there is a michael vignoles practice set on ebay - “http://cgi.ebay.com/Irish-Uilleann-Pipes-D-Key-By-Michael-Vignals-N-R_W0QQitemZ7403693624QQcategoryZ16226QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem” why is it so cheap? what is there to look out for when you’re buying sets off of ebay?
Why so cheap? The auction isn’t yet over.
you’re correct, the auction isn’t over. i was being general. a martin preshaw practice set sold for $800 on ebay a while ago. many sets are sold for hundreds of dollars cheaper on ebay. what are the disadvantages to buying off of ebay? i realize makers customize sets for particular climates and if you buy off ebay your climate might be different from the instrument’s intended climate…is this the reason?
Like buying a used car. No guarantee from the manufacturer. If you have it properly checked out, you could save a few hundred bucks. However, you’re taking more of a risk than buying new from the maker.
This is more of an issue for the reeds than for the entire set. The most common story you hear is that someone buys a set of pipes in Ireland, brings it to North America and within a few days/weeks, the reeds are ruined.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Irish-Uilleann-Pipes-D-Key-By-Michael-Vignals-N-R_W0QQitemZ7403693624QQcategoryZ16226QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Things that can contibute to the determination of this set’s value:
- hasn’t been played in five years - are there any leaks?
- does the reed still work?
- no keys on the chanter, though it is blocked for future keys
- reputation of maker / cost of his sets normally / delivery time for his sets normally
Just some things to think about.
djm
michael is a good maker