Buying Bagpipes
Now that you are in the market to buy a set of bagpipes, what are the things you need to know?
Will you buy it new or used?
It is possible the person who teaches you or the group you join may have members with older bagpipes they will sell you. This is a great way to start as you will obviously save some money to start but you are also dealing with people you know and trust. Once you have experience with the bagpipes and know what you are looking for and the potential problems you can have, then you can shop on your own or with a friend to help.
A "new" set can be purchased from a vendor or manufacturer but [like anything else from houses to automobiles] you need to know if you can trust the seller. You can use the experience and wisdom of others in the pipe band to steer you in the proper direction, probably to vendors they know and trust.
Sets from Scottish makers are well known to be fine quality instruments that can last you a life time when cared for properly. They usually retain their value and can be passed on to other learners as you advance in your own piping career. There are other very fine manufacturers in other countries with a great Scottish background such as Canada.
There are sets from other countries such as "Little Scotland" in Pakistan that have mixed reception. These pipes can be vary good value for your money, however, especially when you are starting out. Consider these to be "beginner" pipes. And a little secret? Take a look at a number of "Scottish" shop online or visit one in person if you get a chance, and you will find them offering these along with their top of the line Scottish made pipes. The reason? They well know that not everyone can afford to shell out $1-2,000 dollars to but top of the line. Everyone has to start somewhere!
What should you pay?
The adage, "you get what you pay for" is true but so is "You can't always afford what you want"!
Sometimes you can get a very good set of pipes by not paying for a lot of intricate ornamentation in ivory or silver settings or mountings.
Top of the line bagpipes are usually on the $1-2,000 range with middle range pipes available for a few hundred dollars.
When you are looking to buy a used set consider:
Are there any cracks in the wood.? Have the bagpipes stripped down to check everything out. Surface cracks that don't affect the tone are OK but they can develop further and ruin the instrument if not properly cared for.
Look at the drone caps, the ferrules and the mountings. Look closely for damage. Do they fit securely. Some wear and tear is acceptable but consider how long you may be able to use them. Don't throw away your money because they fit your budget if you only have to look again before long.
Wood or 'Plastic'
The best bagpipes are made from African Blackwood [Dalbergia Melanoxylon]. The best bagpipe makers used well seasoned wood that has been dried properly. The only way you can know if they do this is by reputation. The pipes that last forever, don't crack or shrink in sections and have a fine rich sound.
Of course, you need to remember that if you live in a climate that has a much higher or lower humidity this can greatly affect your instrument as well and has to be watched constantly to maintain your instrument in its proper playing condition.
Rosewood is used in the lower grades or beginner bagpipes. A lot of this comes from the fact that African Blackwood is becoming harder to get and much more expensive. There are a number of bagpipe maintenance books that offer tips on caring for Rosewood as well since many people can only afford this type of instrument in the beginning.
The more modern material used to manufacture the bagpipes in polypenco plastic. Again, this commercial plastic has been used as the cost of African Blackwood has risen and alternatives are sought. They don't have quite the same tonal qualities as wooden bagpipes but they require far less maintenance and are very good for those in areas of high humidity where standard bagpipes are very difficulty to maintain.
Pipe bag material?
Traditionally, pipe bags [the air reservoir] have been made from natural materials such as sheepskin or cowhide. There are also synthetic materials such as "Gore Tex" that have been developed to assist with the moisture problem. Moisture builds up in the bag from condensation from all the air being blown in from your lungs. The humidity in your particular climate adds to this constant problem as well.
Professional pipers tend to like the natural materials but they can be a constant chore for the part-time or occasional player who doesn't have the time for constant bagpipe maintenance. They want to use their precious time to play the bagpipes and get much, much better.