C set

Uilleann Pipes
1

I have an old C nat. chanter (unsure of the maker, just know its old), and was thinking about trying to make some drones and posibly regulators to match it. Does anyone know where I could find plans for these; I’ve seen the ones in Lark in the Morning, but they are a bit pricy ($100), so I wanted to find out what else was avaliable, if anyone had used the Lark plans, and if they are worth it. I am planning on asking Pat Sky for advice as well, as he has worked on the chanter before. The chanter is out of fruit wood, with horn mounts, has a heart with a slash through the center cut into the upper ferule, and the letters MB ingraved just below that. If anyone has any idea who might have made this chanter, I would really appreciate any insight.
thanks,
Jack Devereux

2

Milton Bradley?

Sorry about that. Not sure. Can you post a pic?

3

Unfortunately, most onstruction plans for UP’s are upwards of $100. NPU sells plans drawn up by Alan Ginsberg, there pretty good. I’m pretty sure he’s done a set of plans for a C set.

4

Hi Jack - is that Mark Dixon’s old chanter by any chance?? If so it could possibly be by Mick Wilkinson from Bradford, i have vague memories of him using the broken heart symbol on his stuff …

5

Yeah, this is Mark’s chanter. It’s at Pat Sky’s place right now, but as soon as I get it back, I’ll get my brother to help me post images.

6

Apparantly that chanter is a very early chanter made by Mick Wilkinson, who was living in Bradford at the time.

7

Is Wilkinson still around? I don’t think I’ve heard of him, but judging by this chanter, he does great stuff.
thanks,
Jack

8

Hi Guys,
Some info’ and also a correction. Mick’s surname is Wilkins, not Wilkinson. He’s probably aged about 56.
The initials you mentioned (MB) are Mick’s first and middle name. Therefore the full title is Michael Brett Wilkins.
The “broken heart” symbol was for that very reason. A broken heart.
I still have a photo somewhere (I think) of him and me stood outside the caravan of the late Seamus Ennis back in '83. I think it was when we went to pay our respects at the grave of the “old Master” on our way back from Betty’s Town NPU Tionol.
Regarding his ‘C’ chanter’s. I had one made from boxwood that was passed on to Joe Crane of Newcastle in preference for a ‘B’ chanter. I also remember another one of Mick’s made from Rosewood. Could that be the chanter you now have?
He did produce a C# chanter made from a fruit wood (pear possibly) which was modelled on a Kenna.
He lived in Bradford (Frizinghall) West Yorkshire, UK but left the city some years ago. Not too sure where he is now although one rumour has him in Brittany. Another has him in Hull. In other words I don’t think anyone really knows since he dropped out of the making and session scene.
Joseph (the UK one) :wink: