OK, the actors, producers, directors, etc. had their evening last night. What about starting a poll for the best living pipemakers?
We’ll start with nominating 5. Then we’ll start a poll in order to choose among the five nominees. There won’t be any speaches or even any prizes and next year we can do it all again. We could even have different categories - best chanter, best regulators, most innovative do-hicky, best overall pipe maker, etc.
Suggestions for pipemakers as well as for categories are welcomed.
Pipe makers attend pipers gatherings and tionols all the time so that pipers will get to see and hear their piper. I only own one set of pipes but I’ve played about 10. I’ve got my own ideas about what I like. Maybe there are others out there who have tried different sets of pipes and who have formed their own opinions. Who better to rate the pipemakers than us, their customers.
B.C. Childress!
Recommended for the high quality of his pipes, wit, vivacity, general coolness & friendliness, and especially for that wierd oxygen powered piping test thingy he did at the North Hero gig some time ago(high marks for originality).
On this side of the pond (Ireland, Scotland, Wales & England) I would have to nominate Martin Preshaw of Northern Ireland. I can only attest for his concert chanter of course as it is what I have. However, it is not only his craftsmanship in producing a high quality instrument with a superb tone but the exceptional customer care that he provides. Not only before and during purchase but afterwards.
I now know that should a problem arise either through my tinkering (we’ve all done that guys have we not?) or because of climate or reed settlement, Martin is only a 'phone call away and his wit and wisdom will in most cases solve any pipe related problem. However, equally as important to me is the fact that Martin’s chanter’s are to his own “standardisation” as are his reeds. This means that should a new reed be required than he can pop one in the post confident in the knowledge that it will work when it arrives at its destination.
In summary, I nominate Martin for skill, quality, affordable prices, standardisation of his chanters to suit his reeds and exceptional customer care and friendliness.
Joseph (the UK one).
In my opinion the greatest living pipermaker is Alain Froment and arguably the greatest ever
He would get all the oscars going and a life time achivement award as well
just listen to his B set on the pipers call video
The list of positive points about him is endless!!!
There are some very fine pipemakers out there who do excelent work but everybody wants a Froment set you don,t have a twelve year waiting list for nothing
