If you were in the market for a new (to you) set of pipes or chanter for that matter and price was not an option, would your preference be for brand new or something that has been seasoned (10 years +) shall we say? If your choice is seasoned… is older better and why?
Slainte,
CJ
I,d like to buy Liam O,Flynn’s rowsome set .Do you think he’d sell them to me if I asked nicely
RORY
My choice is new for a number of reasons;
No-one has messed around with bores, reed seat, toneholes, etc.
Current makers are able to reed their own instruments. Guesswork
is removed from the process.
Makers change their designs, add innovations and so on. With a new
set you get the benefit of this experience and knowledge.
I am able to specify exactly what I want the set to be like.
I wouldn’t be able to afford a Taylor set anyway.
Mike
I bought a used set and couldn’t remove the perspiration stench on the bag. I ended up replacing the bag.
Tony wrote:
I bought a used set and couldn’t remove the perspiration stench on the bag.
For the record, not the “season” I was referring to 
Cheers,
CJ
If you are asking would I go for new set regardless of what else is available, I would have to say that is too black and white. It really depends on the set, as others have mentioned above. If its a grand old set that plays well and in tune, naturally it would be a viable choice. But if its old and wonky and no-one can get it working well, why would I want it? An old set that that plays well and is easily reeded/tuned would have a bit more stability in the wood, I suppose, but is the maker still alive and available if I should run into problems with it? Similarly with new sets, I would want to know that I can collar the bast … er … have ongoing support from the master craftsman who built the set should I have problems down the road.
djm
Money isn’t the only consideration. Time is a big factor. If I have the choice between a new chanter by an established maker and a 10 year-old chanter by the same maker (assuming it’s in good condition) with all the same features (type of wood, chanter top, keys, etc), I’d probably go for the older chanter as most makers have at least a year’s wait. Why wait that long if you don’t have to?
Because the maker probably learned much more in the additional 10 years of pipemaking?
That’s my thought.
I would imagine you may be better off buying a new set (if your are talking full set) of pipes as they are going to be far cheaper than lets say a full set made by the taylor brothers,
about the better pipes, its hard to say as there are some great modern day pipe makers, there were some great older makers whose pipes are very much sought after nowdays, and of coarse the price is going to be extremly high for antique pipes in playing condition.
And what makes these makers great? Is it features / capabilities / styles / knowledge / what is it?
Sound quality, handling quality, playability. TML, you are looking for a ready-made shopping list, and you are not going to find one. Its like reading car reviews; one writer praises the virtues of a car, another writer poops all over the same model.
You need to get out and listen to as many different sets live as possible. Try to get your paws on different sets if you can already play. If there is a pipemaker near you, it would be better to start with him, as you will need all the help you can get as a beginner, and an easily accessed pipemaker can be a lifesaver. See the FAQ FAQ FAQ thread on this forum.
djm
I’d also say that some pipe maker’s as they get too popular, could in fact, put less care into each set made, especially practice sets. So in theory some of their older sets might actually be better than their current ones…
I might be wrong here but these are my suspicions.
OLD!!! 
Deciding factors for me are tone, playability, tuning, ease of reeding and appearance… and not necessarily in that order. After that, age doesn’t really seem to factor in.
I am inclined to disagree with this thought, my reasoning being that the more popular a maker gets, the more they have to work at maintaining their high standard of craftmanship.
I am inclined to agree with Tony. With a few possible exceptions, a craftman’s (pipemaker’s) work can only improve over the years with each and every new trick they have learned to produce a better set of pipes… it is an on-going thing… like learning
Yes to all of the above… and toss in failures, utilizing the ideas of other makers (historic and contemporary) to add a couple more reasons.
Can’t I have both?
misterpatrick wrote:
Can’t I have both?
I think you should
While I agree that a Maker may improve their design over time, assuming that the set or chanter in question meets the requirements mentioned by Joseph and others (tone, playability, tuning, ease of reeding and appearance) I have a thing for old. The stories that the set could tell… places, people etc… intrigues me. I guess that’s why I am a sucker for antique shops
Slainte,
CJ
new, cause that way i am buying the maker as well as the pipes
meir
… very good point.
If I were to buy, and price wasn’t an option, I would certainly buy new.
The reason for this is that the standards for piping and making pipes(in manufacting) has went up over time. The recent years of piping resurgence has created a more and more competitive environment as well as tools and their users are more efficient than before, moreover, the internet has made it possible in the last ten years to aid in this endeavor I’m sure.
upiper71