HI (if anyone reads this)
I’m twelve years old and have been learning the tin whistle (also play the fiddle) and have become reasonably good at it.
I also really want to learn the uilleann pipes.
Anyone got any suggestions on to which pipes are cheap enough and (preferably) made in the UK or Ireland.
Cheers,
Sam
P.S. I’m also on a tight budget (apparently most pipers are) so the cheaper the better but without becoming too cheap and 'orrible!
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=14466
very welcome Sam
I wish I started at 12
Carel
Look through the NPU list and visit a few pipemakers near you and see if you can arrange a visit - if you are lucky they may loan you a set.
Be warned Practice sets start at around £450.00 to £500.00
Also avoid the low priced models that appear in Hobgoblin and on e-bay they are made in Pakistan and rarely work.
Bath - closest suggestions would be Marcus Coulter in Birmingham, Tony Hebdon in Cornwall or Chris Bayley in Surrey.
Marcus Coulter
Tel.: 07989 449870
Email: info@coulterpipes.com
Tony Hebdon
Tel.: 01566 86395
Email: mail@uilleann.co.uk
Christopher Bayley
Tel.: 01737 768272
Email: chris.bayley@virgin.net
Talk to alan Burton.He lives in Bath and will give you some really sound advice.
His website is
What Ben said.
Try find an uilleann pipers club near you. Sometimes they’ll have a spare practice set to lend to new members.
Anyone know where the nearest pipers club to Bath is?
I can’t post anything terribly helpful other than to steer you over to David Daye’s website…
In addition to the sets he offers there is a great wealth of bagpiping information (GHB and Uilleann) to be found.
I’m just starting out on the pipes myself… I do wish I had started when I was 12 (which was about 24 years ago!)!
I wish you the best in your Uilleann endeavors!
Peace!
Reepicheep
What Joe said what Ben said 
Dear Sam,
I am a fiddler and have just started the pipes last year.
I purchased a practice set of pipes from Patrick Sky.
I love the set. The practice sets Pat makes are no way a compromise. They are real working, enjoyable to play sets and the price is very competitive.
Plus, Patrick is a fine reed maker. I know more than a few people who bought practice and half-sets that arrived and were unplayable.
If you contact Patrick, ask him about his tutor book and the other books he has. He is a wealth of information and a great guy to talk to.
Slan,
Jer