Hi,
I am trying to find out if anyone has any opinions on some pipes, trying to decide on a half set for the future, and wondering who’s waiting list and how much it will cost.
I was looking at Neil O’Grady, Tony Hebdon, Chris Bayley, and Greenwood pipes (David Boisvert) . What I am considering is cost, upgradeability and most of all sound.
I am interested in Concert pitch not a flat set.
If you feel that you need to take this offline, please do.
Slainte,
Steve
My vote is for Greenwood Pipes, David does outstanding work. My chanter is a dream to play both in comfort and tone. His waiting list isn’t too long and his prices are very reasonable for the high quality of his work.
I have known David for roughly 20 years or so and can vouch for his good character, integrity and committment to excellence. You’d do very well to own a set of his pipes.
Plus, as he is in the US, shipping is so much cheaper.
I am seriously considering his pipes. I have sent him a message about a set.
Just waiting for his reply.
Slainte,
Steve
Neil O’grady’s pipes are worth a listen as well.
greenwoods are getting awesome reviews recently.
Yes, they are, I have recently learned of another up and coming maker, that I might have to give a bit of business to.
I am surprised that no one here has commented on Tony Hebdon, or Chris Bayley’s.
Slainte,
Steve
It may help you in the future (if you are a relative beginner that is) to source a “quality” maker within reasonable travelling distance as you are bound to have teething troubles (haven’t we all).
Then again, if you are a player of some experience and can sort out your own maintenance then the choice is simply down to your own personal preferences.
Have you a pipers club in your neck of the woods? This could be the way to go.
Joseph (the UK one) 
I do not have any source around here to really look at anything.
Only one piper in my neck of the woods. We don’t have a club anymore and no reed makers or pipe makers near by. When I say near, I mean within a day of driving. It is pretty much UP Siberia here. 
This is a large source of my contact with the piping community.
I can pretty much take care of maintenance issues on my own. I do play GHB also, so reeds and music are not foreign to me, as well as tuning drones and chanters.
The only new part of this is the bellows. But that is enough, especially learning new fingerings and embellishments on top of that.
It is all a lot of fun and I enjoy it very much.
Cheers,
Steve
I don’t know what your weather is like in New Mexico, but I have just come back from 100 degree heat in central France. Over at the St Chartier Festival only two makers’ sets of pipes were going well; those by Chris Bayley and Brendan Ring’s own set. You should certainly bear Chris in mind if you want a good set of pipes.
Mike