I’m getting ready to buy my first set of pipes. I’m really tempted to go the Dayes 3/8 set route (has two drones). I’m an Irish flute player too. I’m wondering if this is like when flute players want keys before they get a handle on the keyless flute? Or can I expect to use the drones right away? If so, it sure is a great deal money wise and I’ve heard a ton of good things about the penny chnater staying in tune etc. I’d appreciate any advice. Brian
Brian,
Do not settle for ‘cheap’ or ’ inexpensive’. The Piob Uilleann rerquire that you spend your life learning the frickin’ things!
If cash is an issure, then come to terms with that just as soon as you can… if you want a good/great set of pipes, then time (nor cash) will be a deterent.
If you want something quicker, and by a maker who is not only an artisan, but a musician… I advise you to to check out David Boisvert @ Grennwoodpipes.com. David is fast upon his way to being the greatest pipemaker of his time… and regarding this, I do not dispute nor Bull-Frickken-Shit it!!!
But… enough said… go on, GO AWWWWWN, cast your vote.!
Amen, brother. I am a convert to the Cult of Greenwood. 
Back to the topic…The best thing about uilleann drones is that you can switch them off.
Although, If I had the choice between an average half-set and a practice set with a good chanter, I would go for the practice set.
Mukade
Weigh out your options. It sounds like you’re ready to drop some dough soon. David Daye’s stuff is pretty good for what it is: plastic and brass (though he will soon have a wood chanter option, which I’m anxious to see how that turns out–no pun intended). I put together a penny-chanter myself, and it has a really good tone. There are members of this board who are owner of Daye sets and will vouch for his work. I have corresponded with Mr. Daye a few times and he is very happy to answer questions, and answers emails in a very timely manner. Very good on the customer service end, and his wait time is gradually shrinking.
On the other hand, for just a few hundred more (approximately), you could get a traditional set. I would say Mr. Boisvert would be a great option; he has a nice turning style and a great sound. Personally, I have a deposit for a Ray Sloan set that was made back in March, so Ray Sloan is my pipemaker of choice. A little more pricey and an overseas maker (for which Joseph Smith should smack me), but I just fell in love with his sound and how beautifully crafted his work is.
I would write down pros and cons on a peice of paper for either route, and let your judgement follow suit. A little advice doesn’t hurt either. 
Easy for you to say, Mr. Full-Set-Pending…I’m about to haul my ass off fo graduate school in a WEEK. I will probably have NEGATIVE money for many years to come, and yet…I wanna send off a deposit for regs sssooooooooooooooooooooo baaaaaaaaaaaaaad. I mean, I figure if I’m gonna go into debt, a few thousand more on top ain’t gonna make that much of a difference…That and I’m in the midst of wooing a very pretty girl at the moment which is rapidly cutting into my regulator funds…Woe is me…
There’s a guy who has set up a webpage stating that he’ll eat his pet rabbit if people don’t send him $50,000 dollars by sometime in July…So far, he’s apparently earned $30,000 dollars…Damn, you could buy at least TWO top-quality full sets with that money…
Pretty girls?? Graduate degrees??
We are talking about pipes here, and uilleann pipes at that.
As the great philosopher Metallicus once said, “Nothing else matters.”
You’ll be saying you need to spend money on food and clothes next.
Mukade
Hey man, don’t forget the idle rabbit threats…Anybody got a spare rabbit?
Forget clothes and food…I’ve taken to wearing a burlap sack and a spare bag cover over my head…Tres chic, let me tell you…
Was Metallicus pre- or post-Socratic?
That’s what I thought 5 years ago. Believe me, that ‘few thousand more’ in my case ‘that few hundred more’ multiplied a few times back then is what is now preventing me from having that extra bit of ‘fun money’ that I could be saving for regs.
I used to think if you aint got the cash, don’t buy it. Then I let that philosophy slip, and boy don’t I regret it.
Cheers,
DavidG
What was the question again? Oh yeah:
I don’t think it’s too much too soon. Many people start out with half sets. You can use the drones whenever you like, but obviously it’s better to master the chanter first. However, you can just switch off the drones. Personally, I invested in a good chanter first and got the drones later. However the down-side of this is that you’ll feel a little naked playing a practice set, particularly when someone (e.g. your teacher) sits beside you playing a full set. At times like that, you’ll wish you had bought drones.
I can’t give you any first had advice about the Daye chanter. DD’s reputation as a maker is good. In fact, he seems to be one of the few non-traditional pipemakers that doesn’t get lambasted on this forum. That probably counts for a lot!!
Along the lines of traditional pipemakers, I suggest you have a look at Nick Whitmer (www.lightlink.com/nwhitmer). I can personally recommend Nick as a first rate pipemaker. I own a set of drones, I had one of his chanters for a month (while he added keys to mine) and will shortly be going back to him for regulators. Nick’s prices, while not cheap, are competitive. His lead time is shorter than most. He’s also a very nice guy to deal with.