Opinions (via pm) on Tim Britton's pipes

mattpiper · Post by **mattpiper** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 5:15 pm

Hello! I'm in the market for a concert-D full set with a four keyed chanter (currently playing a Daye half set), and I've been doing a lot of online shopping around. I have really found myself aesthetically drawn to Tim Britton's work. However, given the difficulty of hearing a variety of uilleann pipes, I find myself needing to rely on the thoughts and opinions of others.

I know it's always a risky topic bringing up opinions on any maker's work on an online forum, so I respectfully ask folks to send me their thoughts via private message. Please include how long you've been playing the pipes in your message!

Much appreciated everyone. All right, off to practice!

Matt Willis
Piper of The Killdares
http://www.killdares.com

Joseph E. Smith · Post by **Joseph E. Smith** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 5:09 am

Tim Britton has been making pipes for a long, long time. His work is excellent and among the best out there.

But you really need to hear them for yourself. Do you know what sort of sound you are looking for?

mattpiper · Post by **mattpiper** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 2:03 am

First, thanks to those folks who've already sent responses! If anyone else has an opinion or thought on Britton's work, I'd love to hear from you!

JES wrote: "Do you know what sort of sound you are looking for?"

I know I want a bold, full and bright chanter sound, for many reasons. I plan on using this as a solo instrument for performance, in local sessions, and on stage with rock instruments and want an instrument with enough volume to allow it to be heard acoustically as well as mic'ed easily...

My Daye penny chanter (as reeded) are a little quiet and thin, and they are simply over powered by the drums and bass guitar.

Matt Willis
Piper of The Killdares
http://www.killdares.com

noshinchan · Post by **noshinchan** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:08 am

Of course, volume is all relative. I have a Lynch chanter that plays at a "medium" volume, and a Daye chanter that plays significantly louder. Either one, though, isn't enough to cut through bass, drums, etc. in a live band situation. I mic pipes (chanter only) and whistles (as well as melodica and harmonica) several times a month, and am told by the sound crew that they don't usually need to adjust levels from instrument to instrument. Of course, we're using an Aviom system, and if I keep my instruments at a good level in my own mix space (usually by mic proximity, though there can be issues there the further you move from the mic), the house mix stays pretty balanced too, with just an occasional tweak.

I'd find a chanter that sounds sweet while playing all by yourself in a quiet space. Since you'll need to mic it anyway, let the sound crew make it cut through the mix.

Bob
Maryville, TN

toddyboy50 · Post by **toddyboy50** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:58 am

Who makes good relatively low volume pipes, given that one wants to stay with key of D and avoid the problems of narrow bore? Thanks - Tod

Brazenkane · Post by **Brazenkane** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 2:49 pm

the idea of who makes loud and quiet pipes is fairly ridiculous. Indeed narrow bore by their design, are quieter, but you can close a reed way down on a wide bore D and it'll become extrememly quiet.

Newbies, that the reed is so much apart of the chanter that a crap reed can bring a historical chanter to it's knees, just as a Historical chanter with a brilliant reed can bring the listener to their knees!

josh perkins · Post by **josh perkins** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 3:41 pm

You seem to have brought the English language to it's knees.

No E · Post by **No E** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 3:52 pm

josh perkins wrote:You seem to have brought the English language to it's knees.

That should be its knees.

Joseph E. Smith · Post by **Joseph E. Smith** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 4:19 pm

No E wrote:
josh perkins wrote:You seem to have brought the English language to it's knees.
That should be its knees.

Thanks Mr. Dunn.

Patrick D'Arcy · Post by **Patrick D'Arcy** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 4:36 pm

toddyboy50 wrote:Who makes good relatively low volume pipes, given that one wants to stay with key of D and avoid the problems of narrow bore? Thanks - Tod

Michael Hubbert.

Pat.

PJ · Post by PJ » Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:14 pm

toddyboy50 wrote:... and avoid the problems of narrow bore?

What problems would those be?

No E · Post by **No E** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:57 pm

Hey PJ,

Take a trip down memory lane:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php ... c&start=15

WARNING--Don't look at this thread!!!

Chadd · Post by **Chadd** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 8:54 pm

No E wrote:Take a trip down memory lane:

That was an awfully sick thing for you to do, Larry
Don't you know that skeletons are best kept in closets?

Joseph E. Smith · Post by **Joseph E. Smith** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 5:14 am

Chadd wrote:
No E wrote:Take a trip down memory lane:
That was an awfully sick thing for you to do, Larry
Don't you know that skeletons are best kept in closets?

I agree wholeheartedly, but, as Hallowe'en was just here, skelletons are still acceptable... but be forewarned, surliness abounds.

josh perkins · Post by **josh perkins** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 5:52 am

"That should be its knees."

Ouch. Well done, and on a habit that constantly chafes me. I stand humbled.