anybody know about this guy, and how is pipes are. the other day a fellow chiffer told me about him, and i was just wondering anybody else’s input on these pipes. if you have played them or know about them, i would appreciate your opinions of him.
All you’ll get here is opinion of both extremes. Best to find someone with a set or attend a tionol. Talk to pipers in person.
David Daye’s pipes have come up many times here. Use the Search function and I’m sure you’ll get an idea of just how much and how often.
djm
I’ve taught uilleann piping for over 20 years and my experience has been that David Daye chanters are consistenly good. He has spent the time on the important stuff- getting the chanter and reed design right. I’ve had beginners show up with fancy-looking wooden chanters from supposedly good makers which were terrible, but the Dayes always work.
The weak point of the Daye stuff is the air-delivery system. I’ve had people show up with funky bellows, and especially with blowpipes which are always popping out of the bag. Perhaps he has addressed these issues now. But in the past my advice for beginners has been to get a Daye chanter and reed, but get a high-quality leather bag, well-made wooden stocks and blowpipe, and the best bellows you can get. The best chanter in the world is no good if you can’t supply air to it.
thank you very much for the very good advice.
I’ve got a Daye half set, and the only problem I have with it is the valve on the bellows popping out occasionally. I think it might be because I have a habit of jerking the bellows sometimes. His leather bag is actually quite good though.