Mouth-blown small pipes: Mccallum vs. Shepherd

[THamm]

I was interested in getting some feed back on Mccallum vs. Shephard mouth blown small pipes. Key of A but open to any suggestions. Both ABW but the Mccallum's have wood reeds and moisture control systems. Shephard has plastic but sound great in the bites that I have heard. (not looking to compare bellows- I already have a set)

[Jens Olsen]

Between the two, I would go with McCallum.
2 friends of mine have a McCallum mouth blown, and they are both very good sets.
I have never tried a Shepherd smallpipe, so I really cant say anything about them.

I myself use a David Naill. You might like to give them a look as well. I would also highly recommend them.

About the reeds.
Well... the reed type should not have an influence, which bagpipe maker to go with. Reeds can always be changed.
but, I once tried the Shepherd smallpipes chanter reed in plastic, and I really did not like it.
it was very loud and very rough in the tone.
(it is some years ago, so maby they are better now)

In my chanter I have a cane reed from Shaw, which I really like.
In my drones I have reeds from Eezereeds, which works for me.
For moisture control system, I use a simple tube and bottle.

[Hot_Rod]

I’ve had a set of poly McCallum smallpipes for just over a year now, and I really like them a lot.

They did come with a cane chanter reed and silica gel MCS, however I didn’t really want to mess around with a silica gel MCS and the cane drone reed, so I replaced the cane reed with a plastic Shepherd chanter reed, and it sounds just fine.

I also removed the MCS and replaced it with a standard Bannatyne bottle moisture trap.

I like that the blowpipe stock is full sized (that is, it accepts a full size bagpipe blowpipe tenon - which offers more options for blowpipes, valves, mouthpieces and MCS).

I also have no experience with Shepherd smallpipes, so I can’t offer any comparison.

[Patrick McLaurin]

For simplicity, since you seem to already have a cane reeded bellows set, I’d go Shepherd with the plastic reeds as long as they’re cheaper. They sound good.

[Jens Olsen]

For simplicity, since you seem to already have a cane reeded bellows set, I’d go Shepherd with the plastic reeds as long as they’re cheaper. They sound good.

I find this interesting.
Like I wrote earlier I tried their SP chanter reed once, but not with success. It is actually about 10 years ago...
I really like the idea of a smallpipe chanter reed in plastic, since it is not affected much by your breath, as a cane reed. And a very short warm-up time.
Since a few here has talked good about those reeds, I think it could be time to try them out again.

[Patrick McLaurin]

The reed type very much has an influence. Shepherds are sort of generic but they’re not universal. In Shepherd’s chanters they’re fine.

[TheHaggisMaster]

I have a set of McCallum Smallpipes but unfortunately I'm useless with bellows. I tried but not only couldn't i get the hang of it I didn't like the way it felt. I ended up buying a small Gannaway bag and tying them in. The added convenience of buying McCallum, along with their stellar customer service, is the drones and chanter, with a split stock, for Fred Morrison Reelpipes are interchangeable. Twice the price but twice the options and twice the fun!

HM

[pancelticpiper]

Before considering Highland pipe makers who make SSPs on the side, I would look at makers who specialise in Scottish Smallpipes.

I'm guessing your Highland pipes weren't made by somebody whose main business is making something else.

[pancelticpiper]

...unfortunately I'm useless with bellows. I tried but couldn't get the hang of it...

I don't know if this is what happened in your case, but I've often tutored Highland pipers who are in the process of learning the Uilleann pipes, and for some reason they expect to learn blowing by bellows in an hour or two.

They seem to forget how long it took them to master blowing the Highland pipes when they began playing all those years ago.

[Jens Olsen]

Before considering Highland pipe makers who make SSPs on the side, I would look at makers who specialise in Scottish Smallpipes.

I'm guessing your Highland pipes weren't made by somebody whose main business is making something else.

Is there anyone you would recommend?
I dont know anyone particularly specialising in those great instruments.
I know of Hamish Moore, but dont know if that is an option anymore...

[Lochie]

I absolutely understand the belief that smallpipes should come from a maker of smallpipes only...
I have played a few lower cost sets put out by makers of regular GHBs, and found them to be worthwhile, but not stellar....
I own 2 sets made by Garvie, and have owned a set by Kinnear. All are excellent instruments in their own right.
But I have added 2 sets by (for) Fred Morrison and I find them excellent in all regards.
Yes, McCallum turns the wood. Yes they use CNC machinery...
Judging by fit and finish and compatability of interchanging parts I'm glad they do.
I'm very satisfied with them.
So they might be worth checking out.
Kinnear is still producing, (gorgeous pipes) but most unfortunately Garvie is not.

[Silmakhor]

Is there anyone you would recommend?
I dont know anyone particularly specialising in those great instruments.
I know of Hamish Moore, but dont know if that is an option anymore...

I believe the Moores closed their order books a while ago. Shame, as their borderpipes sound amazing.

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