piper choice as starter set?

seanc · Post by **seanc** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:51 pm

Are these piper's choice UP starter sets worth looking at? As mentioned, i am an absolute beginner here..

for reference:
http://www.celticaffairs.com/piping.htm
Thanks!
sean

marcpipes · Post by **marcpipes** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 2:00 pm

Nope! Don't waste the money on these. They a frustrating rubbish at the best of times. For only a bit more, you could get a David Daye penny chanter.

mayo_piper · Post by **mayo_piper** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 2:24 pm

Here is the link.........http://www.daye1.com/

seanc · Post by **seanc** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 2:31 pm

How do those stack up against the boston pipes?

brianc · Post by **brianc** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 4:58 pm

misterpatrick · Post by **misterpatrick** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 5:14 pm

If you search you'll find lots of thought on good starter sets. In addition to David Daye, Boston Pipeworks you can also check out Pat Sky who has a budget set that might be what you;re looking for. There are also a few other makers out there making cheaper sets but I have no experience with them.

Get to a tionól as soon as you can and try out lots of sets, even if it's just bleeps and blorps it's a good way to start getting an idea of what you like and what you're not so crazy about. You may even find a can't-be-beat deal on a practice set. The SOCAL tionól is only a little over a month away. I found cheap airfare.

meemtp · Post by **meemtp** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:58 pm

I second the Boston recommendation...I have one of their chanters that I picked up as a spare and it's very good, with two excellent reeds. I seem to play it more than my regular chanter these days. I can't speak for David Daye and Pat Sky personally, but both have established recommendations and you can't go wrong with any of the three. One thing I can say is that the UPB chanters are good if you want something a bit less, well...concert-pitchy. They're concert pitch and not narrow bore, but are a bit narrower than most concert chanters and thus more apartment/neighbor/family/spouse friendly. Probably why I play that one more than my other chanter!

nemethmik · Post by **nemethmik** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 4:18 am

The Pennychanter is a great solution for a beginner. Checkout these
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmlrf-XV0Z4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pFWoprZcPM
IMHO, a Pennychanter is a must for all Uilleann pipers.
HTH

Miki

seanc · Post by **seanc** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 2:02 pm

So then, between the boston and the penny is there a strong reccomend? The penny has drones, or at least the option to add drones where the boston does not appear to be the case.

Going one step further then.. Am I to gather that these are pretty modular? Can you take a chanter from one, bellows from another bag from somewhere else and drones and have a usable system??

misterpatrick · Post by **misterpatrick** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 2:22 pm

You can add drones to pretty much any set. It's just a matter of punching through the bag and tying in the mainstock. Chanter and drones don't need to be from the same manufacturer. I'd say the Boston is more chanter-like of the two, but they're both good. For upgrading to a half-set, I'd say wait and try out some different sets.

mayo_piper · Post by **mayo_piper** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 2:25 pm

Seanc,

To answer the last part of your question, yes you can add a chanter to another maker's set. People do it all of the time.

I own a Penny chanter and the reed is great and does well in most climates. I have heard very good things from Boston Pipeworks too. ask Pat D'Arcy - he has had students play on these chanters. I know you might be new to this forum - but many pipers do look up to him.

PJ · Post by PJ » Tue Sep 25, 2007 2:27 pm

seanc wrote:Going one step further then.. Am I to gather that these are pretty modular? Can you take a chanter from one, bellows from another bag from somewhere else and drones and have a usable system??

Careful about mixing.

Firstly, you have to make sure that the parts connect. Most chanters have a similar outside diameter of on the air-intake so they'll connect to most bags (I think it's 3/8") - BUT NOT ALWAYS. The connections between bag and bellows are more varied/less standard.

Differences in reed pressure may be an issue - although you can always get a lighter or heavier reed made for your chanter.

Finally, some makers' pipes are louder than others or have a different tone. If you end up with loud drones and a quiet chanter, people won't hear your chanter. You want to make sure that the volume is balanced.

seanc · Post by **seanc** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 3:11 pm

That sounds like the perfect newbie way to go! I could sit in with anybody! It would be like the MTV of the ITM.. What is Gaelic for lip syncing??

Patrick D'Arcy · Post by **Patrick D'Arcy** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 3:17 pm

Ailínithe liopa

PD.

No E · Post by **No E** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 3:31 pm

Patrick D'Arcy wrote:Ailínithe liopa

PD.

Small wonder people look up to you.

Admiringly,

No E

Chiff and Fipple Forums

piper choice as starter set?

piper choice as starter set?

daye

how about compared to the boston

so then between the boston a penny and something else??

chanter

Re: so then between the boston a penny and something else??

hmm... loud drones silent chanter??