Lawrie 1/2 size bagpipes

[markgottlieb]

I am considering purchasing an old set of Lawrie 1/2 bagpipes.
I've only seen photos. The current owner says he's rather not send sound samples for fear of them cracking as they've not been played in years (?).
He said they must be broken in slowly.
While that is one concert ... the other is if reeding them might be a problem.
They currently have a set of custom made brass drone reeds.
Would anyone have experience with such a set.
I once played a set of Soutar 3/4 pipes and they were a breeze to tune as are my MacLellan Scottish smallpipes.

Thank you for your time.
Mark

[Glenurquhart]

Originally Posted by markgottlieb

I am considering purchasing an old set of Lawrie 1/2 bagpipes.
I've only seen photos. The current owner says he's rather not send sound samples for fear of them cracking as they've not been played in years (?).
He said they must be broken in slowly.
While that is one concert ... the other is if reeding them might be a problem.
They currently have a set of custom made brass drone reeds.
Would anyone have experience with such a set.
I once played a set of Soutar 3/4 pipes and they were a breeze to tune as are my MacLellan Scottish smallpipes.

Thank you for your time.
Mark

Whitney Reader has a similar set of Lawrie's made entirely from solid ivory - but I don't know if he ever set it up for playing as the valuable material is prone to cracking. I have an early 3/4 set of Lawries, and have or had about fifteen antique 3/4 or 1/2 size sets from various makers (MacDonald, MacDougall, MacPhee, Henderson, Thomas, Alexander, David and J&R Glen, Center and unknowns from ca. 1830 to ca. 1900). Nearly all these pipes work or worked well with Eezeedrone reeds, with two exceptions, a MacDougall/Perth (ca. 1860) and a Thomas Glen (?) (ca. 1860 as well) which don't work with anything but cane. However, the air efficiency and power vary substantially from one set to another.