We are spoilt for choice more than any other time in history regarding pipemakers at the moment and I was wondering If a piper was to put his name down on Alain Froment,s waiting list is it really worth it ?
Reading through this forum and the recommendations people make about certain pipemakers and their pipes certainly look very well made but most have waiting lists not even one quarter the length of Froment,s .My question is why ? or to put a another way is Alian Froment really that good
Have you seen his order book in “Person” anyone can say anything, :roll: looks good with this sort of Advertisement, I think most of the big makers pipes are bought as investments,dont know why, the best pipemaker still living today with out any doubt is Peter Hunter,and who knows he may start making again, and if he doe’s my name is top of the List.
Try a Froment set, if it blows you away and you couldn’t ever think a better set would arrive in the next xxxx years, then put your name down and work away on what you have.
But, obviously, if it’s your first set, don’t be waiting that long…
I think a reason why his waiting list is so long is all French pipers buy a Froment set: he’s French, speaks French, lives not too far from France…
And, of course, his pipes are awesome.
if you have access to david power, he has a C and has or will soon have a D in addition. he would certainly play them for you over the phone. he would also know the politics of the “real” wait time for mr. froment.
I was down at the 2004 Piper’s Gathering this year, and spoke to David Power who has a “C” set and I believe a B set also. He had said Alain Froment has “enough work to see him until the end of his days”.
That’s a good indication of his wait list..but well worth it if you are young..
Actually Alain doesn’t think that his wait list is particularly long. He told me a few years ago that he has a friend that received a Spanish guitar a few years ago and the gentleman waited 25 years on a list for it!
I met Cormac Cannon (Coop) who also play with Froment fullset last summer in Finland, what a sound and tonal quality (and offcourse so awesome player ). Thatkinda set is worth waiting .
… btwThies and Esko ,menettekö katsomaan L.Barry-trio ? (keikka tais olla 25.9 Joensuu)laulaja/buzukisti Cyril Odonaghue oli täällä viimeksi D,Moynihanin +Calicon kanssa 97.
cheers
Mikko
If someone can host it (and if somebody is interested), I’ve got a picture of Alain, Mick O’Brien, Patrick Molard, Petko Stephanov after a session last year. I think his pipes had 5 regs.
Hi everybody ,
About Alain F. you must understand his position . As a pipemaker , you receive a letter from a guy , you don’t know him , you work one and a half month for him , you receive money and you go to the post office with the packed under your arm ! Perhaps , you will obtain no more news about this pipes , because the guy thinks it’s normal to get this pipes because he paid it !!! I think when you worked more for one month to make this full set , you wish some recognition of the work . I know many pipers here , in Brittany ( France ) , they flight to Kenmare to order their pipes and to speak with Alain ; and when you make that job , alone in your workshop , it’s pleasant to know the piper at witch you work . It’s not an industry and from Alain it’ s great art !
Hope you have understand my poor english ? and my point of view !
Salut
the best pipemaker still living today with out any doubt is Peter Hunter,and who knows he may start making again, and if he doe’s my name is top of the List. 
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