Hi all,
Could anybody give a opinion on what practice set I should buy.
My two favourites so far are David Daye as they are cheap and have a good reputation and Michael Vignoles because they sound great in some sound clips. Though he seems to have been coping it from a few people though they all have one thing in common, they never seem to come straight from him but through ebay or something else.
So if you have a good maker in mind please say.
Jack
Contact Pat Sky
(919) 929-2048 or (828) 765-6628
I think he can help you very much…Ed
Jack,
Firstly, I don’t mean to disparage any maker’s work but don’t base your choice on a soundclip.
It can be helpful to choose a maker that is relatively close to where you live. What part of the world are you in? City, state, country?
[quote=“PJ”]It can be helpful to choose a maker that is relatively close to where you live. quote]
I second that very strongly. Being close to a pipemaker must count
solely for a beginner and never money, sound, aesthetics or whatever. Piping can be very easy if everything is right (pressure, size, volume of bag and bellows …) and only a pipemaker “within reach” can guarantee this or help you. Otherwise starting to play can be one hell of a frustration. You´ll buy the “set of your choice” later anyway. Show me a muscian who plays the same instrument for the rest of his/her life.
Nick Whitmer
I agree stick to a pipe maker close to you.
I bought a used half set in the key of D and am happy with it! I asked the guy who sold me the pipes how was dealing with Nick and he stated it was great, he’s nice, and on time. That is important as there are some makers who are less than reliable as far as time promised and response to e-mails, as I found out.
Happy piping!
Hi
Thanks for your opinions. Do you know any makers in Australia?
Jack
http://www.uilleannobsession.com/links_makers.html
Adrian Jefferies from Queensland, Australia. I don’t know where you live but aleast he’s on your continent.
http://www.irishpipes.net/
Matt
I thought he moved back to Ireland?
The user Ausdag on here is in Oz.
Drop him a PM or he may be watching.
Mukade
The only maker in Aus I know is Ian McKenzie. He is in the Blue Mountains, Blackheath. Nice bloke. I know a couple of people in Sydney who have his pipes if you want to ask about them.
Chris
Hi
I live in Melbourne. Do you know of any teachers in this area?
Jack
Get in touch with this guy (he goes by Ausdag on this board).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8at9Tg61rno
I’m not sure what part of Aus he’s in but he seems to know what’s what and I suspect he also knows who’s who. I think he’s been known to socialize with a pipemaker (I forget the fellow’s name - I’m sorry!); I remember a recentish post where they were experimenting with reeding various chanters by various makers.
There’s a summer school just out of Melbourne, in Koroit, which always has a pipe class. I think it is taught by Pat Lyons…
Defintely talk to Ian McKenzie.
If you are looking for pipes in Melbourne come to the Quiet Man in Felmington on sunday at 5pm or the Cork Man on Thursday in Carlton at 7pm. There is a piper called Martin at both. I often play on the sunday. Thursday is propably the easier sesion to actually hear something and have a chat. I have full set in red lancewood by Ian, so at least you can get an idea of what you will be getting if you went dowen that road.
If you can’t make the sessions, let me know and maybe we can make another time.
Slan,
Liam
David Goldsworthy (AusDag) lives in Brisbane, and he is working closely with a pipemaker named Malcom Mclaren. I’m not sure if Malcom sells his stuff to the public just yet but Dave will be able to let you know. Malcom’s C# chanters are really nice and he’s perfected that pitch.
Ian MacKenzie is a really great guy and has been making pipes forever. He does a “budget” set made out of red lancewood, but I personally am not a huge fan of its tone. His blackwood sets are much more appealing to my ear.
Adrian Jefferies did indeed move back to Ireland. I’d imagine he would have to revise his price list now he is not on Aussie Dollars? Does anyone know if he’s changed his pricing?
Hi Guys
Thanks for all your help.
Do you know how much a practice set by Ian would cost. Im only 14 so my budget is pretty low. Around $1100 if I work for a bit.
Jack
Hi amckay
Aiden’s prices are still in Australian dollars 
I found Malcolm McLaren’s web page and it seems he is selling uilleann pipes, no details as to pricing, or even an address, on it.
David
Ian is around $18-1900 Australian for a practise set in Blackwood, but I would suggest talking to him by phone at least even if you don’t think you can make his price.
Chris