Eastern made bellows...

Uilleann Pipes
1

Ok I know it’s blood pressure issue on here generally but can anyone tell me if the bellows supplied with the Pakistani pipes are any use at all?
Mine are getting a little bit squishy.

Djimbo.

2

I had a chance to inspect a set of bellows which came with a 1/2 set made in Pakistan. Here’s a list of the issues:

  1. Multiple leaks where the gusset was glued to the clappers
  2. The valve popped out and required extra binding to keep it in place
  3. The flap on the valve was not air-tight and had to be replaced
  4. The vinyl which formed the gusset was very tough and working it required significant effort
  5. There was no leather hinge which made pumping the bellows extremely inefficient (this was probably an oversight by the maker but what does that say about the overall quality control, not to mention workmanship)?

My advice would be to avoid the Pakistani made bellows. If money is a problem, buy a bellows kit from CJ Dixon ($140) or David Daye ($150). Also, there is a wide selection of good quality bellows in the $300 range. Finally, you could throw caution to the wind and get yourself the Cadillac of bellows from Mike Dow.

3

I had bought this one recently:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UILLEANN-PRACTICE-SET-GEOFFREY-MADE-PIPES-CASE-UR1_W0QQitemZ250222493752QQihZ015QQcategoryZ16226QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Bag and bello are 100% airtight, are genuine leather, don´t look too bad und can easily be “asthetically upgraded”. Chanter and reed are expectantly crap (nach dem Anzünden auf den Boden legen und sich rasch entfernen), but a used playable chanter can easily come buy. I don´t have any long term experience, but this gear gives quite good an impression. It seems to be quite good value so far. On the other hand - you can imagine a woman from Pakistan working for pennies.

4
  1. Multiple leaks where the gusset was glued to the clappers
  2. The valve popped out and required extra binding to keep it in place
  3. The flap on the valve was not air-tight and had to be replaced
  4. The vinyl which formed the gusset was very tough and working it required significant effort
  5. There was no leather hinge which made pumping the bellows extremely inefficient (this was probably an oversight by the maker but what does that say about the overall quality control, not to mention workmanship)?

Apart from that they were fine eh… :boggle:
OK I’m convinced, thanks for the reply PJ.
(They do take a loverly photograph though, ideal for over the fireplace or better still, I suppose, in it) :wink:

Djimbo