Dear one and all,
I happened upon Ray Sloan’s uilleann pipe site, and man! those are some gorgeous looking sets he’s rolling out. I’m curious if there’s anyone out there who’s bought one of his full sets, how well it plays, and how you like it.
Thanks much,
Luke
P.S. I’m not looking for negative criticism, but for honest opinions. I really don’t want to start anyone on maker-bashing…
Hi, I got a Ray Sloan practice set a few years ago, as a complete beginner, and quite like it. Having played a few other different chanters now and having played another Sloan chanter, I feel they’re not the easiest chanters in the world to play (but certainly not the worst either…somewhere in the middle) and both Sloan chanters have needed a bit of sticky tape over the E hole (I think) to bring the bottom octave E in tune a bit more. Soundwise I can’t fault it really, and it plays easily although neither of the reeds I’ve had in it have been made by Ray himself.
Can’t comment on the full sets, but hope this is of some use anyway.
I can’t attest to his Full-sets as they are out of my price range but I have a friend in Ottawa who had a practice set of R.Sloan of which I tried out.
It is very rich in sound and NO problems at all in both octaves, nice wood and finish..
Hope this helps. 
Ask me about my practice set in January. Hopefully January.
BTW, according to Ray, he makes his pipes to play perfectly in tune out of the box.
One of this forums’ contributors owns a 1/2 set of RS narrow bore D UPs and I have had the pleasure of playing this set. Apart from the absolutely stellar beauty of the set, I was struck by the great tone and playability of the chanter and drones. I haven’t played or heard the wide bore chanter yet, but if it is anything like the narrow bore, you’re a happy piper.
If you think they look gorgeous on his website, wait until you are holding one up close and in person… wow!
I have a flat set on order with ray (in C)
His stuff is very good and he is a decent and honest bloke.
MAW has a full set (concert) He is a good person to talk to.
Yup, it’s a mighty fine set, it looks good, sounds good and by gum, it is good.It’s every bit as good as it looks and sounds on his web.His attention to detail and finishing is fab.
A nicer bloke you won’t meet, well I’m sure you will but you know what I mean
Yep, I love my Sloan 1/2 set…it’s right purdy.
You couldn’t ask for a nicer guy to do business with as well…and, I get follow up emails from Ray every few months just checking to make sure things are going well.
The reeds that he sent with it were better suited for Scotland than Georgia, USA I think…they have long since bit the dust…however, I was able to make several reeds which work well..but still haven’t gotten the knack of making one which plays easily (my bad, not the chanter).
Perhaps the reedmaking giant JES (or is that the giant JES, reedmaker) can help me out when he comes up in Sept? 
I made the decision to spend more time practicing and less time reedmaking…of course, my playing has improved, but not my reedmaking.
Regards,
Gary
Ok, thanks guys! This feedback is what I was looking for.
-Luke