exhaust ourselves in one form or another with all the games, competitions, and culture. I stopped piping during college and never seemed to take it back up.

After the birth of my daughter this year, it just hit me to start piping again. No real reason, it was just there to start it again. So I went about getting my gear ready- since I had sold, given away, lost everything scottish I owned. Here comes my vent-

I just can not believe how expensive things have gotten over time. Since I plan on doing solo only for a while, I wanted to have a full regimental for gigs, and semi formal for competition. I priced what I'd need from stores here and in Scotland and was shocked at how much it would cost. In the old days, Pakistani pipes/kilts/etc. were not at all well looked upon, and I CERTAINLY would never consider buying or owning such a product back in the day. But today, I've been forced to supplement my outfits with products made in Pakistan/India(?),because of the VAST difference in price. I've received my feather bonnet, and am incredibly please with its make and quality. It was 300$ cheaper than what I priced in N.A. & UK. . Next will be my Piper's doublet and Argyll. My belts, diced hose (Diced and regular) and flashes, AND my regimental horse hair and day sporran...All made in in Asia with a price tag night and day lower than what. ESPECIALLY the horse hair sporran which can run you 600$.........UNBELIEVABLE!!!

I would like to special mention Matt Newsome for making really unique kilts at a reasonable price.

I don't know....i just feel bad when I hear talk of how these products cheapen, or are laughably less than what can be offered by "Real" makers. I'd like to spend on products made here, but its just too expensive for me....Anyway, just wanted to get that out...Maybe this makes no sense.......

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

It's all down to quality-- if you shop wisely and well you can certainly find products made in India/Pakistan that are the equal to those made in the USA or UK. The problem is finding those suppliers. Short of going there, dealing via the internet is pretty much a crap shoot. That's why most of us bite the bullet, and pay the price.

[Phil]

Sadly you only get what you pay for and I hope you at least get a good quality kilt. For the rest buy what you can afford but don't expect them to last too long. Sometimes it isn't always a saving in the long term and with the dollar dropping in value anything imported is bound to be expensive.

[McFarkus]

from Chicago. There are some excellent kilt makers in this forum including Matt Newsome. Stillwater Kilts and others can provide good kilts at a good price, but not the same as custom.

Keep reading. There are a lot of good resources here.

[James MacMillan]

Since I am new to this forum, I wanted to give you all a little of my back-ground....And then vent a little.

My name is Josh Brown and I am 37 (GULP) years old. When i was in High School and early College, I was EXTREMELY active in the Scottish scene. I was a piper with the Atlanta Pipe Band, my mother was a country dancer, my aunt was a silversmith and had a company "Legend Silver". We all were totally immersed in Scottish everything. This was the mid to late 80's, early 90's and they were great times........But we all seemed to exhaust ourselves in one form or another with all the games, competitions, and culture. I stopped piping during college and never seemed to take it back up.

After the birth of my daughter this year, it just hit me to start piping again. No real reason, it was just there to start it again. So I went about getting my gear ready- since I had sold, given away, lost everything scottish I owned. Here comes my vent-

I just can not believe how expensive things have gotten over time. Since I plan on doing solo only for a while, I wanted to have a full regimental for gigs, and semi formal for competition. I priced what I'd need from stores here and in Scotland and was shocked at how much it would cost. In the old days, ****-pipes/****-Kilts/etc. were not at all well looked upon, and I CERTAINLY would never consider buying or owning such a product back in the day. But today, I've been forced to supplement my outfits with products made in Pakistan/India(?),because of the VAST difference in price. I've received my feather bonnet, and am incredibly please with its make and quality. It was 300$ cheaper than what I priced in N.A. & UK. . Next will be my Piper's doublet and Argyll. My belts, diced hose (Diced and regular) and flashes, AND my regimental horse hair and day sporran...All made in in Asia with a price tag night and day lower than what. ESPECIALLY the horse hair sporran which can run you 600$.........UNBELIEVABLE!!!

I would like to special mention Matt Newsome for making really unique kilts at a reasonable price.

I don't know....i just feel bad when I hear talk of how these products cheapen, or are laughably less than what can be offered by "Real" makers. I'd like to spend on products made here, but its just too expensive for me....Anyway, just wanted to get that out...Maybe this makes no sense.......

Yup - you said it!

Bummer!

.

[Earl D]

NorCalPiper from Utah. Check out the DIY section of X-Marks, there are of number of excellent "how-to's" reguarding jacket conversions using "thrift store" bargains and exhire tuxs from Formal Wear rental shops.

[beloitpiper]

The American economy just isn't what it used to be. I know how much piping stuff can cost, and I hope you find some deals out there.

Have you heard of J. Higgins? They have really great prices for pipers.

[Arlen]

It's all down to quality-- if you shop wisely and well you can certainly find products made in India/Pakistan that are the equal to those made in the USA or UK. The problem is finding those suppliers. Short of going there, dealing via the internet is pretty much a crap shoot. That's why most of us bite the bullet, and pay the price.

This is very well said.
I've got some stuff from Pakistan and India that was wonderful quality and I was very happy with.
Other stuff I have regretted wasting my money on.

Sometimes it is safer to just buy the more expensive products, but sometimes it is worth the risk.
A delicate balance, I suppose.


I am glad you are ready to take up your pipes again and I wish you well with it.

Hopefully your daughter will appreciate it!

[Rex_Tremende]

If I had a hundred bucks for every time I pitched something and later regretted it, well, I'd have a new kilt ensemble by now.

Welcome back to the addiction.

Regards,
Rex.

[Kiltman]

Welcome from Eastern Washington State.