Most of the criticism I’ve heard about Pakistani pipes relate to the chanters and regs. I recall Antaine’s article mentioned the extensive reworking done to the chanter and regulators by Tim Britton. However, what about the drones? Since the drones aren’t keyed, how much trouble reworking do they need? Even Antaine mentioned that his drones were beautiful and stable once a little blutak was added.
Could Pakistani drones be a viable option?
The ones I played (several years ago) were not at all balanced, difficult to keep in tune, and had a buzzing quality that I found rather irritating.
That was in 2000, so perhaps they’ve improved their workmanship, or perhaps not.
As for the set I played, I’d have to say that in regards to “viability”, they were indeed viable.
As firewood.
I have the same ones as Antaine, and have fitted them with brass and styrene reeds. They have been extremely stable since (4 months without a single tuning issue), and are very well balanced with each other. To me, they could stand to be a bit louder relative to the chanter, but I think that’s more an issue with chanter reed setup. Mr. Britton himself said that the drones are pretty good and didn’t require much work at all, unlike the rest of the stuff. I plan on building a full set around them sometime.
Deleted
David
Apologies. My intention was not to offend, merely to abbreviate. I’ve edited the original post.
PJ
I was going to say the same… The reeds are really the only problem with the Pakistan drone’s, New reeds and they work well…
Also, cosmetically, they’re not even too bad. Generally new reeds, a bit of polishing and some waxed thread for the joints and you’re all set. Of course, they may vary from case to case.
Thanks PJ, I’ve removed my initial post.
David
The drones on this recording are Pakistani made.
http://www.tinwhistletunes.com/clipssnip/Audio/11-04/MoChroiaganDorasJosephS.mp3
i dont know about uilleanns, but paki GHB pipes drones could be aged more, harder the wood the better.
Bíonn caora dhubh ar an tréad is gile. :roll:
Thank you Joseph 
True dat. I would stay away from an Bagpipes made in Pakistan because buying from Pakistan is like a box of chocolates you never know what you are going to get. Over there they don’t have a little thing called quality control so you could wind up with some thing decent (decent not good there is a fine line between the two) or some thing so bad it is an insutl to call it an instrument. When buying from Pakistan you are taking a huge risk. Yes I have experience with Paki pipes (not Uilleann but Smallpipes) generally with lots of work you might get some thing decent why waste you money you are better getting some thing like the Daye budget drones at least you know they are consistient. Remember Paki Pipes usually don’t copst more than $50 to make so some thing good is usually a fluke.
Ive never seen a set of Pakistani Uilleann Drones that couldnt be made to work “well even” with just a good set of reeds and the occasional bore change, sleeving the bore smaller/ or opening the bore with a d-bit or gun drill… but as for the Highland Pipes and as you mentioned smallpipes they do tend to need a lot more work to play…
I’ve heard them in person and they sound very good…very mellow and soft, which is what I like. I don’t like a lot of buzzing…
-gary
These days, they have a bolder sound due to composite reeds by David Boisvert. The drones pair nicely with my chanter.
Ill have to check out David’s reeds, Thanks
They really do sound very nice. 
They arent all that expensive either for $50 a set
To be more specific, does anyone have particular experience or knowledge regarding the Pakistani drones that Other Worlds sells on eBay or on their website. They’re advertised at $399 but that excludes the stock $30 (plus taxes and shipping, I presume).