Tony I think I have become a “by-stander at a car accident” just looking to animate a little conversation.No harm intended…PS Scotland is a small country and the handful of uilleann pipers including the maker here are my friends.I tried to redress the balance when one of the forum members opined on the look of the chanter and probably killed the auction.Many of the pipers I know here are playing sets made by Jim and none of them are complaining which speaks for itself.
[ This Message was edited by: Uilliam on 2002-08-26 06:10 ]
The eBay audience is far greater than this message board reaches, our comments couldn’t have hurt the sale. If you were feeling it might have jepodarized the sale you should have prompted a good reference about the maker at that point.
People put money on noname pipes from Pakistan all the time, many of them go into the auction knowing the pipes may not play.
This auction only had one small picture and a very breif description. More pictures and a sound file would have helped. A lower opening bid may have lured the curious to see how low the reserve was.
Tony its all rather academic now.I wouldnt underestimate the power of the written word.Can you explain your surprise at Basoons being made from Maple?I have seen and played chanters made from many different woods Maple included and I wouldnae say it was a bad tone.Re Animas chanter needing rebore many times.I would say that is indicative of a dodgy piece to start with.
Actually, I think eBay allows a free re-listing so maybe the second round might be better. More pictures, detailed description, perhaps including a tutorial on pipes or small instruction booklet could certainly help the sale.
All other wood ‘woodwinds’ are made from exotic dark colored woods except the Bassoon. I don’t know the reason for this. I do know that my friend who repairs bassoons (and only bassoons) does a lot of rebuilding to the bottom bend (boot) where moisture accumulates and that section is prone to rot. There are many woods that are more resistant to moisture penetration than maple. I do plan to research this more.
Chris Langan made several Maple chanters, they worked fine at the time, taking into account that maple doen’t have the acoustic qualities of ebony [which is high in harmonics]. Pat Hutchinson has a three quarter set by Chris in Maple, that still seems to work.
Well, it wouldn’t be my choice either but it can be done. Haven’t heard PH play for donkeys years so can’t remember really. I have some pics though if you want a look.
I guess the same goes for American cherry. A few makers are doing keyless ‘broomstick’ chanters, some flat pitch. I heard one (in C) on the phone recently. The owner loved it and it sounded pretty lively.
I don’t think my maple Lynch chanter needed re-boring because it was maple so much as becasue it was Kirk’s second chanter. I imagine that it sits pretty low down on his learning curve. It is suitable as a backup practice stick, but that’s about it. I kinda like the old thing though… It’s got a history and I find that appealing. I plan on starting my son up on the pipes in the future and it will probably be his first stick (mainly because the reed is so easy and it is light)
Thanks, anima, for the pics and comments on Stephensons’ pipe. He told me that he will be putting up some sound clips very soon. I notice you have one key on the #2 chanter…
BTW, where are you located? No reed problems, I take it. I’m in Midwest, USA, and wondering…
I’m in the midwest also, Kansas City. And yes I have had reed problems, but I’m not so sure it was the reeds fault as my inability to leave well enough alone. I am an inveterate tinkerer. The schizophrenic humdity changes here drive me crazy.
I now make my own reeds (after I cracked my orginal reed) - and Davy was very helpful with this also.