Around 1995, I began taking lessons from Mike Kilbane in Cleveland. At the time, he suggested buying a Dave Williams Chanter. I played this chanter for about 1 year but stopped when I became Pipe Major of the Band I was in (I am a Great Highland Bagpiper) as I didn’t have time to learn Uillean Pipes.
I still play the GHB but, will more than likely never find time to do the Uillean Pipes justice. I saw Mike last Summer and he mentioned Dave Williams had passed and his Chanters were selling for a high amount.
The chanter comes with 2 reeds which were sent by Dave Williams. I don’t know but played fine in 1995. My knowledge is limited of Uillean chanters but, this is a Williams Chanter and it is in very good condition. I purchased it direct from Dave Williams and spoke to him in the process.
If you have concerns about whether this is legit, ask Mike if you know him. I also played with David Daye about 20 years ago when he lived in Columbus, OH. If you know him, you can ask him about me.
And why not ?? at least it gives folks the chance to buy…don’t forget I have a Dave Williams chanter (so I am not biased ) Ivory Silver and Boxwood wi Three keys…
Unfortunately due to the high inflation rate in various parts o the world the highest being in Zimbabwe,I am forced to increase the price now to £2.5K
I will be sorry to see it go… only kidding ,no I won’t, at that price my sorrow would evaporate very quickly…
Slán Agat
Uilliam
kerchink…US $1,776.56.
Gave my Williams to Silverspear the other night to try it,wasnae sure which reed was in it(should have checked)as it had been lying neglected for a wee while…turned out to be one o my own rubbishy ones and it wasnae in tune…never mind thought I… I will put the Alan B reed in frae my other chanter and give it back to her to try… He had sent me a reed for the Williams which was very good but I took it oot for some reason which escapes me now but was probably to try one o ma own reeds in it ,given it was my one in it…anyways..Didnae check to see if the reed would sit inside the chanter cap..woopsie daisie..reed hits crosspiece of stop key inside cap keruuunch,sob sob,funeral pyre fer reed.. sorry Alan ..I can send ye the ashes if ye wish
Never mind put another one in when I got home and now pleased to say that both chanters are very much in tune and well… Apart frae the initial grief and the utter feeling of stupidity at meself for doing it the result was happier than expected.The Williams chanter is now playing much better than before and spot on tuning. So frae tragedy came something good.Praisey be…
Moral of the tale …there isnae one..
Slán Go Foill
Uilliam
oh my lordy - near 1800 for the current bid on a single keyed chanter. i see pipes following the same pattern as japanese swords - premium prices for known prestigious makers. there is a collectors value being attached to pipes.
i see pipes following the same pattern as japanese swords - premium prices for known prestigious makers. there is a collectors value being attached to pipes.
No, try as I might, I haven’t killed anyone yet with my piping. The swords’ value stems in part from their mystique; they can’t be used for their original purpose any more, and wouldn’t be very effective in modern warfare. Great for protection against zombies, though.
Righto! Actually though, amckay offers a good analysis, and other posts have noted that vintage pipes by “famous” makers are being bought by collectors who never intend to play them, just own them. I think we are a long way from the samurai sword example, only because the pipes are being played by more and more folks. They are still being made, some would say better than ever before.
JVF
This thread was aboot Dave Williams To be more specific about Dave Williams Chanters.Let me spell that oot for ye D A V E W I L L I A M S OK So that is DAVE WILLIAMS AND HIS CHANTERS
References to any other maker therefore is irrelevant.
Ifn ye wanted to, ye could get any amount o chanters that are in tune.That is what they are meant to be after all and any good maker will provide ye wi one otherwise they shouldnae be making.
I see the buyer is into the Japanese martial arts…so the reference to Samurai Swords may not be that far aff the mark
Slán Go Foill
Uilliam
edited coz I felt like it…
at least it gives folks the chance to buy…don’t forget I have a Dave Williams chanter (so I am not biased 
) Ivory Silver and Boxwood wi Three keys…
only kidding ,no I won’t, at that price my sorrow would evaporate very quickly…
That seems a bit dramatic..Wot have we hit an iceberg or sommit whilst I was sleeping???
sorry Alan ..I can send ye the ashes if ye wish 
Apart frae the initial grief and the utter feeling of stupidity at meself for doing it the result was happier than expected.The Williams chanter is now playing much better than before and spot on tuning. So frae tragedy came something good.Praisey be…
