I have been looking to find a set for a while now and I am working on getting a job to help me pay for it. I am trying to weigh my options on who to buy a set from. So far, I have considered three makers. Uilleann Pipe Works, Seth Hamon, and C.J. Dixon. I have been able to listen to sound samples of their pipes and read testimonials. So far, I like what I see, but I want to consider more people. Cna anyone give me more information about makers like Chris Baley? I have looked on his site before and gotten price lists from him. But the one thing missing are testimonials from people who have had his pipes in the past. Does anyone have a set of his pipes? I am looking for feedback on him.
I, for one, cannot say enough good things about David Daye. I am quite pleased with my half-set. If cost is a concern, he may be worth checking into… he’s less expensive than the options you mentioned.
I had emailed some with Chris Bayley back in September about a barrel drone half-set. IIRC his wait time was about 18 months.
Are you sure you want to do this? You may be better off taking up something less addictive like heroin or crack cocaine… 
Too late Reep, dude’s already down the wicked path to the Dark Side.
IMHO, newbie dude, I’d try and keep in mind where you live and where the nearest maker of quality instruments lives. The closer the better in my book.
The fact is that I tried a David Daye set a while ago and I found it too hard to blow, this made it very hard for me to get it into the second octave and for that matter very hard to keep a good even pressure in the first octave. I know that a Daye set can work for some people, and he is close to where I live, but his set did not work for me as well as I like. I do know there are benefits of buying pipes from someone who lives close by your location, but the next best thing to Whidbey Island from Seattle is Brad Angus, who lives in Portland, and is also way too exspensive for me. As for the guy that suggested that I try something less addictive like heroin or crack, music has been my addiction for a long time, since I started playing the highland pipes a little over seven years ago. I now want to try playing a real man’s bagpipe.
If the Daye set was too hard to blow, the reed wasn’t set up properly. In my experience, being hard to blow is not a characteristic of the PCs at all.
Every chanter I have played by Daye to date have been easy to blow, and dead on in both octaves.
…and David ships his reeds with the bridle adjusted so the lips are more open, to avoid damage in transit. ..my PC’s reeds were, anyway. This sounds like something David would’ve been more than willing to help you remedy.
I too was in a similar situation, trying to weigh desires, cost, etc. meaning all the things that go through sifting options. I was encouraged to carefully consider proximity to my pipemaker as a chief component. Even went to visit him in the tiny village of Weston, Missouri.Yes, I selected Kirk Lynch knowing there would be a wait period. In the meantime contacted Patrick Sky and received one of his “budget” chanters that is absolutely awesome. Can’t say enough kind things about the Sky product and the careful assistance in getting started. My Lynch chanter has since arrived and it is a dream and I daily appreciate the launch provided into the “Dark Side”.
Anasazi Piper
I can give a thumbs up for Seth Hamon’s set. I’m a beginner and have a pretty easy time learning on it, sounds great and easy to play. Soon enough I’m going to want him to work me up some drones. 