Has anyone picked up a set of the v-pipes yet, or are they still a vicious rumor?
Dave
Got an email from them a few days ago - They’re still being developed and not yet offered for sale.
Well, here’s their website. http://www.vpipes.com/
They don’t seem to have a price list, ordering information, or other such so I’m guessing it’s still in development.
Quite a realistic sound sample on that page.
check the archives. v for “vaporware” was the conclusion.
Yeah, I’m starting to agree with you. I honestly think if they ever did hit the market, they’d sell pretty well to non-conformists and people who didn’t like futzing with reeds…but all they ever say is “it’s coming soon”. Bummer, I think they’d be fun…and obviously there’s one set out there somewhere.
Dave
I sent an email to them enquiring about when the VPipes would be released and whether a typical starving musicial could actually afford a set. This is what I got back:
Dear Mr Abernethy
Many thanks for your interest in the vPipes-vUilleann.
I have pleasure in sending you the newsletter that can be viewed at the
following link:http://www.vpipes.com/newsletters/060509_2006_spring_nl_eng.pdf
It is now getting impossible for us to carry on answering on a
personalised basis to all of you who have written, and have therefore
attached a reply which answers the most frequently asked questions.The vUilleann is self-standing and independent and has good battery
autonomy, although there is always the option of playing plugged-in to an
external power feed (wall socket, car etc) and charging up the batteries
as you do so. You can use the output jack for any device, from simple
ear-phones through to a sophisticated amplifier. You can freely play
anywhere, at any time and in any pitch, for example, whilst travelling or
at home at 3am, without disturbing anyone.To give a rough idea, the vUilleann takes up much less space than a
conventional practice-set as the simulated bag (for octave changing) is
much smaller and there is no requirement for bellows.We can happily say that we are at field-test stage of the beta units and
everything is looking very good, so much so that we have also decided to
introduce the tonal quality of a flat-set (although you will still be able
to play in any pitch), in addition to the concert pitch sound which comes
by default. We have also included other tools and options that we believe
will prove very useful: metronome, pitch control, back-lit LCD display,
Li-Ion and/or alkaline batteries, on/off drone switch.We are unwilling to give exact “available by” date so as not to cause
disappointment but we expect that the first units will be available
in the not too distant future.The special launch price is 980 Euros (plus local taxes and deliveries-
which obviously vary from country to country).We hope this covers all your initial questions but please contact us again
if there is anything left unclear.We look forward to hearing from you further but we shall nevertheless keep
you duly informed as matters progress.Kind regards
RmCvPipes Project
www.vPipes.com
vicious rumor?
If you had an idea for a product currently undergoing extensive research that took all your time and money (which is probably the case here) and you knew, because it had to be no less than PERFECT or ‘those Uilleann guys’ would chew you up and spit you out… would you announce a ship date? Would you show lots of development pictures so a company like Yamaha could scoop up your idea and produce it quickly?
Grasshopper, be patient…
Random thoughts:
I have a feeling my bellows arm would look ridiculous, pumping repeatedly in the air, sheerly out of habit.
I wonder if old-school pipers will call down a pox on these things or embrace the possibilities of an instrument that would allow pipers to practice with headphones on while riding the subway to work.
I’m hoping they also provide a realistic drone accompaniment and the chanter is weighted appropriately.
It would be strange to play perfectly in tune for maybe the first time in my career. That’s something this set would never help you learn: the infinite number of tweaks and tapes and scrapes that it takes to get a normal set to behave.
It would be strange to play perfectly in tune for maybe the first time in my career. That’s something this set would never help you learn: the infinite number of tweaks and tapes and scrapes that it takes to get a normal set to behave.
But…then…you’d never learn to play a real set of pipes in tune. Ironic..ain’t it? You are right about the instrument not teaching you to really play a set of pipes.
Right… you must teach yourself. The instrument allows this. You would probably spend 100% of your time learning (or making) music and 0% of the time coaxing the instrument to play.
Take your choice… right?
How many times did you wake at 2am and want to practice? Unless you have a huge estate or an insulated studio, it’s usually not practical.
That’s exactly the point, No matter where and when, you will be able to practise. I can not see anyone giging with such a device, so don’t worry to much if the old gard embrasses it or not
If the final product sounds as good as the samples , then I can see it being used in live plugged in( sound systme) situation´s or in studio. Or in places with wird climates such as extreme dryness and the like. The practice aspect of the Vpipes is a very attractive prospect. I look forward to hearing it in the flesh .
Ballygo
vicious rumour I e mailed them twice but no replies??
I got the general e-mail reply when I contacted them , so I don´t know what is happening with lady Piper.
Ballygo
Nope didn’t get the general e mail reply either as I see others did. Perhaps they got so tired of all the enquiries?! Perhaps it’s a hoax
They are probably too busy to respond. I’d be careful about suggesting it is a hoax, as it could be damaging to their business. It is also a ‘no no’ to defame a person’s business on this forum, without substantiated and documented evidence that proves a hoax.
We must be careful in avoiding enticement for a flock of lawyers to swoop down upon us here at C&F.
I did say Perhaps
Yes, yes you did. I’m just asking (reminding) folks to be careful about the conjecture they post here… it has gotten us into trouble before and I’d like to avoid that if at all possible.
Thanks.
Just for the record, I didn’t get the general email. I got a brief but personalised one, explaining where development was up to. It make me believe that it’s not a hoax and we can all look forward to hearing more about this interesting beast in the future. You’ve gotto admit it’s got us all interested.