Hi All,
A remarkable thing happened. I finally ( after more than 3 years, not sure now maybe 4 years ! ) got my set of pipes back from repair. They went on a journey so to speak, eventually ending up in the hands of Joe Kennedy in Toronto. They were in his hands for quite a long time and low and behold about two weeks ago he called and said he would deliver them in person. How’s that for service as I live 2000 km away from him. A crew of bikers arrived outside my home much to the interest of my neighbours and there was Joe driving a Triumph. He kindly spent the morning helping me with pipe set up and we had a few tunes.
This is a hybrid set with a Charles Roberts chanter, a bag and bellows from Chris Dixon and drones and regs from Neil O’Grady. My own skills at maintaining this set had finally failed (a clay potted plant falling on the set from the top of a bookshelf didn’t help ) but Joe has taken the set to a beautiful playing condition. He far surpassed my expectations. Very pleased. I can’t say enough about Joe’s skills as a pipemaker.
Anyway, Joe felt that the Chris Dixon bellows was a bit too large for the set especially with the smaller L&M bag he tied in and would interfere with reg playing so he made me a slightly smaller bellows that would better suit the set which it does.
So the Chris Dixon bellows and leather covered blowpipe is for sale $325.00 US plus shipping. I can send photos or connect via zoom or skype for anyway who wants to take a look. It’s a nice solid, air tight bellows. It is on the larger side which may be a downside for some. I have found it a comfortable bellows and wouldn’t have thought of replacing it except for Joe’s feeling it didn’t match the set well.
Also, the new bellows Joe made doesn’t have an elbow pad which I’m going to add myself. Joe says he doesn’t use one himself but I guess I have sensitive elbows. What is a recommended material for an elbow pad? Just some firmer foam? Thanks,
Mike