higher quality / more expensive practice chanters

[Winch]

I started with a loaner plastic PC, not sure of the brand. I quickly bought a Gibson with a Gibson reed and I'm GTG. It feels and sounds much better than plastic to me.

[el gaitero]

Originally Posted by Jethro

Anyone make the switch from a poly chanter to a $300.00 + blackwood chanter? Considering some options and wondered how the experience was. I've been playing a poly for 20 years and figured a step up might be a real treat. Thanks!

you could spend way far less ( half or better) on ebay cautiously buying a vintage Lawrie, Hardie, Glen ,Henderson, Sinclair, etc... I've amassed about 15.. some ivoried, some 'plain'; I play them all. The old Lawries [not with screaming white plastic mounts] especially sound quite good,are very nicely made;.. over time I've gathered 7-8 "matched" Lawrie's with a unique bowl style from the 40's/50's.... and 1 pre-1900 with ivory sole and beaded cupped nickel ferrule.
Also a early 1900's ivoried Glen... but it was well <$150 for any of them.
Keep an eye out ...and bid wisely.
If doing so... be careful to first ask the right questions of the seller...i.e. no splits, chips, cracks, warping, original top, etc,etc.

I use Walsh reeds exclusively...the chanters all sound great. Once in a while I 'award' one to an excellent /moving up student.

As someone else posted.... you'll only might 'impress' people around the band table.

[bob864]

Originally Posted by Winch

I started with a loaner plastic PC, not sure of the brand. I quickly bought a Gibson with a Gibson reed and I'm GTG. It feels and sounds much better than plastic to me.

I can't really tell the difference in sound between my Gibson and my Naill PC, but a Gibson reed makes a huge difference.

[Winch]

I bought like 7 different reeds and the Gibson is best by far for me.

Clarification....I have the cocobolo Gibson, not ABW. It runs about $150.

[Airborne92]

I had a Lawrie PC in ABW that I bought as a new student in '68 (I think I paid less than ten dollars for it). It had a great mellow tone. Roddy MacLeod has one just like it, in fact. Regretfully, mine disappeared during St. Patrick's week a few years back. I had it in my pipe case (which I had always done) and somewhere along all of the gigs I either took it out and forgot it or someone lifted it (most likely the former). I backtracked everywhere I had been to no avail, and I miss it terribly. It was an old friend. I've purchased a couple of polys since and they're OK but don't have the sentimental value.

SCK

[ratherbpiping]

I got a Naill on the Trading post. Long ABW with plastic top. I got it for a very good price. I have found Murray Henderson reeds work very well in it as others have. It sounds good, but I don't spend time really tuning it. It feels good. I would rather play it than any other chanter I have had. IT feels like you playing a crafted instrument rather than a plastic toy. Not saying plastic chanters are toys, just that it feels good to play, not just with your hands.

One big difference over plastic is that it is much less sensitive to moisture build up. You never get choking or off notes due to water in the chanter. That is a big down fall for plastic.

[Matt Buckley]

Bought an expensive ABW Naill many years ago. And I later bought a Gibson poly for use with the band. I came to far and away prefer the Gibson. The Naill had tuning issues, and I had all sorts of trouble finding suitable reeds. The Gibson poly had nice tone and intonation, and was fun to play.

Matt