For sale - Dave Williams practice set in D - keyless blackwood chanter, imitation ivory and brass mounts, made 1996, reeded and playing really nicely. Leather bag and bellows, green velvet bag cover. £1,200 plus postage -unless you can collect in person.
PM if you are interested.
Ken
any sound samples?
Wow!! a great opportunity 
just a question regarding the price?
as I am new to the pipes and don’t really know much about the prices of pipes/makers etc:…so my question is how come these pipes are valued at £1,200?..I have noticed new pipes for sale for much less on ebay/ also on UP makers websites they offer brand new practice sets well below the price quoted above?
Is it to do with the maker of these pipes why they are more valuable in price and quality?
touchy subject there lad..take my advice: don’t ask such questions…
I asked a similar one weeks ago…still feelin the handprint…
:>
Seems like a fair enough question for a beginner…in fact is seems like THE question that should be asked by every beginner. There is a great sticky on the top of this forum titled "Pakistani UPs and other ‘budget sets’… the facts " : https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/pakistani-ups-and-other-budget-sets-the-facts/33245/1
Yes, I totally understand the Paki issue..
ugh
In my case, I got grief by bringing up a very reputable maker, who it would seem
is charging cut throat rates according to a few..
but I’ve said too much already.
R
Dave Williams was one of the most sought after pipemakers in the world. Many world class pipers play his sets. Sadly, Dave died a couple of years ago. This explains why his sets are offered at a higher price. It’s as simple as that.
That’s precisely my analysis. (guess)
I don’t think I’m asking a lot for this set, Dave charged about this for a practice set back in 2003 and there was a spate of Williams full sets for sale last year all going around 10,000 euro.
Ken
yeah I found out through a member on this site today that Dave Williams passed away not so long ago. and in fairness if his pipes are “highly regarded and sought after”, then it stands to reason that his pipes would attract a higher price? I don’t see anything wrong with that.
Having ordered my first practice set ( never played before ) I hope that my pipes, In time, will even at least hold their value, or even not dropping to much in price.
I like my pipes too
your right about the Pakistani pipes there best avoided, but in fairness to the reputable maker who you claim, or others may claim about charging cut throat prices…at the end of the day pipes are handmade and take alot of work and expertise to get them made to a very high standard ( which is what people want? ) then why wouldn’t the top Pipe makers charge extra for there craftsmanship and “brand name” which should hold there value if it comes to re-selling anyway.
If a person was offered a choice of 2 cars one being a Ford the other a Mercedes …which one would a person choose?..the Mercedes…why?..because its a better build of a car.
as I said in a previous post I am new to the pipes so I don’t really know to much about pipes to judge or make comments about them or makers…but I think the above post is a realistic anwser regarding the prices etc:…ya get what ya pay for!
P.S. Maybe I have said to much aswell…both of us will be in the dog house lol
I was going to order the pakistani pipes or the other budget sets of ebay etc: until I found this website and the Uilleann forum.
I.m glad I came across this site and the link above before I made the plunge.
great advice and knowledge on here.
Good question. Personally I think that most folks buy Mercedes because it is a status symbol. Most people don’t have the driving skills to really appreciate how truely fine a Merc really is - they’re just going on the name.
also, most people can’t afford the repairs of a mercedes. so Ford it is! 
I watch Top Gear. I appreciate how truly fine a Merc really is, even though I’ve never driven one. If James May says so…
The Mercedes has a new home.
Thanks for all your comments.
Ken
If the Ford says “GT 40” and the Mercedes says “190d” and the price is the same, get the Ford.
