I’m very interested in the Uilleann Pipes; I don’t play them as yet, however, I’m very determined. I do play the Highland Pipes and the Scottish Small Pipes as well as some whistle. So, I recognize the difference with the Highland Pipes and the Uilleann Pipes. My question: I would really like some feedback regarding the Uilleann Pipes made by Jim Daily both the 1/2 set and the full set. Any comments, insights would be most appreciated. Thanks, Psychodonald
Jim’s pipes are a little unconventional to say the least.
Starting out is better with a practice or a half set rather than a full set even though you already play other pipes.
There are several half sets for sale including this one currently on Ebay by C&F member Mike Hulme at a very good price
He is offering it with a second chanter to C&F members
John
Hi psycodonald
Jim makes very nice sounding pipes, they will look a bit different from the usual set of UPs (to say the least), but you will have no complaints as to the sound.
If you are thinking of ordering from him a tip from me would be to order one similar to his current personal set, this has 2 drones and single regulator, with 4 keys and an un-keyed chanter. It is a compact set, the bass drone is bent round the bottom of the regulator and the resonator sits beside the stock.
Jim is currently in Ireland, if you want to get further information etc, PM Uilliam - he makes the bags and bellows for Jim’s sets.
David
Hi All!
I’m the uilleann piper from Poland. I play the Jim’s chanter. It is easy to play. I bought Jim’s practice set from my friend at only $100. For me is great, but in fact is unconventional.
Adam
Just got chance for one of kind halfset for test from friend …quite strange dronereed system, theres no separate reed in drone,reed is made straigth to end of the wooden
dronepart what is cut on the bias and plastic reedblade binded on it.
Never seen thiskinda before.
Uilleann Piping is vastly different from GHB, and not so vastly different than SSP… providing you play the bellows blown variety.
I have no personal experience with Jim Daily’s instruments what-so-ever. But I would urge you to select and purchase a practice set from a well known Uilleann Pipemaker. By this, I am suggesting you stick to a more conventional style of pipes if you are just starting out.
READ the FAQ, FAQ, FAQ, at the top of this forums’ front page.
Edited to remove questionable content. 
I welcome anyone pushing the boundaries in Uilleann Pipemaking. It makes a small step to balancing those who are making copies of existing designs.
As usual, their work should be judged on timbre, tuning, playabilty and appearance. Although how we share this information is problematic.
Such makers are usually on the edge of acceptability whatever their craft but sometimes aspects of their work filter back into the mainstream for the benefit of all.
David
Thanks David for defending Jim, though knowing him he would laugh his head off reading JES’s post.
Jim’s drone reed system is logical to my mind as it removes one source of problems - there no chance of the reeds moving or coming out during transport. They are quick to reed as well, having seen Jim do it to a set of new drones he was making - from cutting the styrene reed pieces to playing in the stock was less than 10 minutes.
You may quibble about the look of Jim’s pipes (god knows, some of the experiments Uilliam and I have seen have been pretty unusual looking), but they sound lovely and that is what counts.
David
Joseph - I know you didn’t intend it but your post suggests that Jim Daily is not a “quality” maker. The only criticism I’ve heard of his work is that it departs from the standard - some might call this innovation. I’ve never heard any criticism of the quality of his work.
David - you make a very good point about the benefits of innovation making their way back into the mainstream. Imagine the reaction for him contemporaries when a now unknow pipemaker decided to lop a few inches off a pastoral pipes chanter a few hundred years back.
Let me apologize for the the post regarding JD’s pipes. I certainly do not mean to criticize Jim’s work or it’s quality. I was, rather, encouraging a new person to Uilleann Piping to decide upon a set of known high quality. Jim’s designs are innovative and I do not want to discourage that, but I think when starting out, sticking to the “norm” is a wiser choice. That is all I meant my post to state.
If I have offended anyone by that post, please accept my humble apologies, it was never intended to question the quality of anybody’s hard work.
That is all.
JESmith
Can someone explain how Daily’s stuff would be unconventional? As compared to . . . ?
Well, for one thing, he makes regulator keys from wood, instead of metal:
http://www.uilleann-pipes.com/gallery/details.php?image_id=24
You should have a look at his website. It contains soundfiles: