Greetings… I’m a wooden fluter who’s seriously thinking of taking up the pipes… I don’t know much about them ('cept I love the sound), but would like to get a decent left-handed practice set to see if this is something I can stick with… I’ve read all the debates about lefty vs right, and I feel I’ll do better with a left set - does anyone have a good set like this for sale? I’d like to find a used one in really good, ready to play condition… thanks for any replies.
Tod
Here’s a good place to keep watching.
http://www.uilleannobsession.com/classifieds.html
Currently there is a L. H. set of Gallagher drones available, and I don’t think a L. H. chanter would be too hard to find, or a R. H. chanter that fits your hands comfortably.
Wouldn’t I still be missing some essential parts in-between the chanter and drones? 
- Tod
A right handed chanter will do you fine the same as a right handed flute will. If it is fully keyed then there may be issues reaching those notes but you wouldn’t be playing them for a long time anyway so you may want to look on this set as a set to learn on then upgrading once you figure out what you like/need exactly. If there is heavy scalloping on the holes that can be an issue also depending on whether the scallops are angled or not, this isn’t common though. Other than that it’s nothing to worry about.
On my site there is a Des Seery chanter and and the left handed drones that Joeseph mentioned. That could be a good combination for you? I just noticed that they are from the same seller also so it could be a sign? 
http://www.uilleannobsession.com/classifieds.html#11
All the best,
Patrick.
BTW - Do I know you?
Hello, Patrick … I don’t recognize you from the picture , but the name’s familiar. I used to go to the Celtic Arts Center in N. Hollywood a lot, possibly we met if you went there.
Those blocks on the chanter, doesn’t matter which hand is top? and where would I get the rest of the rig if I went with that chanter and drones… by the time I put everything together, wouldn’t I end up with a fairly high end 1/2 set for someone who’s never picked up pipes before?
Regards to you,
Tod
Maybe. Do you play Boehm system flute as well as timber flute?
No. They only matter if you will be adding keys later but that’s rarely ever done anyway. People usually just go for a new chanter altogether. They can matter if they are in awkward positions for your fingers though so it would be best to be able to try out a chanter first… or just get used to it. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger 
CJDixon seems to be making well priced decent quality stuff. He’s on this me message board I think.
Good luck,
Patrick.
Tod,
Since you’re in L.A., it would be worth your while to come to the next SCUPC meeting (Sun., Nov. 12th, if I’m not much mistaken). They’ll be a variety of sets on hand and you can get a better idea of what’s out there.
-No E
Hi again… can someone tell me what makes drones left or right handed? I’m thinking I would like to get a narrow bore chanter, as I’d prefer as soft a sound as possible for my home playing - hoping to get to the next SCUPC meeting - I’m sure I will learn a lot… thanks - Tod
When a right handed piper plays, the drones go from left to right. The tenor drone is the closest to you and the bass is the furthest away. For a left handed played, the drones would go from right to left but the tenor will still be closest and the bass furthest away.
I don’t know why it needs to be this way.
Try tune the drones on a full set with the small drone on the far side. You’ll get it then.
Yes - but a good few of the 19th century sets seem to have been designed this way, with the tenor drone on the far side. Aren’t there a couple of Harrington sets that seem to have been set up this way?
Not a big deal, just slightly awkward perhaps.
Any right-handed practice set should be easily switched to left handed, by replacing the bag with one whose fittings are on the opposite side (re-using the old fittings). A new L&M bag from NPU should run around 100 euro, and the refit should take under an hour. Since used sets often have dodgy bags anyway, there’s no reason to limit your search to left handed sets IMO.
regards,
Bill