Hi folks,
I’m looking at purchasing a starter set. Being a Scotsman (from the North-East, no less), I obviously want to do it with a minimum of cost. I’ve found a couple of self-assembly kits on the net, in particular this one :
http://www.bagpipeworks.com/other.htm
I’ve never heard of the guy, but that doesn’t mean much. Does anyone have experience with this chap’s work and/or the kits?
And on another note, it seems that Heather Clarke’s tutor gets the nod. Is this a good shout?
Cheers,
Calum
Good one! 
I once read in a book that Scotmen put education before economic security.
Welcome! Enjoy your time here on C&F.
PS: Stephenson has proved himself to be more than just okay.
Welcome!! I too hail from the north east. You shouldnt encourage the “we are tight rumours” its not true honest 
Most things ive heard about Stephensons woork has been good but the self assembly bit scares me!!
Dan
I have one of Davy’s halfsets and am well pleased with it.
jeff
Equally I have bought a Stephenson half set which I am very unhappy with and have been getting no help whatever from the maker to resolve the position!
Larry, what specifically are you having problems with ?
larry,
I thought you had previously been very complimentory about Davey Stevensons’ pipes?
I have yet to have heard anything bad about his sets. Can the people speaking against his sets give specifics instead of general comments about how they’re unhappy? Also mention if you let Davy know that you’re unhappy and if he’s done anything about it?
Dionys
Tony,
Any chance of the pictures yet. 
r[quote][/quote]
Hi Larry! If I remember correctly, you had a chanter with which you were (and still are) happy, so I assume that the problem is in the drones you added later. But, not to be guessing…keep us in suspense! 
Diplomaticly, it might be a good idea to give us a hint, if you’re somewhat new to piping, and we might help you resolve a big probem to you that is otherwise not considered much of a problem to more experienced pipers.
…
[quote][/quote]
Hi Lorenzo,
Thanks very much for your very kind offer for help. However the problem is being resolved now and hopefully I should get the problem corrected.
Yes I have the practice set Davy made me and they are first class as is the chanter. I think probably I have had a bit of bad luck just with the drones, but hopefully the problem will be sorted before too long.
Thanks again Lorenzo for the kind offer.
LarryM,
I think you need to relax a bit. I doubt that there are any pipes owners who haven’t had many grievous moments with their pipes and their makers. And the point of boards like this is to offer advice and to put forward your feelings and thoughts.
We are all human. And we shouldn’t feel that we need to censor ourselves.
And be prepared for many more trials n tribulations in your piping ventures.
Alan
Alan you really know how to brighten up a guy’s day…more trials and tribulations…I cant take it!!
I just want to get playing my pipes!!
My Missus gives me enough trials and tribulations !!
It seems weird to me. In person, people are plenty willing to state a negative opinion of a pipe maker, but in a public forum it seems to be frowned on. Can anyone help me out on why that’s the case? I mean, politeness is good and all, but if people only ever give positive reports then there’s not much basis for comparison. The only bad comments ever posted are about Pakistani sets (which I imagine is easier, since there’s no known name attatched to the sets).
-David
Maybe folks are more adverse towards critique on forums and message boards because our innate judgement tells us that giving a critique in informal conversation is one thing but to write it where it can be viewed publicly opens the door to slander.
I know of people who have critiqued a product on a newsgroup and received phone calls from the makers accusing them of slander and defamation. Whether or not that was a reasonable response remains debatable but these places are still rather public.
A person forms a kind of private relationship with the computer, even if they are at an internet cafe. When somebody questions or refutes your statements it can be easily taken personally because of that relationship and when you get drawn into an argument you don’t stand back and realize that you might be overreacting or look foolish.
This behavior has been the downfall of many a newsgroup, forum, or message board.
Cheers,
Aaron
…