Got a call from Ian Mackenzie (SIMACK) the other day. I had a talk to him about what key’s he would suggest for someone who’s going to play more modern pieces he suggested a C set? I’ve been considering the D set because that’s what seems to be most commonly played. Both C’s and D sets look as if their going to work for what instruments I’m going to play with.
What are your prefurances about C and D sets. I guess the mane reason why I’m considering a D set because he offered me a good price for one.
Please remember that this is a beginner who noes little about the Uillean Pipes. Could you give a reasonbly even handed report in language a beginner would understand (don’t worry I’m not music eleterate, I’ve been studying music since I was 8 years of age).
If anyone has had experiences with SIMACK sets in the past please send me a private message and tell me what you like about them, their advantages, disadvantages etc.
Oh and one more thing, if you own a SIMACK set can you possibly post some pictures of them.
My understanding of why D sets are so popular is that this key is one of the easiest to work with other instruments like fiddle, whistle, flute. Obviously, guitar and piano are not locked into one key so its not so important. I guess that you would have to consider who you will play with, if anyone, and what would suit best to play with them.
The other thing is that D sets are usually made with a wide bore and are fairly loud to be able to be heard amongst other instruments, whereas sets pitched lower than concert D (often referred to as “flat sets”) are usually made with a smaller bore and are not so loud. This gives their timbre a different colour. If you’re not sure what the difference is, try to get recordings of UPs that are other than in D. Players who come to mind are Ronan Browne, Liam O’Flynn, Mick O’Brien. I’m sure others here can suggest more. If you are totally unfamiliar with the difference you might ask your pipemaker if he can provide you with some recordings of the differences (he might not have the facilities to do so, but it never hurts to ask). Otherwise, try to find opportunities to get out and listen to other pipers and see what keys their sets are in and what they sound like. See the FAQs on this board for more info.
So anything lower than D (does that mean C) is a flat set. That would explain a lot. Ian told me about that but a I wasn’t exactly sure. My father is one of the people I’ll be playing with and he said D’s not a problem for the acustic (not electric) guitar. The guitar’s a soft instrument so the loudness of the D could be a problem. I also had a talk to the piano player at church and she had no problem either .
Maybe the D is the best way to go. Even if it is a bit loud, I can ask the soundy to turn up the loudness of the piano and organ up a bit.
Almost everyone starts out with a D set or at least a D chanter. If you were to get a C set, be sure to also get a D chanter. You would not be able to play the drones, etc with it but you could play with other instruments in sessions.
Good news about any decision that you make is that you can change your mind as reselling is fairly easy and simple these days.
Looking up past posts you’ve made here. I’ve noticed you’ve been speaking very highly about the SIMACK’s. What is it particularly about the SIMACK sets that you like? Do you know anyone in Oz that happens to play them.
Why Simack?
He gave me references in the US who all liked his pipes.
I bought when one US dollar was nearly two Australian dollars.
Ian is a pleasure to deal with. He’s straight forward, super knowledgeable and always answered my questions. He’s an excellent reedmaker too!
He once made a living as a piper in a band and he builds and plays other instruments.
He mostly does deluxe sets that are fully mounted but I wanted something of a ‘no frills’ design and he was OK making them. They play well, sound great and were a really good deal for me.
How well do these pipes cope in extream climate changes (compared to other Uillean Pipes). In Queensland where I live we can have quiet extream changes, sometimes I have to tune my GHB at least twice a week if the weather has been really bad.
One more thing, do you now where there are some sound samples available.
It doesn’t snow where I live and the pipes have fared well through my climate changes which are more humid to dry rather than hot to cold. I started off with a Mackenzie chanter and I liked it enough to order the rest of the set (with 2nd chanter) some time later.
You should arrange a visit to Ian’s shop and get to hear his stuff first hand. It’s worth the trip.
The area where I live in Queensland can be extreamly humid. It sounds as if we have simmilar climates where we live. Thanks everyone for your help. It’s only a matter now of trying to find the funds for this jolly thing
Just to let you all know. It looks as if I’m getting a SIMACK halfset. Extreamly excited (my first set of Uillean Pipes ). Thankyou everyone for your suggestions. After talking with Mum and Dad we settled on the D. I"ll keep you guy’s all posted and let you now how things are progressing. Might even post a few pics when they arrive (probably in a few months).
Just to let you know that the pipes where sold to someone else as I just foundout. It looks as if I’m not getting the Mackenzie half set after all .
If anyone in Oz has a half or three quater set for sale for under $2000.00 could you please let me know my email is l42bb@yahoo.coma.au. The search for an affordable set is really getting desperate
We looked into that and it was decided we really couldn’t pay anymore than AU $2000.00 (or around there). If you happen to know anyone in that region with 1/2, 3/4 or 4/4 sets available could you let me know. If you know Jack personally could you let him know we might be interested if he sold it to us for around the price given above. Even if he sells the set as a 3/4.
I think he still has my email address from last time.
Ian emailed me back and said that he could make me a practice set for AU$1 200 in D including a C natural key for no extra cost (I guess saying sorry about the 1/2 set [no need really, it was sold to someone else who had the cash and he has to run a bussiness ]). Is that a good price for a practice set? How much would the pipes cost on average after they have been upgraded to a 4/4 set. This doesn’t have to be based on Ian’s prices, I just would like to get a general idea.
I guess easiest way would be to browse web sites of other pipe makers and check out their price lists. There you will also find information on upgrading prices to half, three-quarter or full sets.
You might need a currency converter. Try this one: http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic
I had the chance to play a Geoff Woof C# chanter at the floating Tionol, it sounded lovely, nice and mellow tone, although it was much harder to blow than my D chanter, in fact I could not play it for more that five minutes. I think this aspect of the pipes varies from maker to maker, but always get to play a chanter before you order/pay for it. I also tried a C# half set by Severn (or similar name) and couldn’t even get the drones to sound it was such hard work. The owner of the set acually sweated when he played them!
About the pressure level on sets. This is up to the player. Once pipers get more experience adjusting their pipes you can bring that pressure down a bit by adjusting the reeds to your own liking. In my opinion it is better to have to give the bag a bit o’ welly to bring out the tone… but within reason!
This also allows the reeds a bit of lee-way with atmospheric conditions, in that, the reed will swell in humid conditions and shrink in dry conditions. If the reed is set kind of hard (open) it will shrink to a still playable size whereas if it is set to a very easy (wimpy) pressure it will shrink to a closed state… not good for you but maybe good for your audience
Apparently the pressure required was quite normal for a Woof C# chanter. Anyone out there play one? I’m all for wimpy bag preassure myself, as long as the reed isn’t unduly affected. Apparently some bands have ‘rest breaks’ for the piper due to the hard work required to play the pipes. I like a set you can play for hours on end.
(don’t worry I’m not music eleterate, I’ve been studying music since I was 8 years of age).
). Thankyou everyone for your suggestions. After talking with Mum and Dad we settled on the D. I"ll keep you guy’s all posted and let you now how things are progressing. Might even post a few pics when they arrive (probably in a few months).
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