Should buy used pipes?

[mouse 1]

I am looking at a set of pipes as my first set. they were used by someone who was in a pipe band,and had to stop for personal reasons. They are made of wood, and were sold by a company in the area. as I findout more I will post. The bag did leak, and was sent out for repair. As long as the drones, and other parts are in good working order is it worth it? They also come with a leather bag.What do you think? person is asking 300 dollars.

[MacAngus]

Are they african blackwood? A bag should never be shipped out for repair once a bag leaks it's time for a new one.
If it comes with a leather bag instead of a sheepskin,Elk hide, canmore ,bannatyne then it is pakistani which go for around 300 they are garbage.
When I first started piping 17 years ago my father mistakenly bought me a set of these things. Best of luck hope this helps you.

[beloitpiper]

There's a few things you should ask about. Is the bag new or repaired? The the wood rosewood or African blackwood? Does it come with reeds? If so, are they cane or synthetic? Who made the pipes? What is the country of origin?

[kypnkilt]

I would be a little leery. $300 seems awfully low even for used pipes of any reputable maker. If this person was in a band, and the bag leaked, it would be highly improbable to have it sent out for "repair". A leaky bag could be no more than a loose tie-in on one of the stocks where a PM of a band could easily help re-tie it, or needs re-seasoning. In my case, if I have a "bag failure" and not worth the trouble of "fixing"....I just get another bag.

You said made of wood. The question is: What wood? Usually the types of wood used by reputable makers are African Blackwood, cocobolo, cocus, mopane and ebony. Rosewood is the "preferred" wood of Pakistani made pipes; which equals to "crap".

Also, if this seller was in a band, they ought to know what brand they are. "Real" pipes can be easily identified by the "pro's" with good clear pics. But $300?? So...I'd be skeptical and leery until you get all the facts.

Suggestion: go to www.bobdunsire.com to the trading post in their forums. Many "jewels" show up quite often.....Good Luck!!

[EagleJCS]

Rosewood is the "preferred" wood of Pakistani made pipes; which equals to "crap".

Easy there, tiger. I have a set of Madagascaran rosewood pipes, made by a local maker (Peter Crisler). They are far from "crap". Granted, some of the varieties of rosewood are not quite instrument-quality, and the workmanship of some makers can be less than desirable.

On topic:
If the pipes in question are going for US$300, I would have some serious questions (many already suggested): who's the maker? what type of wood are they? how old are they? what are the mounts made of (imitation ivory, nickel, silver, wood - what type)? what kind of bag is it, exactly? what reeds are in them, currently? does the chanter come with them? what make is it?

[OC Richard]

Usually the types of wood used by reputable makers are African Blackwood, cocobolo, cocus, mopane and ebony. Rosewood is the "preferred" wood of Pakistani made pipes...

While the Pakistani makers call that wood "rosewood" and you see Pakistani pipes so listed on Ebay etc, I don't think that the wood they use is actually rosewood, but rather sheesham wood.

Real rosewood, like Honduras rosewood etc can be made up into very fine bagpipes, flutes, etc.

[george7]

If you can afford it, I would say buy the set you want now. If you buy a cheap set to learn on you'll want a set of African blackwood pipes with a synthetic zipper bag... perhaps carbon fiber drone reeds, etc.

If you can't afford the bells and whistles, but a good set of sticks (the wooden bits of the bagpipe) with a cheap synthetic bag and ezeedrone reeds.

You can upgrade everything but the wood later.

I wouldn't mess with leather. You'll waste valuable practice time maintaining your bag.

[SteveB]

I would like to add my tuppence here.

Like me you are learning the Pipes. I hope that you have a tutor guiding you. Have your tutor examine the pipes before you purchase them. It saved me all kinds of worry. My tutor has been watching the area market at each competition he has participated in. Regular AGL's. He got wind of an excellent set of Blackwood Shepherd pipes at a reasonable price and advised his students. I was the first to jump and now have a set of Scottish craftsmanship that will last as long as I can Pipe. That is when I actually move up to the GHB.

Slainte

[wvpiper]

I am looking at a set of pipes as my first set. they were used by someone who was in a pipe band,and had to stop for personal reasons. They are made of wood, and were sold by a company in the area. as I findout more I will post. The bag did leak, and was sent out for repair. As long as the drones, and other parts are in good working order is it worth it? They also come with a leather bag.What do you think? person is asking 300 dollars.

Depends on who the maker is.

[mouse 1]

Thanks to all for the questions to ask! I sent an email to the seller, and will post reply. evedently the seller was in a serious car accident and can no longer play. I guess if that happened to me I would'nt want to look at them either. I am carefully looking though, so thanks for everyones help. I knew this was the right place to ask!