Hi
I only just started playing the pipes, and was lucky enough to get hold of a very nice Brian Howard practise set. I am coming along nicely and the chanter plays easily and in tune. Unfortunately I have heard that due to illness Brian Howard are not able to make pipes anymore.
I know it is recommended to wait about a year or so before adding drones. I have learned many different instruments during the years but must say that the uilleann pipes are the most rewarding instrument so far! My only regret is that I didn’t start sooner. I know I will keep on playing the pipes so I will start looking at options for adding drones.
I have done some searching but seems like there’s no one selling secondhand drones (attached to bag preferably). What options do I have? Would you recommend getting in contact with pipmakers and have a set of drones made or do you recommend buying a complete half set? (I would have to sell my Howard set to fund a half set)
It’s true sets of second hand drones are not that easy to come by. You would certainly find it easiest/quickest to get a good half set and sell the practice set. The advantage of commissioning a new set of drones is you can ask a maker to match the aesthetics, which is exactly what I did when I asked Sam to make me a set of drones to go with my Hunter chanter - you’d need a keen eye to know the set is not “of a piece”.
The other thought with an eye to the long term is that sets with pieces of multiple origin are probably not as easy to shift when the inevitable hankering for a full set arrives…
Drones on there own are indeed uncommon second hand. You see them online occasionally, but maybe only 1 or 2 a year. Like Calum said, most people buy matching sets, either upgrading a set through the same maker or selling and buying a different set. There are almost always quality 1/2 sets for sale online, so I suppose that would be the cheapest option. If you decide to order new from a maker, the wait is anywhere between 6 months - 3 years.
In regards to when you should pick up drones, I was told by two great pipers that you should pick up drones as soon as you reasonably can. That way you can get used to the difference in air requirements and whatnot sooner than later. While I would have liked to pick up drones sooner than I did, for a few reasons (cost being a big one), I’m only now using drones, and I’ve been playing for around 2 years.
Another option may be, although not taking orders at the time, contacting David Daye for a set. If he picks up orders again soon, It would be a cheaper alternative to a ‘proper’ set & probably not a very long wait time. I’ve had quite a few pipers comment they were very impressed with the sound knowing what they were. Nice loud bass on mine.
Also check on the uilleannobession site’s classifieds. Something pops up every now and then. There seems to be one now (James Riddle’s) that appears willing to sell drones (S Gallagher made) independently.