Hello
I was wondering if any one has a set of Uilleann Pipes from David Daye and if so how good they are.
I thin it would be a good set to start out on, but would like to know from people that have them or know someone with them that can tell me about thier construction and how good the chanters are. 
Hey there!
I’m a very happy owner of a set by him since about 2 weeks or so. And what can I say, it’s awesome! lol 
I have used both the white ‘standard’ chanter and his black delrin one which is by far my favorite and the one I use. Don’t ask me why as their supposed to be identical but it feels easier playing on it and of course it’s alot prettier 
– easier to impress with! 
.
And all in all the whole “set” doesn’t feel or look at all like a “budget-set”. The decorative covers(bag & bellows connector-tube) are of some kind of smooth textile with white whatever it’s called(fringes?) dangling down from underneeth. And the chanter is a shiny-black with a gold’ish touch, both the chanter-cap or whatever it’s called and bottom that rests on knee. Also if you look into a key-hole you’d see that the chanters inside is also covered with some gold-looking material so if under light it’ll glitter thru the holes 
Ok that takes care about looks I guess. Not sure what else to say, I don’t have alot of experience with different set or chanters(as I’m an annoying newbie) but what I do know is that as far as my ears can tell it sounds just like what I hear on favorite uilleann recordings/irl-shows of mine (such as from Riverdance).
If there are any specific questions I’d be happy to try and provide the info as long as it’s inside my newbie scope . About the construction/assembling it’s alot easier then it seemed(and I’ve never touched a uilleann before).. and I documented that with me camera and had planned on putting it up on some website in the future but haven’t gotten around to it yet.
dude, you may want to do some searching of the archives. this topic has been visted and revisited.
welcome to our world.
meir
btw, the real gurus on the board can help you more if they know where you are , how much you have played, and the intended use (is it to tide you over while a set is being made over years, or is this an exploration into up piping).
knowing where you are is important for many reasons. the most critical is that when you first get your daye chanter, reeds may have to go back and forth in the post. (this is not limited to daye chanters and in no way a slur on him- it is true of any “lower priced” chanter or starter set). this interchange will be easy if you are in portland OR and another matter if you are in hong kong.
meir
Or, high priced ones for that matter.
Of all concert D reeds I have gotten from pipe makers, David Daye’s reed was the only one that played to my satisfaction “out of the box”.
I made the mistake of loaning that reed to a student when he ruined his and never saw or heard from him since.
I have had to make my own reeds to make them play as I wish and I dearly miss the Daye reed as it played better than any of my present reeds.
I have had great success with my Daye set. I have learned how to play the instrument to a point that I know I want to continue with it, and am looking for a half set.
I do recommend the leather bag, I felt the vinyl bag I got was not my best choice. I later ordered a McHarg bag and alot of my problems cleared up.
Pipers Eamonn Dillon and Zac Leger both have played my chanter and were seemingly impressed with it.
I have gotten two reeds from him and both worked out of the box as well.
I recommend David’s black delrin panny chanter, and have had a great buyers experience.
Timmy
Really? I have the vinyl bag, what sort of problems did you experience that were cleared up?
I am Located in PA near Pittsburgh and I am just starting out.
Really? I have the vinyl bag, what sort of problems did you experience that were cleared up?
For starters, it developed a leak, which I patched and finally had to have an upholsterer fix it. But the biggest problem was probably the shape. I was so long it bunched up behind my arm, (I know I could have trimmed it) in addition, it was a bit “too pliable”. The leather bag was stiffer and helped me to control and direct the air better.
Timmy
i have a david daye practice set with the delrin chanter (the Black one) at the time it was the best purchase for me considering that it was less expensive and that im a broke college student. The sound quality is pretty decent obviously it doesn’t sound as good as a real set but its the best you can get for the price and the reed is the best part, i have since upgraded to a set from David Boistvert and still use my DD reed. I still have my David Daye practice set if you want to purchase i would be willing to sell it cheaper then what it would cost you brand new. I have other reeds that i would include with it but im gonna have to keep the reed since its the best reed that i have encountered, you could by a new reed from david for 40 bucks (recommended). You can PM me if your interested.
PC