Looking into pipes...

[chasem]

So, I've been taking lessons for three months now, and about to hit the stage with this pipe band where I'm ready to look into pipes.

I've been working hard to move along quickly (and without learning bad habits) as I'm only sure I'll be here through August, and I'm not 100% sure I'll be able to continue lessons once I move. So, I want to make some serious progress.

Anywho, I've been doing a little research, and I'm absolutely going to talk to people within the band, but I thought I'd ask around here as well.

I've heard good things about McCallums, and I'm a fan of simple things- I don't need (or care for, really) the imitation ivory, engraved silver, hand carved pipes... all that. I love the look of the McCallum AB1 pipes. Anyone here have experience with these pipes?

Any other recommendations for something in the same price range as the AB1, without all the fancy ivory and such?

[Macman]

I am no expert on bagpipes, but I've had my McCallums for almost four years now and I'm very happy with them. My understanding is that McCallum pipes themselves are the same regardless of the model (e.g. AB1's are the same as the AB4's but without the bling), so sound and performance-wise, you'd be getting the same as a more expensive set of McCallums.
Check out bobdunsireforums.com for more if you haven't already. All the best!

[B R Gordon]

I'm also looking at pipes. I've been on the practice chanter for about five months and I hope to be ready for pipes in another month or two.

I've been looking at McCallum and Naill pipes. At this point I don't have enough knowledge to make the decision.

[OC Richard]

Yes sometimes the very plain pipes have an elegance all their own.

McCallums are very good-sounding pipes. Also, their customer service is excellent.

But... if you're the patriotic sort you might want to investigate USA-made pipes. MacLellan, Kron, Gibson, and Atherton are making top-notch pipes here in the USA.

Atherton pipes have gained a world-class repuation due to several sets being played in the World Champion pipe band Simon Fraser University. They're exacting copies of classic MacDougal bagpipes. Yes they are expensive but they're probably the best pipes being made anywhere on Earth today.

MacLellan pipes are great for someone looking for something different. They've come up with a distinctive profile for their drones: MacLellan pipes can't be mistaken for anything else.

Also MacLellan has come out with a few models which are reproductions of early bagpipes, one a copy of a c1800 set, one a copy of the c1750 "Waterloo" set. In any case you won't get a "cookie-cutter" set of pipes from MacLellan.

Dunbar Bagpipes in Canada makes excellent Henderson-style bagpipes. Unfortunately most people have only seen polypenco Dunbars, but make no mistake, blackwood Dunbars are among the finest pipes being made anywhere.

Then there are quite a few pipemakers in Scotland that might be termed "boutique makers" in that they make their pipes entirely by hand, one at a time. McCallum makes 40 bagpipes a week: these guys probably don't make many more than that in a year.

One guy is Douglas MacPherson. Another is Blue MacMurchie. And Tim Gellaitry.

Standing in between the one-man-operation "boutique" makers and a large CNC maker like McCallum is a maker like Naill. Naills are played at the top level by a number of solo competitors.

Just to get an idea of the variety of pipes out there, you owe it to yourself to spend some time looking over the websites of MacLellan and Douglas MacPherson, to name just two.

[wvpiper]

I have the McCallume AB0, button mounts, nickel ferrules and slides. I suppose a little bit less expensive than AB1. I can also say the holes on the chanter are larger than other makers' chanters. I didn't care for it, and got rid of it. I like my McCallums, but I wish I had bought what sounds best to me. Yes, the customer service has been good (I wasn't happy with some chits in my blowstick and there was some combing missing from a ferrule, both replaced without question). Yes, it's a fine instrument. But, there are other pipes that sound better to me.

You may be able to get a 'custom' set of pipes from MacClellan or Douglas Macpherson with as little adornment as you like. (button mount, wood ferrules, no combing or beading-they look very nice) Be forewarned that MacClellan has about a 6 month wait list, MacPherson's is a little shorter.

That said....my best advice is to listen to pipes of your band mates, at games, etc, and buy what sounds best to you.

If you still like McCallum PM me and maybe I'll sell you mine

[chasem]

He says, jokingly. I had considered the AB0, so if you're serious, that may be an option.

One of the guys in the band (who has been playing for about 1.5 years, to my knowledge, but practices about 2 hrs a day - he even practiced his chanter in the delivery room while his wife was in labor! No, I'm not exaggerating.) I'm pretty sure plays McCallums, and I've liked the sound of [and his skill in using] his set. I need to double check, but I'm pretty sure they're McCallum.

I will definitely take that advice to heart, though. Appreciate it.

[kypnkilt]

McCallum pipes are OK and yes their customer service is tops. However, there are many other makers out there that would be just as good.

The expensive ones such as: Athertons, Krons, MacLellan, and Colin Kyo make quality pipes with certain unique attributes.

The middle of the road and popular are McCallums, Gibsons, St. Kilda, Hardies and Dunbars and so on.

The other good makers of pipes that get left out of the lists are: Soutar, Sinclaire, Shepard, Wallace, etc.

There is nothing wrong in purchasing a used (quality) set. Not saying go to EBay, but the Dunsire site www.bobdunsire.com Trading Post forum crops up a few good deals every week. Might want to look there for good bargains. Of course if you are going into a band their expertise will help you point the way. Good Luck!!

[beloitpiper]

Some photos of my McCallums



(Not me, but my pipes)



For the record, I love them. I'm also not a fan of imitation ivory, and these have a classic, universal look.

[chasem]

I thought I remembered you saying you had McCallums somewhere, but I couldn't remember for sure, and didn't want to be presumptuous.

Are you running a McCallum chanter, or other? And how do you like them, the sound etc?

[beloitpiper]

I thought I remembered you saying you had McCallums somewhere, but I couldn't remember for sure, and didn't want to be presumptuous.

Are you running a McCallum chanter, or other? And how do you like them, the sound etc?

My pipes are McCallum, and depending on the band I use a McCallum or Shepherd chanter. Both are good and I've never had problems with them. I use D. Naill drone reeds and they sound excellent in my McCallums. They make a really deep and resonate sound.