Opinion on a good first pipe

Scéalta · Post by **Scéalta** » Fri May 24, 2002 1:54 am

Hi!

Looking for your opinions.

I'm about to order a practice set, but from where / from whom?

I'd love to hear opinions from people, who have recently bought their practice sets.

-S-

Tony · Post by **Tony** » Fri May 24, 2002 5:32 am

Try to find something from a maker who is close to home.
http://www.uilleann.nl/ could be a valuable contact in your case.

Dave Parkhurst · Post by **Dave Parkhurst** » Fri May 24, 2002 4:57 pm

There are several good makers....my 2 cents:
DM Quinn
Seth Gallagher
Alain Froment
Geoff Wooff
Kirk Lynch
and I'm sure others will have some input.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Fri May 24, 2002 9:07 pm

Hi! reagrding a first pipe, you may want to try a polyacetyl (precision machined) practice set from Andreas Rogge of Germany. It is quite easy to play (in other words it sounds really seriously good most of the time) and is quite affordable. I love mine. The only downside is that it is not upgradeable later as it is only intended as a practice set. The price, however, makes up for that. If you ask around I promise that you will find that This is really a fine instrument and well worth the money. (PLUS NO WAIT!) Anyway- good luck and good piping!

Tony · Post by **Tony** » Sat May 25, 2002 6:37 am

On 2002-05-24 18:57, Dave Parkhurst wrote:
There are several good makers....my 2 cents:
DM Quinn
Seth Gallagher
Alain Froment
Geoff Wooff
Kirk Lynch
and I'm sure others will have some input.

Dave... be nice to the guy. He asked for help.

Scéalta,
the polyacetyl (Delrin) practice set Paul mentioned (from Andreas Rogge) can be seen at: http://www.uilleann-pipes.de/

Other pipemakers who usually have a short waiting list are:

Ray Sloan:
http://www.ray-sloan.com/index.html

Martin Preshaw
http://www.unionpipes.co.uk/

Davy Stephenson
http://www.bagpipeworks.com/

Scéalta · Post by **Scéalta** » Sun May 26, 2002 12:05 pm

Thank you already for all the replies.

Any opinions on humidity issues?

I know the winter time is dry here in Finland, so any difficulties keeping the instrument playable? My friend got himself a Desi Seery flute made out of Delrin, because he's afraid that a wooden flute will crack up in a couple of years. Is this just overreacting?

-S-

Cayden · Post by **Cayden** » Sun May 26, 2002 12:35 pm

No he isn't You can forget about playing up there in winter time unless you keep a kettle on the boil in your home throughout the day and sit next to it while playing.

anima · Post by **anima** » Sun May 26, 2002 7:40 pm

I have a Davy Stephenson practice set that I am very happy with.

My reeds hated the winter here in midwest USA, I had to play with a humidifier next to me.

Jeff

Dionys · Post by **Dionys** » Mon May 27, 2002 12:56 am

Whole-house humidifiers are nice too if you can afford them. Otherwise a room humidifier works wonders, especially with the door to the room you'll play in closed and the humidifier priming it for a few hours.

Dionys

Esko · Post by **Esko** » Mon May 27, 2002 2:01 am

Hi You all

It is true that reeds are sometimes a problem here in Finland, but since I got
my new chanter with a new reed of course and it was blown in and just a litle bit sanded and so on it has worked ok in january
as it did on last saturday.

But all the reeds are individual ( as are chanters too ). other people have different experience and so will you when and if you start this long road.

Esko

Dave Parkhurst · Post by **Dave Parkhurst** » Wed May 29, 2002 12:17 pm

Tony,
Hey, I was being nice! Those are all makers that I've played and respect. Are they inexpensive? no Is there a wait? Yes. But I'm glad you added Rogge...he is a great guy about service.

Tony · Post by **Tony** » Wed May 29, 2002 1:11 pm

Dave... understood. But, most of those guys have waiting lists of over 2 years. This is most distressing for someone eager to buy his first set of pipes.

John Allison · Post by **John Allison** » Thu May 30, 2002 12:31 am

I can heartily recommend Ray Sloan's work! I ordered my first practice set from him and had them in hand in about 2 months. Excellent work and a really great reed for Southern California.

I would also suggest getting on a waiting list of another maker (meaning years of waiting) if you ever want to get a full set. Sloan doesn't offer those.

Tony · Post by **Tony** » Thu May 30, 2002 5:34 am

John,
Ray Sloan's website has been updated and he claims to have been working on regulators nearly four years. As a result, Sloan may soon take orders on full sets.

CoyneLover · Post by **CoyneLover** » Thu May 30, 2002 7:08 am

I would recommend Davy Stephenson. I've never heard a negative word about his work. He is a very professional and supportive businessman with a pretty short waiting list. He usually has a few items on the shelf waiting for an owner. His prices reflect the current market. They're not exactly inexpensive, but neither are they expensive. I think they are priced middle to middle high...

CL