I’m splitting this off from the Brian Howard pipes thread. If you have any suggestions for a particular pipemaker, sound off brothers!
Where do you live?
I live in the states, in Columbus, OH. I’m open to US makers, and would probably be more disposed to following good advice. However, I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be in the US, so the location of a maker is not a major concern of mine
Give this guy a thought… or two:
http://www.greenwoodpipes.com/
As you live in the midwest, his pipes ought to acclumate well in your neck of the woods.
Gallagher.
Shortest wait for top notch pipes. Hopefully cost won’t hold you back.
Otherwise you buy what you can… and go thru several sets until you’re happy. The good thing is pipes don’t depreciate like guitars!
you did NOT say “midwest”. grr. I grew up in Wyoming. THAT’S midwest. Sorry, just peeving here. Go ahead, guys! 
You’re right, it isn’t, but that is what Ohio has been called. I grew up in Duluth Minnesota, I consider it the North (and it is the northern most state in the Union) but it is also called the Midwest. :roll:
I actually have. I moved here recently from New Brighton, MN, which is right next to where David lives. Had I known there was a maker in the area before I moved, I would have tried to meet him. I like his turning style a lot–very nice artwork.
The chanter I have from him is a ripper! I am very pleased with it… of course I would say that as he is my pipemaker. But objectively speaking, he does excellent work. The chanter is extremely responsive to triplets and popping. Half holing is a breaze and the over-all tone is magic. I can’t wait to get my fingers wrapped around the new regs and drones he’s building for me.
I’ve not read the other topic so I don’t know whether you’re looking for a practice set, a half set or a full set. However, I suggest you consider Nick Whitmer (www.lightlink.com/nwhitmer). He’s based in Ithaca, NY (OK so its not the midwest).
Nick has a solid reputation as a pipemaker (both UPs and SSPs). The only drawback with Nick is that he doesn’t yet make bass regulators, so you’re limited to 3/4 sets. I should add, however, that he does plan making them - he’s just searching for the best design. I asked him about this when I ordered my drones as I hope to eventually turn it into a full set.
I’m currently waiting on some drones and even now I’m considering asking him to add regs to the order (don’t tell my wife, though). Before I send in the order, I did a lot of research. Everything I heard about him was very positive. Not alone does he give excellent after-sales service, but he takes such pride in his work that he often extends the after-sales service to subsequent purchasers of his pipes. Hearing that gave me great comfort - he takes pride in his work and values his reputation.
Myrddinemrys,
I’d say go with a pipe maker that is close to you geographicaly, also pipe makers in Ireland or the UK will cost a lot more because the exchange rate will kill you. 100 pounds is around $190.
You won’t go wrong with Mr Boisvert.
Tommy
I just picked up a second hand practice set made by Pat Sky. I can vouch for it’s quality. The chanter has dished toneholes and that makes getting my fingers into position MUCH easier… I wish my NSP F set were like that (but alas, there ain’t enough sidewall to the chanter for it). Pat’s bellows and bag are rediculously airtight.
Prior to stumbing across this set, I was very close to ordering a practice set from CJ Dixon. He was very friendly and responsive in his emails. I know he’s new to the pipemaking community, but he impressed me enough that I was willing to take the risk.
Dave Boisvert was the other pipemaker on my radar. The pics of his work on his website just about brought tears to my eyes. His pipes look amazing. I also read a glowing review here at the forum by John Liestman (who wrote, IMHO, the most definitive book on NSP’s ever composed) of one of Boisvert’s narrow bore D chanters. Liestman is a NSP maker/player and if he says the quality of a chanter is excellent, he means it (and knows what he is talking about).
All of the pipemakers in the States are easy to work with. Exact location is not a big deal since they don’t tend to end up in the big cities but in remote locations.
Jim,
Just read your tribute to Joe Shannon (may he Rest in God’s Own Hands) - very nicely done.
Your writing was very well done, and it makes me wish all the more that I had met the man himself - he sounds like a man to be admired, there’s no doubting that.
Slan,
Brian, thanks. I hope to follow up with more on Joe’s music, a few transcriptions, and more personal reflections later this year.
I’ll also be making a cassette or two available of his music to everyone (next week).
I am looking to run a weekend this fall, dedicated to the memory of Joe Shannon and Johnny McGreevy, in Chicago (two concerts - north and south). I hope to nail down a date this month. Part of that weekend will be touring Mount Olivet Cemetery (Francis O’Neill, etc) and placing a stone on John Ennis and Tom Ennis’ grave (the 75th anniversary of John Ennis’s death;Tom only one short year later; many people during the Depression could not afford a stone). Fiddle and pipes workshops for starters and lectures.
ReepicheepSaid:
Prior to stumbing across this set, I was very close to ordering a practice set from CJ Dixon. He was very friendly and responsive in his emails. I know he’s new to the pipemaking community, but he impressed me enough that I was willing to take the risk. >
I’ll second this, Chris Dixon gives excellent service and provides a well made product, you would not go wrong buying from him.
David
CJ Dixon’s bag and bellows look very nice. I look forward to seeing how his chanters turn out. I also like his prices.
I’m excited for you. What kind of wood is it? You wouldn’t happen to have any sound clips laying around with you playing on it, would you? I appreciated you posting that clip of “Give Me Your Hand” played on the Paki-chanter. I didn’t find one on David’s site, and I know he had something posted on it awhile back. Also, if you have a picture of your chanter, that would be awesome.
How do you feel Kirk Lynch’s pipes stand out above the others?