http://www.pipers.ie/classifiedsview.asp?key=14517
Asking price is AU$10,000. Does anyone know the set?
FWIW, 1981 is a very early one
Don’t know this set perosnally, but as the Gumby states this would be early about the hight teens to low 20’s range.
Some friends of mine have ‘C’ sets made in '79 & '80 and they are a #12 and a #14.
The older sets are quite fragile, key pins easy to snap from blocks and the solder often splits/fails. Three or four of the earlier sets I have seen have replacement bass drone slide ends and replacement goose necks.
Having said that, if you place these early pipes in context you can see why Geoff now has the reputation he does.
I think at $10k AUS, which is now about $5 million US, you’d have an interesting set of pipes. Unfortunatly I would guess that this will be the second set of GW pipes to leave OZ in the space of a month.
Better check your rates. AU$10,000 comes to around US$10,700. Still cheap, considering the prices asked for other Wooff sets lately.
I have a C chanter from Geoff’s Australian era, I think 1978-79. Made for Malcolm Sims’ dad. Geoff had it in his Clare workshop 1998, I think it was and made some adjustments. I bought it in 2001 from Malcolm Sims without a working reed, Got a new reed from Geoff 2002 and it is a great chanter, easy to play, in tune, lovely mellow sound. Still have the same reed from 2002 and it works fine, summer time, and even through the very cold dry Swedish winters. The chanter is modelled after a Coyne, at least on the outside.
My Wooff concert pitch set was also made in 1981.
https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/pictures-of-your-pipes/8040/1811
It’s a wonderful set of pipes, both acoustically and aesthetically. More than one person has commented that it has the sweetest set of drones they’ve heard on a D set.
Geoff was clearly making great stuff from early on. I would imagine this B flat set up for sale is lovely as well.
I think the same, and I am surprised this isn’ t sold yet as 7400 euro is a good price.
Patrick
I’ve got a Bb set from Geoff which was made at about the same time, and it’s a great set. I would never part from it, except when I die of course… Great craftsmanship and sound. Really worth the cash !
Yes I think that exchange rate is about right. Our Southern California tourist destinations are crawling with Aussies buying up everything in sight; as if the USA is having a nationwide Half Price Sale.
I am told (by Geoff) the set was sold in Oz a month ago.
Hi Mr Gumby
I ended up buying the set (minus bellows).
Something I think makes this set special is that included in the pipe case was all the hand written correspondence between Geoff and Paul (the original owner/purchaser) and a number of black and white photographs of the Bb set made prior to this one. It’s nice to have the history of the set included along with it.
This set has held up very well for its age. Wood and metal parts are in excellent condition. The ivory (from west africa according to the letters) has all the typical hairline cracks you’d expect with age and a couple of major cracks which have since been repaired.
I’m very much enjoying playing this set even though a few of the reeds still need some work.
If you know Geoff, I’d very much like to ask him for his reed/staple measurements. Another piper reeded this set in his own style so it would be nice to get the originals!
Thanks
Andrew