Who has them? Joseph, how are you liking yours? I ordered a bellows kit from CJ last week; can’t wait to put it together and give it a go.
I’m also interested in hearing about CJ’s bellows.
A while back I ordered drones and a new bag from Nick Whitmer. They’ll be arriving shortly (2 weeks to go). Then I’ll have a spare bag (synthetic, made by Kevin Thompson in 1996 but still no signs of wear). I want to put together a practice set, partly as a spare set and partly so I can loan it to beginners - being an uilleann piper in Quebec city is a lonely affair!!
Cost and quality are the main criteria. I’ve placed my name on the waiting list for one of CJ’s rosewood chanters. The next step is the bellows. The bellows kit seems to be great value. Unless I see something even cheaper on eBay, that’s probably how I’ll complete the practice set.
Im going to put a couple of set of bellows on ebay in a few days, You might check’em out.
I’ve placed my name on the waiting list for one of CJ’s rosewood chanters
PJ,
Have you seen or heard his chanters? His Website only has pictures of a chanter being made but no picture of the finished product. There are no soundfiles also. I was thinking of ordering one but I am reluctant without some positive feedback.
I think Joseph mentioned that he was due to review a pre-release chanter. Mr. Smith?
To the best of my knowledge, his chanters ought to ready around the end of May… at least that is what he has told me. I have one of his bellows, I like it. It’s a study bellows that is comfortable for me to wear and use.
So you can only use it with a practice set then?
… and at the library.
Joseph…I hate to tell you this, but I’ve been noticing over the lsat week or so that your photo of the dog seems to cause my PC to slow down. Oww… 
… sorry, I’ll change it.
Kerryman,
I’ve not heard or seen Chris’s chanters. I’m usually very careful about spending money on instruments - having a family means that I can’t just go throwing money around. I based my decision on the following:
- Chris is not a fly-by-night merchant. He’s been around a while and I’ve yet to hear any complaints about the bellows and other components he makes.
- I’ve already done business with Chris and he didn’t mess me around. I got what I ordered on time and he even emailed me to check everything was all right. I consider his attitude towards his craft as highly professional.
- The prices he charges are very reasonable (currently $225 for a rosewood chanter) and I’ve no doubt but that they’ll go up as soon as his reputation for chanters starts to spread.
- Whether he knows it or not, Chris provides beginners with an opportunity to get a good set of pipes at a reasonable price. I want to encourage that.
PJ wrote…
I’ve not heard or seen Chris’s chanters. Chris provides beginners with an opportunity to get a good set of pipes at a reasonable price. I want to encourage that. Hmm??
The Dog!! 
Uilliam
Yes, to the best of my knowledge Chris hasn’t provided a chanter to anyone (… his newer model, that is) yet. He is going to provide three ‘Big Name’ (so to speak) pipers (…and whose identities I am not at liberty to disclose) with his new chanters for critique. Pending their evaluations, we’ll have to wait and see.
… well, the new one is kind of a dog… a dog without a clue… 
Most makers charge between $250 and $450 for bellows. Chris’s kit costs $135. That’s a significant saving for a beginner, allowing for more money to be spent on chanter, books, lessons, etc.
Oh, did I mention bellows???, Sorry , I was talking about the Quality chanters that havent been seen or heard…
When you quoted me, you edited what I wrote and took it out of context - not a nice thing to do 
. To put things back in context, here’s a summary of what I wrote:
"I’ve not heard or seen Chris’s chanters…I based my decision on the following:
- Chris is not a fly-by-night merchant…
- I’ve already done business with Chris…
- The prices he charges are very reasonable…
- … Chris provides beginners with an opportunity to get a good set of pipes at a reasonable price. I want to encourage that."
I did not say that Chris currently makes chanters. If you read what I wrote this should be quite clear.
Sorry, Ill have to read it again.. Oh??? I see
I dont know if you know it but Willy Wonka provides a never ending gobstoppa..
I have been in contact with Chris on a pretty regular basis. I am convinced of his sincerity to provide a quality product at a very reasonable price. The last thing he wants, is to be considered a ‘fly by night’ outfit interested only in taking money from the wallets of the terminally stupid. He wants to build a great reputation based on the high quality of his pipes and on the high quality of his customer service.
Having said that, let’s give the fella a chance to get a few sticks out there in the hands of the pipers he’s enlisted to evaluate them.