Hi,
I would like to buy a set of Uilleann Pipes however rarely see any for sale.
What things should I be looking for when buying them and who sells them in the UK, seems none of the music shopd here sell any.?
NPU website http://www.pipers.ie/ has some tips on buying a set:
http://www.pipers.ie/en/buyingset.html
For a first set, particularly assuming that you want to start with a practice set, it’s probably better to go for someone whom you can meet, so that you can be confident of getting support with the inevitable early “running-in” problems with the reed etc.
Thanks for all the good info Roger. I’ll take a look at the websites you have listed.
I expect then that you recommend a practice set as opposed to something else? I think though I am going to be a little bit restrained in my budget.
I have a friend who has had a half set for sometime but he says he might be selling them…I think he has lost interest since he says they are pretty hard to play.
However with these things being in short supply I think he will be looking all or most of his money back, and that would be way out of my range.
Anyhow I’m not in any great hurry and maybe I’ll also find them difficult to play!!
Never know till I try though!
Thanks.
A practice set of uilleann pipes comprises bellows bag and chanter, all of which (apart from a couple of recent innovations like the “penny chanter”) are the same as on the full set, unlike Scottish bagpipes where the practice chanter is a completely different animal. So a practice set is a good investment, and it spares you the major up-front cost of a full set at the early stage when you don’t even know if you’re going to make a go of it. Check out the small ads in the NPU site, but also the addresses of makers. I don’t really know who’s who in Britain, but there are so many makers now that the chances are that there’s one who is at least a not too-long train journey away from you.
Roger…you got any idea what a new set would cost? If I can’t handle them are they easy to sell on?
I can’t spend like much money maybe £300 at very most.
I’ll do like you say and have a look around anyhow. I see sometimes people here know people who are selling them.
Anyhow thanks again for pointing me in the initial right direction…not going to rush into anything, just consider buying a set if the right one comes up on the market at a price I can afford.
No idea what the going rate is, but as a general rule waiting lists for new sets are so long that it should be possible to recover most if not all of your investment if you decide to sell.
BTW, if you right-click on the names in the NPU makers’ list you get full addresses as well as phone nos.
George,
First suggestion is try to borrow your friend’s half set for a couple of months whil he’s thinking of selling so you get some idea of how they work. Good sets generally hold their price, bad sets prices tend to drop like a stone.
Pipemakers up north include Davy Stephenson who we all agree is a good quality maker and Dave Williams who I think is one of the very best. A chanter from either of these would be a real investment but may be a bit over £300 which leaves you with the problem of getting bag and bellows together.
Check out the ceolupnorth website for sessions where you can meet and discuss pipes with local players. Leeds and Manchester are good places for a tune and there are some pipers who will give lessons.
The pipes are a long term investment in time and money so don’t rush in until you are sure you know what a good setup is.
Best of luck,
Ken
There are also a few adds on http://www.bagpiper.com
However, some of them are rather old ads, and the pipes have long gone.
Samuel
[ This Message was edited by: sammyd on 2003-02-27 07:20 ]
One thing you’ll learn quickly is that this is NOT an inexpensive instrument. Davy Stephenson sells a student chanter which would be an excellent option. It’s tonal qqualities are identical to the rest of his work. I believe his budget sets to be VERY reasonably priced. You will find many people suggesting you purchase a D. Daye set. This can be a good way to get started. Personally, I would recommend investing in Mr. Stephenson’s work.
Check for any local clubs, or speak with other local makers and see if there are any practice sets that you could borrow or rent…there’s nothing worse than investing in an instrument like this and discovering it’s not your ball of wax. Generally, a “name” set will resell well. So buy well, sell well.
Thanks guy’s well it’s going to take me a while to get through all the information which you have given me already.
I might be able to borrow my friends set but he is abroad at the moment with work. It may be he has already sold them on sine I have not seen him for a couple of months.
Anyhow I’d like to thank you all for the great ideas…I’ll give some thought, have a look around and not rush into anything too soon.
I tend to work away from home a lot so really I can afford to consider the possibilities.
Again thanks.
Iv’e just had an after thought…is it possible to rent or hire out a set of pipes like you can with trumpets and clarinets to see whether it would be worth buying a set?
Yes, some clubs have an extra practice set that gets rented out. Consider it a less expensive way to try on pipes for a while without having to buy a new/used set. Usually there’s a long waiting list to get them.
Big George I wonder where exactly you are located?
I have two sets of pipes. I would possibly be able to help you with a set to try if you can give me your details.
I have a practice set which you might like to try?
If you email me at (edited to remove email address)
we could maybe chat about helping you out. I sure would not mind lending you a set of pipes for awhile until you have got something organised.
I do not however wish to discuss it on this board please, only by email.
[ This Message was edited by: LarryM on 2003-03-01 07:34 ]
LarryM thank you for your most grateful help my friend!!
Email on it’s way today.
Thanks again.
George