So I bought a chanter.....

[maki]

So I bought a Daye Penny Chanter.
Now to get a bag and bellows.
I was thinking about trying to put together Daye's kits for bag and bellows to save some money.
However, this is going to be my first UP and I was wondering if its a good idea.
Opinions?
Anyone know whats the price range of ready made bags and bellows?
Favorite makers? Links?
Thanks!

[an seanduine]

Frankly, you are facing a situation fraught with false economies. I've made leather bags, both successfully and not. One failure and you'll approach the cost of one of Dave's kit. I trust his judgement on the leather, and the fact that he uses a marine grade sealant, something like Sikaflex, if not that in fact. I'm no fan of vinyl.
I've made bellows as well, both nailed and stitched. You really have to get this right to not be faced with almost insurmountable beginner's frustration. I have to echo Dirty Harry here:' Do you feel lucky?' Dave can set you up with an excellent finished bellows for an excellent price.
I have nothing but praise for what Dave does for beginners. He can let you into the 'game' for a paltry price, and his sets allow you to focus on what it important. . .overcoming the native difficulties of learning to run the bag and bellows, and getting the (to a flute or whistle player) contrary motion of stopping and starting the chanter.
Try not to add any additional obstacles to your progress as a piper.
If you seek the components outside of those available from Dave, you will quickly exceed the cost of his kits. Bags by Jackie Boyce cost approximately $250 (depending upon the exchange) and are top drawer for quality. Martin Gallen offers what appears to be an excellent bellows for about the same. You then would have to come up with fittings for the stocks and air inlet and connector. Are you a turner?
Welcome to our own special little hell. . .and mind the sign that Dante posted above the door. . . . . .

Bob

[an seanduine]

Whoops! Got the price for Jackie's bags wrong. I was looking at my invoice for two bags. . .

Bob

[maki]

“Abandon all hope, ye who enter here!” ???
Dante was that piper fellow from County Donegal?

Anyways, that seems like good advice. Thanks!

[Ailin]

If you're interested in a used bellows and black leather bag, both by D Daye, PM me. I have them just sitting around in a case and would be willing to let them go for a reasonable price.

[dunnp]

I will be lambasted here for this but I recently started piping again after trading my halfset a few years ago for a brilliant flute.

I needed the cheapest bag and bellows for a c chanter I aquired through more flute trading. I bought a Geoffrey practice set off ebay for about 100 dollars.

The bag and bellows are airtight and work well. Not the most comfortable and not looking very robust but they work and are airtight. All I had to do was shorten the plastic pipe and away I went.

I ve owned a few sets over the years and these are not as bad as at least one set of bellows I had from a known maker.

I wouldnt expect them to last forever but by then you'll probably want to move on anyway.

My two year old walks around banging the rosewood chanter that came woth them off the walls and that is about the only use for that but the bag and bellows could be a lot worse.

Maybe others have had less luck?

[dunnp]

Didnt see Ailins post youd be better off most likely!

[maki]

If you're interested in a used bellows and black leather bag, both by D Daye, PM me. I have them just sitting around in a case and would be willing to let them go for a reasonable price.

Hooray for Ailin!

[No E]

Maki,

I see that you are in L.A., so by all means you should drop in on a SCUPC meeting, 2nd Sunday of the month in San Juan Capistrano (next meeting is July . PM me for details.

No E

[maki]

Thank you very kindly!
PM sent.

Edited to add;
And now I'm a member of the Southern California Uilleann Pipers Club!

[maki]

So now I own, but do not yet have in hand, a Daye Practice Set.
(Thanks to those who helped with advice and sales.)

Now I'm looking at cases.
Yes I've gone through numerous threads about UP pipe cases, thanks.
Some of the cases I've seen recommended are Pelicans, very nice but $$$$,
Viola cases, mandolin cases and tool boxes.

But, specifically what are the actual dimensions of a Daye practice set?
Will they fit in this? It goes about 18 x 13.5 x 6.5 inches. And we get free shipping.
http://www.amazon.com/Zeikos-ZE-HC36-Me ... ieko+cases

Daye sells an attractive Pakistani case for a decent price but it measures 24"x10"x5" approx.
and that fits a 1/2 set which is more than I need for a few years at least.

Thanks for your patients!

[maki]

So. Heres what.
The Daye Penny Chanter and bag(leather), bellows, and reed are the SHIZZZZ!
Its all used, but in good condition.
The tuning is dead on, acording to the electric tuner.
After the first week I'm able to get the first octave plus a couple notes of the second.

BTW-about the case, I bought a Lowes brand called 'Kobalt' tool chest 14x9x9 inches.
It fits the practice set very nicely, and I can take into work with out looking like a
long hair touchy feely musician.
(Don't get me wrong, I like long haired musicans but it is a rough and ready work enviroment.)


Am I a happy wanabe piper?
Yes!

[WannabePiper]

You're a happy me?

[maki]

You're a happy me?

I should be so lucky.

[an seanduine]

I think what you want to be is a Happy "GonnaBeAPiper"

Bob