4/11/03 update:
MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE RESPONDED.
The pipes were sold.
Childress half set in D, blackwood and brass with deer antler mounts, 4 key chanter (Cnat, Bb, Ab, Fnat) This set is less than two years old and the chanter has been re-reeded by Bruce Childress recently.
Currently, Childress has a 2+ year backlog and sets configured like this cost $2,350 (one chanter reed) with boxwood mounts as antler has become harder to get.
I’m asking $2,300US including a case and spare chanter reed.
Tony,
It’s certainly a nice looking half set. Excellent price for anyone who is after a half set by a reputable maker, looks like the case is included as well. If only
Tony…that is nice looking indeed. You should have no trouble selling it. The case looks great too! It looks like there are holes for the regs (plugged). The bellows looks quite nice, I like the size, and the padding for the arm.
I’ve never played a Childress, so I wouldn’t know what to ask about the chanter and it’s tone. I assume it’s a large bore.
Stew & Lorenzo, thanks for the good words. The set is really clean as I only played it once or twice a month. I was getting ready to order regulators when a got lucky and bought a used Childress full set.
Lorenzo, good observation. It’s already drilled (and fitted with 2 bungs) to add tenor and baritone regulators (3/4 set) without having to go back for modification.
I feel guilty about selling this set but I’m swimming in pipes right now. I spoke to Bruce Childress last week and he will extend the warrantee to the new owner. That’s a really nice thing for a pipemaker to say!
I polished the brass and almond oiled the wood today, so it really shines. Here’s some closeups showing the crisp details.
I have found the B . Childress sets to be crisp and clear and in tune , both with the chanter , and the drones and regulators . From what I know of bruces work , he has learned from pipemakers above himself in talent , but has also allowed hid own skills to be applyed in his pipemaking . I think it is good to see that he has done this , and still provided a high quality , reasonably priced , in tune set of pipes for us . Good luck in the sale .
p.s. The chanters I have played from bruce are so in tune that the resonance from the drones give me goose bumps .
I know Bruce Is really good with his delivery dates. He’s always been on time with the 4 or 5 orders I’ve placed. His workmanship is awesome and so are his prices. If you look at his standard keywork, it’s formed from solid pieces with real musicial instrument (clarinet) pads and not hammered out of sheet stock with felt glued on. He employs many innovations… even small stuff like the pins holding the keys have looped ends and are recessed into the keyblocks. If you’ve ever snagged a shirt sleeve on a key pin sticking out, you’ll like this feature.
I bought a used Bruce Childress half-set (in C) from a third party several years ago. Bruce has provided me with excellent service and support, even though I didn’t buy the pipes from him. He really stands behind his product.
