Apologies for another "which set should I buy" thread, I won't pretend that my circumstances are particularly different from any of the others who've asked this before, but I was hoping for feedback on a particular ebay- so I figured that would excuse the thread.
I've always loved the sound of bagpipes, especially uilleann ones and I've finally worked up the courage to try them. I'm aware the standard advice is to buy a set from the closest reputable maker you can find, and I intend to ultimately follow that as best I can (though I have struggled to find a maker near georgia, USA). Thing is, I don't exactly have musical talent, so before plunking down a rather pretty sum and waiting a few years, I'd like to pick up a decent practice set now to get a feel for the instrument. And to scope out my wife's tolerance bagpipe noises.
I'm looking for something that meets these criteria:
- less than $2k USD, preferably under 1k, but... that may not be realistic
- short wait, less than 3 months
- pleasant tone
- drones would great, but probably not realistic at this pricepoint
Daye penny chanter- I'd probably go with the half set
pros:
- very reasonably priced
- tone seemed decent in youtube recordings
- drones
- wait time
- some people seem to love these, but others seem to really hate them
Howard Practice set from ebay
pros:
- Seems fairly cheap
- quality chanter (?)
- immediately available
- I could probably sell with minimal loss when I upgrade
- it's been relisted so many times that it seems suspect- perhaps overpriced or questionable
- france and georgia don't exactly have the same climate
- ebay is always a gamble
- Maker is retired. Although his successor still appears to sell howard reeds.
Childress Student Model
pros:
- seems like a quality set
- Maker is on the east coast, albeit the opposite end
- Trade in deal is great if I later settle on a Childress 1/2 plus set
- immediately available
- maine still has diff climate than georgia
- not sure how it compares to his proper sets
Banba half set on FB marketplace
pros:
- seems like a quality set for $1600 USD
- is a half set
- Could probably sell for minimal loss if I upgrade
- Located in the UK
- seems weirdly cheap for a 1/2 set. but so do new ones from Banba design
- fb marketplace is the sketchiest venue
- haven't actually confirmed that the seller ships abroad
I was hoping for some feedback on the above items. I'm actually quite interested in the howard chanter, as well as the banba 1/2 set. I'm just concerned by how long the howard set has been available (as well the concave filing on the finger holes- it just looks a little off. ) and I'm pricing of the banba 1/2 sets, even new, seems shockingly cheap. How are these usually regarded.
Also, please feel free to suggest options that I have missed. Thanks!