FS: Neil O'Grady cocobolo chanter and/or bag & bellows

Uilleann Pipes
1

For sale a Neil O’Grady concert chanter in cocobolo. It has 3 keys: C natural, Bb, and F natural. I bought this chanter about 6 months ago. It came with no reed. I reeded it myself (you can guess where the cane came from). I personally play a Neil O’Grady full set and make my own chanter reeds, so I knew when I bought it that I could probably reed it.

While I like the sound of Neil’s chanters (with the right reed in it), I don’t like his extra large mounts (“marsh-mellow mounts” as I’ve heard them referred to by others). So I personally ground and sanded by hand the mounts in order to make it look more ascetically normal. Also, Neil makes his chanters with a large thumb rest. I ground and sanded down the thumb rest as well, making the grip like any other normal Uilleann chanter. (I did all this to my own chanter years ago). Please see the pictures below of what this chanter now looks like. I have included at the bottom a borrowed picture showing what it looked similar to before hand.

The chanter is well in tune and has good tone. The back D hole was enlarged a bit by Bruce Childress this past August at the Piper’s Gathering in Vermont. It has helped to stabilize the back D note very well. However, other than the cosmetic work and Bruce opening the back D, there has been no altering of the bore.

The reed is very stable, and has been for the past 4 months since I made it (hard D, solid back D, and even the third octave D). The chanter sings and is fun to play. Please check out the sound clips.

The first sound file is of Tim Benson playing the chanter back in August at the Piper’s Gathering in Vermont ( 55% humidity and higher). (Thanks Tim!). It was recorded in a room with a lot of echo.

http://www.box.net/shared/f5arm4b7di

The second file is of myself playing the chanter a few days ago here in California (30% humidity).

http://www.box.net/shared/uqgu3otn3h

Both sound files are rough, on the spot, recordings made with a little Sansa Clip MP3 player.

Pictures:

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb103/gdane78/DSCN1093.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb103/gdane78/DSCN1096.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb103/gdane78/DSCN1100.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb103/gdane78/DSCN1108.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb103/gdane78/DSCN1107.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb103/gdane78/DSCN1090.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb103/gdane78/DSCN1087.jpg


What the chanter looked similar to before the alterations.
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb103/gdane78/14_3.jpg

I’m looking to sell just the chanter, HOWEVER I also have a bag (brand new Tim Benson bag with O’Grady stocks) and bellows (O’Grady) that I would be willing to sell also (see pictures). The bellows has wood screws instead of the wood tacks that it came with originally. I replaced these myself a couple years ago making the bellows much more solid. It also has a CJ Dixon arm pad. Both bellows and bag are air tight, in good condition, and should last for years.

Bag and Bellows

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb103/gdane78/DSCN1097.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb103/gdane78/DSCN1099.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb103/gdane78/DSCN1098-1.jpg


I bought the chanter with the idea of reeding it and selling it, but am only getting around to selling it now. For a while, I thought about keeping it because it played so well, but finally decided I don’t need two Neil O’Grady chanters. I’m content with own chanter.

I’d like $900 US for the chanter, and $300 for the bag and bellows; but will take $1100 for the whole practice set. I am more than willing to to do Paypal or take a cashier’s check/money order. I will ship anywhere in the world - buyer to pay shipping.

Thanks for your time. Sorry this became a long advert, but I wanted to explain all the details of the chanter.

All the best,

2

This is a bump. however I wanted to directly post some of the pictures instead of having to click on them. The sound files and more of the original pictures are still in the post above.

I will take $700 for the chanter, and $200 for bag & bellows. Open for offers. If interested email or PM. Thanks


3

The bag & bellows are sold.

To hopefully hasten the sale of the chanter, I am reducing the price of the chanter to $600 US plus shipping.

This really is a great sounding chanter. Loud enough to be heard in a session but not sound like you play the highland pipes. The reed plays great in low humidity, and mid-high moister as well. Super stable. I think 600 is a pretty good deal for someone who wants to get into uilleann piping, or wants to take a step up from their current chanter. TAlso, if anything happens to the reed in the next year or so, I will replace it for free!

Email or PM me. Thanks

4

bump… chanter is still for sale. Was playing it yesterday and is still sounding great.

5

Hi All

Just to back up what Joseph has said. I have played this chater myself and really is a great sounding chanter with a sweet tone. Would be very suitable for experienced players or beginners. Plus with one of Josephs reeds in it i’ll bet its as good as your gonna get.

Hope your well Joseph :wink:

6

hi all. The chanter is now sold!

all the best,

7

Congrats Joseph!

Good to see you at the weeekend.

Patrick.

8

Patrick,
thank you very much. It was indeed great getting to see you and the guys. A better bunch of scoundrels I’ve never met. It was especially GREAT getting to play with you a bit at the session Saturday night. Thanks for the encouraging word. The Holy Order sounded great all weekend as always.

Best,