Well this is an old dream come true. After fifteen years of yearning for those weird pipes from across the Irish sea, I have finally gotten my first little set. I do have a 3/4 set on order from a reputable maker, but the waiting time is so long that I decided to nail down the basics first with a second hand instrument before I try to squeeze a tune out of a larger size, brand new instrument. So a couple of weeks ago I bid on eBay for a “Charles Roberts practice set”, and I won!
I have been playing Renaissance and Baroque recorders for over 20 years, but when it comes to bagpipes, I’m a complete neophyte. And that’s why I was hoping I could get a wee bit of help from you seasoned experts out there. After all, I’m not sure there are legions of pipers in the Orlando area.
My first question is: is there a uilleann piper in Central Florida? I’ll probably need some lessons at one point in the future. I could probably drive to Tampa but South Florida is a little far to justify a day-trip.
My other question is: how do you know for sure that your chanter is made by Mr. Roberts? Mine sure looks like other chanters made by the maker, but there is no “signature” per se (whereas all recorders have a “stamp” from their maker). I have put a picture of the set on a website:
The seller told me that the bag and bellows were probably not made by Mr. Roberts. Who do you think made the bag and bellows? Are they of comparable quality to the bag and bellows that Mr. Roberts would make? (I tried them: they are no leaks!)
Yet another question is: the bag appears to have been modified. You can notice a patch on the picture. The new location for the valve/tube is about three inches closer to the center of the bag. This forces me to hold the bag too far forward, with my left arm resting on the back of the bag instead of the center. Is it normal? Was it a defect? Did the bag break? Was it customized for a child? Is this going to be a problem? Do I need to get another bag?
Thank you for your help! I hope I made a good purchase (my brain still has to justify the expense, somehow–not to mention the budget), and I need reassurance from the community… Let me know!
Joseph: I’ll definitely register for the 2005 Florida Tionól!
I can assure you that the chanter is a C Roberts 's one; design of the wood part, reed cap, design of the Cnat key, even if it’s not signed by the maker (my C Robert’s Chanter made at the end of 1999, has be signed, but the much recent’s I’ve seen in his workshop in July 2002 where not)
for the bag and the bellows, these are not C Roberts’s design; but it’s not important; the only things important are that they work properly and no leaks
The “patched” hole is the tying in point for the main stock so would guess that the bag was originally from a half / full set.
The blowpipe is tied in further back so that the main stock with drones regulators are positioned across the the front of the body and over the right leg.
It would tend to get in the way if it was directly below
your blowpipe tube is probably too short for you, and that’s why you have the bag so far forward. This tube length has to match a specific piper’s girth.
Visit your local hardware store, and purchase a length of tubing that will best fit your needs and replace the one you have. They will cut it whatever length you desire.
I really appreciate the great feedback I’ve gotten. Thank you all.
I have on my shopping list:
A longer plastic tube to accomodate my 32-inch girth
Two leather strings to replace the missing ones on the bellows
A sturdy case to protect the beautifully chromed chanter
A yard or two of black velvet to make a nice looking bag cover (if you have done that to your bag please PM some pictures for inspiration!)
Thank you also for the educated comment about the origin of the bag. At least I know it is not a defect!
And yes, I do have roots in Brittany. My maternal grandfather is still living in Landuvez (Penn-ar-bed) and he is a fluent Breton speaker. I also have some Irish ancestry via my paternal grandmother. Whether it explains my predilection for Celtic music or not is another story.
This looks very much like the bellows which would have gone with the K&Q B set that was advertised on this forum a few months ago. The pad pocket has been removed, and the leather sleeve has been removed from the outlet tube. The hinge block is also missing.
The blowpipe also looks like one of mine, although the neck plug does not. The bag looks like a K&Q, too.
You will probably want to replace the block that is missing between the bellows cheeks, although the bellows will work well enough without it. Something like this:
