Chiff and Fipple Forums

I've a practice set made by Kevin Thompson. I bought it years back from a friend who tried and failed to learn. I've been playing the practice set for almost 10 years and still have not gotten bored. I've never met the maker of the pipes and don't know anyone else who plays his pipes, so if you own ...

I play with a trad group. Until now, I have played mainly guitar but I'm getting to the point where a few of my piping tunes are respectable enough to play in front of a crowd. What's the best way to amplify uilleann pipes? What do professional players do - build in a pickup? Where and how many - on...

Now, now!! No call for that.

Now THAT's funny.

In 30 words or less, what was it that began your interest in piping?

For me it was hearing Davy Spillane in Moving Hearts in the 1980. Then Liam O'Flynn in the 'Cal' Soundtrack.

PJ

I'd like to make an offer but as you say, you see lots of crap going for big money. I could probably offer something in trade - like my house. Seriously though, that's a serious set of pipes with probably some serious history behind it. Do you know the history of the instrument since it was made? Wh...

OK, maybe a basic question, but I'm not a professional piper or a pipe maker so I'll ask it. What's the significance of the chanter bore? Volume? Tone? Timbre? Is there a standard size bore? I'm currently playing a Kevin Thompson chanter. It's always been loud. Initially, it even put me off playing....

I've already considered it. Joe's lead time is now 3 years. His stock is rising as a pipemaker. He's made some reeds for me which I like. I also like the look of his delux half sets. The down side is Joe's lead time is now 3 years. I was hoping to have my half set by the end of 2005. There are a few...

Honesty is probably the best policy. That and having a receipt for the sales tax every time I cross the border to go to a Tionol or go home to Ireland.

Thanks for the advice.

PJ

Thanks DJM. That's what I thought.

P

The US is not what worries me. To my knowledge, there is no tax on exporting instruments.

I don't want this post to turn into US-bashing. I just want to know if anyone has any personal experience of importing an instrument, and if so, what are the pitfalls.

NAFTA doesn't affect sales taxes and certain customs duties. Otherwise it would be a free-for-all. I know some people who have bought flutes, guitars, etc., in US and had them shipped to Canada to be met with a bill of 15% from the Customs. I know others who have shipped instruments and not payed an...

I'm shopping for a half-set at present. Budget is a big consideration and taxes, customs/excise duties, sales taxes, etc., risk to take a chunk out of my available funds. I'm based in Canada and will most likely buy from US. Does anyone have any experience of importing instruments? Does it make a di...

Hi there,

If it's not too far, we've a small club of uilleann pipers. Most of the members are in Montreal, and so far all our meetings have been there. You can find out more about the club at :

http://pages.infinit.net/jamie/Uilleann.html

Good luck

P