Hi All,
Another piece of advice is needed if you all dont mind. Would it prove problematic in terms of future maintenance etc. of a set of pipes to have someone like Seth Gallagher who lives in New York as my pipes maker, given that I live in Dublin. In terms of future reeding problems etc. etc. He sure make fine instruments and has a relatively short wait in comparison to those here in Ireland. What do ye think. look forward to your reply and thanks for all the help so far,
Regards,
Droner
Excellent question.
I don’t think it should be a tremendous issue, if you’re willing to pay for Fed Ex or DHL or some other international overnight shipper for emergencies. Emergencies need not be a frequent occurrence, though, your climate is very reed-friendly. Seth’s workshop is situated on the Hudson River a few hours north of New York City, just across from West Point. It is a pretty humid area most of the year, although it does get dry for a few weeks in winter. Reeds made in the Hudson valley should do all right in Ireland.
In my experience, my reeds LOVE being in Ireland and hate coming back. Irish weather is mostly pretty stable if not always pleasant, after the reeds acclimate they are a joy for the duration of my stay. You should not have to worry about wild humidity fluctuations destroying your reeds, as long as you are mindful of the relative humidity in your home. Age, chance accidents, and cigarette smoke might get them before the weather does.
Seth’s chanter design is his own but is similar in concept to many irish pipemakers’ work, I would think that you could get a working reed in a pinch from one of your local pipemakers…Kevin Thompson makes great reeds, and you might try Des Seery for assistance in an emergency.
But, I would still ask Seth for help first if you have any true reed emergencies, he is very proud of the service he provides and would definitely want first shot at any problems you encounter. At worst you might have to send the chanter back to New York for a couple of weeks but I kind of doubt you will find that necessary.
Learn to make your own reeds and you should not have any worries, there’s no shortage of people with expertise to help you with that and Seth can provide you with guidance on his reed design. Almost every serious piper has to learn to do this at some point, it’s just part of the craft.
Fair play to you again Pat… you are always great help. I ahve talked to Seth and he is one of the most helpful people I can imagine. I saw Paddy Moloney play his set lately and I have to say I was pretty struck by the sound and tuning. The great reviews that Seth gets, the sound of Paddy’s set and Seth’s manner is encouraging me (along with your comments of course) to think strongly about an order.
Thanks again
Who made the set you are using at the moment ? because if you are happy with it maybe you stick with that maker .It is one of NPU,s recommendation, when buying a new set
RORY
I don’t believe that NPU recommends any pipe maker. They only list them as a convenience on their web site.
I have a pamphlet published by NPU from '97 or so that I got when I stopped in Cillian O’Briain’s storefront in Dingle in May '99. There were many more makers in that listing than were on the web site - not all makers have web sites.
They didn’t recommend/endorse any maker in there, either.
All the best.
Well Rory…how do I start…2 of the drones are made by Alan Logan (I think) The good lord himself only knows where the bass drone originated (and maybe he might be able to give me advice on how to stop it using too much air nearly every time I turn it regrdless of what I do with it) The bag was made by my grandfather who left the set on the back of his volkswagon beetle, where our workman at home on the farm at the time, sat on and bent the previous bass drone, the two regulators are adopted from a set by Martin White in Wexford, the chanter is by none other than Leo Rowsome but has deteriorated over many years of volkswagon trips and benson and hedges exposure by my grandfather …so you see I need a new pipe maker
Regards,
Droner
The facitily to quote people is a wonderful thing, but you should first read it and try and understand it .I never said NPU recommend a particular maker I could try and explain it again but better you go to the page titled some suggestions when buying pipes and read suggestion No6 on NPU,s website
RORY
Hello Rorybellows…I hope your sarcastic comments are not directed at me. I never mentioned the NPU or their recommendations or made any reference to your comment about sticking with my previous pipe maker. That was mconners as you would be aware of if you were to indeed "read it " as you say yourself. I simply made an attempt to answer your question as to who was my previous pipe maker by highlighting the fact that I have a set of pipes that was thrown together, over a few generations, and are falling apart. Therefore necessitating me to find a pipe maker soon and for the first time. The reason I quoted some people was to outline the just how miss-matched my pipes are. I am well aware of the NPU recommendations as I attend classes there every Tuesday evening.
Thanks Droner
Follow Pat Cannady’s suggestion. Call Seth’s workshop and speak to him. He’s very pleasant to deal with and can answer your questions about spares and maintenance.
Hi Droner,
Seth’s pipes should work very nicely in Ireland. Also there are dozens of pipers around that could reed them without any hassle over there. Dave Hegarty could fix you up if you needed him to but as I said Seth’s reed’s should work very nicely there. Are there many guys playing his sets in Ireland? It is an amazing time to buy a set from an American maker with the exchange rates the way they are etc.
All the best,
Patrick.
Ah lessons on a tuesday night ! that takes me back
Are they back in henrietta st yet or still in the school . Last time i was there ,there was a lot of foreign students there ,is still the case .Its amazing how many different nationalities fall under the pipes spell
RORY
ps Droner,you sort of answered your own question regarding my sarcastic comments so we wont say anymore about that ,Cheers
You’re right. I misread your comment. My apologies.
All the best.
Great help lads thanks a mill…There are a few foreigners knockin around alright I even saw a Malaysian with a brand new practice set about three weeks ago… he was giving out about the price of pipes …obviously doesn’t realise what’s ahead of him if he wants a full set sometime
Mconnors ;We all make mistakes ,me more than most but we seldom take the time to acknowledge them so I appreciate you taking the time to do so
respect to you
RORY