that special touch

[erracht]

is it more likely to get high quality from a small private maker like Fletcher or Dunfion? Do
they pay more attention to detail and stuff?

[Jeff Wolf]

Erracht, my long-haired comrade,

You realize, I trust, that you have pried the very lid off pandora's box, here. :D

If you thought the answers for your "what's under the Kilt?" question were varied and opinionated, well, you ain't seen nothing yet! :wink:

I'll just stand back over here, out of the heat, blast, and shrapnel patterns...This ought to be fun! :cool:

[Andrew McIntosh]

I think you will get a high quality instrument from any reputable bagpipe maker. Some smaller, private makers may put more individual touches on their pipes - and may be able to accomodate special requests that you have. You may get more satisfaction knowing that one person worked on them.

As mentioned in a previous post, I am very happy with a set I bought last year from Ian Murray (formerly of Gillanders & McLeod). I know Ian and knew he could make a nice pipe for me. But I also know that G&M, a larger maker, also has fine instruments. It's hard to generalize - it can be a very personal preference.

[Charlie O'Keefe]

I smaller company may produce a better pipe. Rest assure my friend had just bought a set of half silver fletchers and they sound great. However from all the info I've been getting(even about undergarments) big companies such as G&M, Sheperd, and McCallum are very good also. I'm going to be buying a set of McCallum's myself. That is my final statement. Remember, don't buy something you're pressured into. Get a lot of info, look around and buy a set you think will be good. I don't think any of the companies make a "bad bagpipe" otherwise, they would run out of bussiness. Just my opininon. Charlie

[Iain Sherwood]

G&M is NOT a big company - right now it consists of Iain MacLeod and a computer. The pipes sold by G&M are made by Ian Murray in Forfar (a one-man shop), and are FAR superior to anything made by Fletcher, Sheppy, MacLeod Highland, McCallum, or Pettigrew.

[Charlie O'Keefe]

Alright Ian, I'll take a risk, maybe. Murray bagpipes, if I can find a nice looking set on my budget I will buy a set. I don't know anyone who plays them. Indulge me. :D

[Mitch Man]

I don't believe any of the North American makers are big shops either for the exception of Gibson and Dunbar, but they are still concidered a small business in terms of employees and income.

Gibson employs 8 Pipe Makers and they have been putting out a complete product line for 20 years now, including the Fireside Small pipes and their new Ceilidh Pipes too.

It's an impressive line for one Pipe Maker to offer at very reasonable prices!

JM

[Bob]

Please..

I worry when I read comments about some pipe maker's product being not good or poor, or .. I worry where it could lead us.. :eek:

I have no problem (of course) with anyone having or expressing opinions, I just have a concern when opinions are expressed in a certain fashion.

Am I too subtle?

[erracht]

Don't worry, Bob. This time, the question is just what's good, and not what's bad!
:)

Anyway, Iain, in what way are G&M pipes "far superior" to Fletcher and the others?

[Andrew McIntosh]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I do believe Gillanders & McLeod still produces pipes, and is not a one-man show by Ian Murray. Unless something has changed recently, Ian left to start his own business, but others are still employed by G&M, making pipes in Forfar.

[Iain Sherwood]

No, Iain MacLeod operates out of Edinburgh now, and is basically a broker. The pipes sold under the G&M name are made by Ian Murray - which I got from Ian Murray. I don't think the man has anything to gain by lying in this matter.

[Andrew McIntosh]

Not to beat a dead horse, but I think there is more to the Gillanders & McLeod story than what Ian Murray has said. Probably a topic for a different post. But I do think Iain McLeod has staff making bagpipes in Forfar - perhaps he also contracts out to Ian Murray. Mr. McLeod has indicated to me that he will be responding to these questions in some forum.

In any case - G&M is not a large operation and makes superb pipes. Ian Murray is also a skilled craftsman and makes superb pipes. I don't think one can generalize about whether an individual maker or a larger firm makes better pipes.

Just my final two cents.