Hi,
I am about to commission a full set and I would like to hear your thoughts as to the different types of wood to use. I am in Australia, and would prefer to use native Australian timbers, but am not stuck on them exclusively.
My region has a warm temperate climate, similar to say, California or the Mediterranian.
Thank you.
Ironwood is nice stuff, I had a cheeseboard made out of it, but I don’t know how it would be for turning pipes. Probably pretty good native Australian timber.
Typically, ebony is considered the premier timber for uilleann pipes, but other timbers are used as well. Different pitch pipes my do better with different timbers. Flat sets may do well with African blackwood, but some feel it is too bright for D sets. Rosewoods, including cocobolo, are fine for D sets. Boxwood was used on a lot of old sets and some like it today, despite its’ tendency to warp. I only know of a few Australian timbers used in instruments. Oz whistles uses desert gidgee for D whistles and feels it to be the best timber for that pitch. It is a particularly beautiful timber, particularly the ringed gidgee. I know of flutes made in Australia of desert ironwood. You may want to check with Mitch Smith of Oz Whistles, about Australian tone woods.
You might also want to check with Terry McGee (here’s a link to his timber pagehttp://www.mcgee-flutes.com/materials.htm) about Oz woods. He made my flute out of Cooktown Ironwood, and it’s a fine wood for it, although I seem to remember that he doesn’t use ironwood for keyed flutes.
Is your pipemaker in Australia if so he would probably know best ,if not, would he be willing to source Australian timber and import it to where ever he is? Really your pipemaker is the man to ask.
RORY
Holly and Boxwood are both lovely woods as are some fruit woods such as plum and pear. I have heard a chanter made from Yew wood which was lovely.
Palosanto!
Since you are from Adelaide, have a chat to Jack Brennan or Nick Martin regarding pipes. Both nice guys. Jack owns an Alain Froment set which sounds great!
Thank you for your replies and thoughts. I have discussed materials with the maker, but wanted a bit more knowledge and perspective before I proceeded. This represents a serious investment for me, and I just didn’t want to have any doubts or regrets. It’s not everyday I commit to spending so much money. Why do these things have to be so damn expensive, but so damn attractive! Uilleann be thine name, I curse you and bless you in the same breath!
Cheers.
Paragon, have a look at Australian Red Lancewood…
It’s great for pipes.
Ian Mackenzie (in Blackheath) has been making pipes in Lancewood for years.
There is a similar subject on the other forum with an interesting listing of timbers http://uilleannforum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=939
Oz watch out - it seems in common with having the most number of nasty creatures - DB Platypus, SW Crocs, venomous snakes, box jellyfish, poisonous spiders the timbers also follow the pattern - bet your maker would love you to request Mulga 
http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/
John
The list concerning the toxic properties of woods I posted on the Discussion Forum is certainly scary especially as I have several Australian species here in the workshop including Mulga. Also have Canthuim (Native Current) which is a nice wood - bark looks like box but wood is pale brown with darker rippled sections
My experience with some of them are interesting including boring out Cooktown Iron wood with ‘D’ bits - more of a burn your way through as the pieces I had certainly lived up to their nickname of ‘organic iron’
If going for a native Australian Timber then definately seek the advice of a local maker
Chris