Hi All,
I’ve searched the forums and not found mention of these guys. Has anyone heard of, or had any dealing with, the Funky Music Shop? I’m wondering if these would be a good starter set.
http://stores.ebay.com/The-Funky-Music-Shop_W0QQsspagenameZMEQ3aFQ3aSTQQtZkm
'Course, now that I’m looking around and checking prices, I’m beginning to get a funny feeling about a set of pipes that only cost $99. 
Should I regard them like the Pakistani Low D whistles – pretty, but good for nothing but mounting on the wall?
Best,
LJ
Should I regard them like the Pakistani Low D whistles – pretty, but good for nothing but mounting on the wall?
Yes. In fact they are Pakistani (or similar). If anyone tries to sell you pipes that cheap- don’t touch it. Same goes with practice chanters with no maker name, only a (very vague) wood name (or a deemphasized maker’s name- if you’re proud of your product, say so; if not, don’t sell it!).
Paki pipes …good for hanging on a wall of a very dimly lite pub!
I was afraid of that. Thanks folks!
LJ
If you’re looking for a bargain set of Highland pipes, and want to purchase a new set, you can’t do better than get a set of Dunbar bagpipes (made in St Catherines, Ontario, Canada). These are great-sounding pipes, based on Hendersons. You can get them in Blackwood or polypenco.
Because of the exchange rate, US made pipes are a relative bargain for US-based players. MacLellan, for one, is making wonderful pipes at a price less than you would pay for a similar Scottish-made set (some would argue than the pipes made by MacLellan are superior to anything coming out of Scotland today, by the way.)
As for used sets, I watch Ebay for pipes and there are terrific bargains to be had nearly all the time. Beware! 99% of the pipes on Ebay are Pakistani junk, even if they claim to be made in Scotland. But high-quality sets from respected Scottish makers go for cheap fairly often. I’ve seen, more than once, new sets offered directly from good Scottish makers for around $500, an amazing bargain. I sometimes see good sets selling for less than some Pakistani junk.
But you really have to know pipes. You have to know, by sight, how to tell legitimate pipes from Pakistani pipes. To the initiated it is usually obvious. The ignorant buyer faces many pitfalls.
That’d be me. 
Thanks for the pointer to Dunbar. I’ll check it out.
Best,
LJ