The great highland bagpipe

[Dave Kubasta]

I would like to hear fom anyone regarding "bagpipes" I have rescently decided to get back into piping, and will soon be in a position to purchase as set. I am looking for "evaluation's" of different type's of bagpipes. What do you have? What made you choose "Hardies" (for instance") Do you prefer the sound of good set of Roberston's, or do you like David Nails. Just looking for honest (not trying to sell anything) feedback. Also, if you have come across a particular set you thought sounded really good. What make were those? Thankyou in advance for your feedback. Dave K.

[Bill Reed]

First, how long have you been out? And, what was your level of expertise, or how many years on the pipes, before you gave them up? Second, welcome back to the fold :)

I have a set of McCallum AB1's, which have a rich, beautiful tone. I have MG drone reeds, and, the chanter is a ban chanter, which I BELIEVE is a Warnock. My PM reeds the chanters, so, no clue whats in there.
Most pipers in my band play Naills, and are very happy with them. There are a couple other mixed in there, and they all sound nice. If you stick with the bigger names, you'll be fine. It will also depend on how much you are looking to spend. A set of new Dunbars, poly pipes, even like an AB 2 or AB3 set, will cost you less than a set of ABW pipes from another maker. But, they sound REAL nice. If you are near some bands, I'd suggest going to listen to different pipes, maybe give one or 2 a test.

[Debbie Legros]

I have a set of Naill pipes and I love them, sound great. Bill had a good suggestion to go to local bands and listen and try them out. Then you have to look at what you want as far as appearance, if you want silver mounts, well now your talking expensive. My pipes have nickel mounts and ferrals, polish them up and they look great!

[Ken Smith]

I have a set of McCellans ( not positive of the spelling) They are cocabolo wood and have a beautiful mellow rich tone. They are being made in South Carolina( moved from N.J.)
Recommended to me by my 1st instructor who is one of the top pipers in the U.S.A.
Gibson also makes cocabolo that has a beautiful sound.
Good raw blackwood is hard to come by and commands a premium price for lower grade wood than was available years ago. For my money cocabolo is the way to go.
Also have had a set of Dunbar Polypenco's, they could use more "O" rings closer spaced on the "hempless" drones. Weather is not a problem with them. Wet blowers will have a bit of a problem with them. All in all they prove that a plastic plain jane set can play quite nicely at a fraction of the cost of wood unless your "dumb enough" to buy Pakistani crap. Don't ever believe the nonsense on the net by some vendors who will tell you that the Paki's are taking a bum rap and they have good one's. At $75.00 to $250.00 you might find them ok for wall decoration if you don't have need of decoration I hope you have a fireplace or woodburner as you've bought expensive kindling!