Franken-sets or Pakistanis....

Uilleann Pipes
1

Hi everyone…after years I still have the bug to play the pipes, but unfortunately not the $$$. I had a CJ Dixon practice set briefly, then life struck and I needed the dough. Anyway, my questions are…how feasible is it for a new piper to possibly piece together a good set by purchasing chanter, bag and bellows separately? If that would even be less costly, would it play right, especially being set up by unskilled hands?

As for the Pakistani pipes…I have read the stickied topic several times, and continue to see these things on eBay…especially viral on there are the Geoffrey ones. Are Pakistanis pretty much 100%, not one good set on the planet sort of things? Or do they ever get it right? They are so less costly, but I need a playable instrument. Any opinions on David Daye? (seems to be the cheapest maker with a good rep to boot) And is Uilleann Pipeworks of Boston gone? Always liked the looks of their sets.

Lastly, if anyone has a set they want to part with, let me know. :stuck_out_tongue: I am exploring trading or selling both a Yamaha 12string acoustic/electric guitar, or a really nice 88-key Casio Privia MIDI keyboard…trying to do anything I can to get back with a set. Thanks for any help.

2

Forget about Pakistani sets. You’re just throwing your money away. They don’t play well.

If you’re on a budget, look at a David Daye set. You can get one for about $600. If you’re not all thumbs, you can buy and assemble your own kit for about $400. Have a look at his website (www.daye1.com).

There’s nothing wrong with a frankenset (particularly a mix of bellows, bag and chanter). When mixing components, you want to be sure that the chanter will fit the bag and the bag will fit the bellows.