did some searching for a thread like this but didn’t find any, so my question:
Who are the makers most famous for producing high-quality Bb sets at preferably low waiting times and affordable prices (if there are any…)?
I know Rogge and Angus (anyone got his home page url if he has one?). Seth Gallagher only makes B sets which is way to shrill for me - in fact Bb is just more usual for other instruments like guitars and so on. And I love the sound.
Your best bet for a new quality set that works/plays in tune would be Alain Froment or Chris Bailey. I don’t know if Geoff Wooff or Kevin Thompson make Bb sets. A secondhand Dave Williams Bb would be well worth getting hold of, but I doubt there are many around. Froment has a long waiting list, but Chris Bailey may have a shorter waiting period
Thanks for your messages, Chris Bayley finally made it. I’m in touch with him to discuss the details. Will start with a Bb practise set which will be upgraded to a fullset in stages (since me is student and students are poor. ).
Will be made of ebony, boxwood and brass, bore by Egan, measure by Kiernan, overall design by Coyne (I think).
Will post pics & sounds when I got it.
Greetings,
G
Way to go Gabriel. There have been tuning issues with Brad’s Bb sets for some reason or other it transpires, and Rogge’s drones are harsh sounding I think myself.
I’ve only heard good things regarding Chris Bailey’s pipes. Chris has been making pipes for some time now, and the best maker of concert pitch pipes, Dave Williams R.I.P., went to Chris Bailey to learn, and get advice when he was starting out back in 1976/77. Chris is a nice bloke as well
Good choice Gabriel. Chris makes fine pipes (I just ordered a full set in D from him), has a lot of experience and a waiting list that is not as ridiculous as some other pipemakers.
It is a good idea to find a maker not too far away. I will never again buy a set from someone more than a couple of hours away from me. And allways pick it up in person.
Well, Chris is more than a couple of hours away from me
…but the only flatpipe maker I know in germany is Andreas Rogge whose waiting list is a bit too long for my gusto. 4 years…
Nevertheless I think about flying over to England when the fullset is finished. It’s too worthy for entrusting to postage companies…since I know how they throw packets around.
And flight prices aren’t too high, with some luck I get flight+return for around 60 euros. Reasonable.
Yes, Ryan Air do cheap flights, but when flying out of London you’re only allowed one item of handbagage so be prepared, if you fly Ryan Air, to have the pipes broken down into a suitably sized case or bag that they’ll allow into the cabin with you. I believe Joe Kennedy does Bb pipes too and I think he’s relocated to Ireland from Canada. I don’t think you’ll have any problems with a Chris Bailey set though as regards tuning or sound.
[quote=“Steampacket”]Yes, Ryan Air do cheap flights, but when flying out of London you’re only allowed one item of handbagage so be prepared, if you fly Ryan Air, to have the pipes broken down into a suitably sized case or bag that they’ll allow into the cabin with you. quote]
nah you should be fine there, i got a ryanair flight from shannon to liverpool and back a few weeks ago and took my pipes on as hand luggage, thats a full set. my friend sean had his banjo on too so it should be fine.
Yes, Joe can do you up a fine set of Bb pipes, and yes, he is now located in Armagh. However, his current waiting time is about four years, so I don’t know if that meets your criteria for short waiting lists.
“nah you should be fine there, i got a ryanair flight from shannon to liverpool and back a few weeks ago and took my pipes on as hand luggage, thats a full set. my friend sean had his banjo on too so it should be fine.” Big Time wrote.
That’s good, hopefully the paranoid London airport security is starting to ease up at last.
- in fact Bb is just more usual for other instruments like guitars and so on. And I love the sound.
).