Im searching for a practice set , and I’ve narrowed it down to 3 makers in my price range.
- Uilleann Pipeworks of Boston:
http://www.uilleannpipeworks.com/
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- www.Patricksky.com
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- http://www.daye1.com/pennychanter.html
Can anyone help me out and give me any reasons why one may be better for me then another , I’m leaning towards the set from pipeworks of boston , but … then again the other sets are a bit cheaper , I don’t plan on upgrading my set , when the time comes I am going to start from scratch and purchase a whole new set so that doesn’t play into my decision , any opinions or thoughts would be greatly appreciated
I would recommend Pat Sky. I’ve played chanters by all three of these makers (although the Boston Pipeworks one only very briefly), and think Pat’s have the nicest tone. Pat Sky has been making pipes and reeds for years, and is great guy to deal with. While David Daye’s plastic/copper pipe chanters are in tune, they don’t have the most pleasant tone, being dull sounding (to my ear). The same goes for the Pipeworks chanter, but on the opposite end of the spectrum, the one I played was shrill and one dimensional. Pat’s chanters have a nice balanced sound, with enough brightness to keep them from being muddy, but still not piercing or overly loud. While all three of these makers are certainly good bets to start out with, I would go with Pat Sky if I were you.
(Everyone please bear in mind that this is simply my opinion, not an affront to you, your chanter, or the person who made your chanter.)
I would recommend Pat Sky. I’ve played chanters by all three of these makers (although the Boston Pipeworks one only very briefly), and think Pat’s have the nicest tone. Pat Sky has been making pipes and reeds for years, and is great guy to deal with. While David Daye’s plastic/copper pipe chanters are in tune, they don’t have the most pleasant tone, being dull sounding (to my ear). The same goes for the Pipeworks chanter, but on the opposite end of the spectrum, the one I played was shrill and one dimensional. Pat’s chanters have a nice balanced sound, with enough brightness to keep them from being muddy, but still not piercing or overly loud. While all three of these makers are certainly good bets to start out with, I would go with Pat Sky if I were you.
(Everyone please bear in mind that this is only my opinion, not an affront to you, your chanter, or the guy who made your chanter.)
-Jack Devereux
I have one of Pat’s budget chanters to tide me over until my full set is done and it is quite nice. Very basic, but very nice. Them again, all three you have listed are good so I would flip a coin, and as a coin only has two sides, I would choose between the Boston Boys and Pat Sky if only because they are both “real” chanters.
Pat Sky is certainly the top of your short list. I’d also suggest at least a serious look at the stuff Pat Murray’s turning out now as well (Uilleann Pipeworks). I played one of his sets for two years and enjoyed it very much. They’re the only two I would recommend at all in this bunch.
Pat Sky, but Daye and UilleanWorks are good options, too. Pat Sky is nearer of real thing.
I played a Daye set for nearly 2 yrs. and just yesterday loaned it out to a friend. I had a great experience with it, it was in tune and easily affordable. David is also very helpful.
I’m sure Pat and the other’s are as well. I do speak from experience with the Daye set. I would upgrade to the leather bag or buy one from McHarg.
I own a Whitmer half-set now and am VERY happy. Thanks Nick!
is that bag that pat sky uses for his budget set reliable ?