Purchasing my first set of Bagpipes
by Ian Lyons
Congratulations! You are ready to purchase your first set of Bagpipes
Lyons Bagpipes have put together special bagpipe packages from the bagpipe makers listed below which we feel are ideal for beginners wishing to purchase their first set of bagpipes.
Package # 2 - Shepherd Bagpipes
Package # 3 - McCallum Bagpipes
Package # 4 - Duncan MacRae Bagpipes
Package # 5 - R. G. Hardie Bagpipes
Package # 6 - Peter Henderson Bagpipes
Purchasing a set of bagpipes can be very easy but there are a few serious considerations you must make before you embark on this important next step in your piping life.
Purchasing a set of bagpipes can be expensive, but relative to purchasing many other types of woodwind instruments.
Bagpipes are most commonly made from African blackwood. This particular type of wood is used because of its unique qualities which produce good tone for many woodwind instruments. African blackwood is an expensive material to use because of its maturity, seasoning time and availability.
Bagpipes are quite a complex instrument and are made up of many different parts. The main parts include the drones, a blowpipe, the pipe chanter and, of course, the bag.
Probably the first and most important consideration is your budget for purchasing a set of bagpipes. This will determine not only what you can afford to buy but also how far into each bagpipe makers range you can go. It is important to note that most bagpipe makers produce every set of their bagpipes to the same specifications. The only difference in cost between each set is purely the ornamentation used on the exterior of the bagpipes. Some have very plain mounts and other more expensive sets have hallmarked engraved sterling silver mounts or sometimes even gold.
The next important consideration is which brand of bagpipes to buy. Some of the most popular and most reputable brands of bagpipes in the world at present are:-
All of these bagpipe makers have a long standing tradition in making superb quality bagpipes. Every set of bagpipes has a number of specific parts to make them complete and these parts all fall into certain categories
1. The Bagpipes which include:- 1 Bass Drone, 2 Tenor Drones, 1 Blowpipe and 1 Pipe Chanter
2. The Bagpipe Accessories which include:- Pipe Bag, Mouthpiece, Blowpipe Valve, Pipe Cords and Pipe Bag Cover
3. The Bagpipe Reeds which include:- Drone Reeds and a Pipe Chanter Reed
Most bagpipe makers put their bagpipes together in a complete package and generally include their own specific brands of accessories and reeds. They do offer discounts for customers wishing to purchase bagpipes without certain items but they don't always discount the full amount of that item. You may, for example, wish to play a different brand of reed, pipe bag or pipe chanter or maybe you are intending to play in a pipe band who have their own specific brands of matched reeds, pipe chanters and pipe bags. The band may also have a uniform issue colours for their pipe bag covers and pipe cords
When you purchase your first set of bagpipes you also factor in the additional cost of a good quality Bagpipe Case to keep your bagpipes safe and a Maintenance Kit to help look after your bagpipes. There are also many other products on the market which have been produced to suit the needs and requirement of pipers. As you progress further into your bagpipe playing you will find some of these products will assist you in obtaining the particular sound and set up that suits you.
If you have any further questions regarding the purchase of your first set of bagpipes or even advice about updating your pipes then please don't hesitate to call us or email us and we will point you in the right direction.
Any Questions:- sales@lyonsbagpipes.com
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