| Costs Involved Let's start, first, with what NOT to do! Read the following real story; feel free to checkout the web site after words, but do so at your own risk! Buying a Great Highland Bagpipe should be done only through a knowledgeable vendor/dealer who plays the instrument. The following is a sad story that really does happen more often than anyone would like: A generous individual goes to a musical instrument store with the idea of buying a set of bagpipes either for themselves or for a dear relative who "likes" bagpipes. The store manager shows them some bagpipes in a catalog and urges them to purchase the "top of the line" bagpipe. The store manager tells the inexperienced consumer that this is a superior instrument and they'll be very happy with it. A few weeks later, the bagpipes arrive in a box and the customer pays $400. When the customer asks for help to get them going, they are told that the store only sell the instruments and that the customer should contact a local piper and/or pipe band. When they come to us (Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band), we listen to the story and cringe, but offer to try to help the customer. The instruments are inevitably of very poor quality and unplayable in their present shape or in any future shape without extensive remanufacturing of the bores, new bag, new drone reeds, new flapper valve, new chanter, and a new chanter reed. At this point we recommend that they return them to the store, request a refund and spend the money on a practice chanter and a quality set of bagpipes. The customer goes away, unhappy and feeling taken advantage of. Much to our despair (and the customers), most of the time the store tells the customer up front that it is a non-refundable special order. The customer has no choice but to eat the financial loss. The following web site is a prime example of what NOT to get nor should you order any of their other products!!!! Columbia Products International Now that we have that settled, let's get down to business with what we recommend! The following Great Highland Bagpipes are worth their weight in gold and come highly recommended by many top professional pipers and by many of us in Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band! We will list a couple of beginner sets, an intermediate set and finally, the advanced, expensive, professional set (just shy of having your pipes custom built). | Bagpipe Bag | | | | A quick note for the type of Bagpipe Bag to use with your set of pipes. Now everyone has a preference, but for absolute beginners not familiar with the various maintenance requirements for each type of bagpipe bag out on the market these days; we would highly recommend a synthetic bag with a hide cover. Two of the most popular brands for this type of bag are 1) the Bannatyne Hybrid Bag (with zipper) and 2) the Ross Bag (with zipper). Both of these bags are widely available and will cost, by themselves, around $220.00 new. However, with the purchase of a new set of bagpipes, many dealers/distributors charge just a few dollars more (like $50.00 or so) for a 'bag substitution' from the less expensive bags they package up for a new set of pipes, to a higher-quality bag of this type. Trust us, it is well worth the upgrade cost! | | | | | | Beginner Set #1 (Polypenco) | | | | 
| | Figure 1 - Dunbar P3 Polypenco Bagpipes. | We will start first with a basic, durable, beginners set of pipes made from delrin, or polypenco (plastic). Figure 1 is a set of Dunbar P3 poly pipes. Polypenco bagpipes are very durable and rugged; perfect for a beginner who is not used to the dynamic elements of a set of pipes! I say 'dynamic elements' due to the fact bagpipes feel a bit awkward at first... all those drones, nothing seems firm; pretty much like trying to balance a large amount of Jell-O on your shoulder! Dunbar P3's are pretty widely available. Check the vendors to the left for current pricing; but do expect these pipes to sell for around $950.00 for a new set. If you do a search for 'Dunbar P3 Bagpipes' on your favorite search engine, you might be able to find them for less; however, please remember the story above and purchase them only from a reputable bagpipe dealer. | | | | | | Beginner Set #2 (African Blackwood) | | | | 
| | Figure 2 - David Naill & Co DN1 Bagpipes | David Naill & Co. is simply one of the best bagpipe manufacturers out there today. Figure 2 shows you their basic beginner set of African Blackwood bagpipes (DN1). Just like the Dunbar P3's above, you can search for 'Naill DN1' on your favorite search engine and you may find some deals, but do expect to pay around $1,500.00 for a new set of these pipes. African Blackwood is a high-quality hard wood and is the best wood to make bagpipes from due to its various hard wood properties for dealing with moisture, various climates and its ability to cure or 'setup'. Warping and slitting can happen to a set of African Blackwood pipes if bad wood is used; however, with top manufacturers this is a very, very rare occurrence. Typically, if your new set of bagpipes split or warp, it has happened due to poor maintenance. Yes... African Blackwood bagpipes are very maintenance intensive. The better care you give your pipes, the better they will perform and sound! See our maintenance section for more details on how to care for your pipes, both new and old! | | | | | | Intermediate Set #1 (African Blackwood) | | | | 
| | Figure 3 - David Naill & Co DN2 Bagpipes | Figure 3 shows you an intermediate set of bagpipes from David Naill & Co. The DN2's are, again, made from African Blackwood, but notice they are a bit more 'fancy'? Their 'fanciness' is due to the nickel plating that has been done to the Ferrule and the Tuning Slides. The only difference between this set and the Beginner Set #2 bagpipes is the nickel plating. But do expect to pay around $1,600.00 for a new set of these pipes. By the way, this configuration of bagpipe is one of the most popular styles to have as a piper! | | | | | | Professional Set #1 (African Blackwood) | | | | 
| | Figure 4 - David Naill & Co DN6 Full Silver Bagpipes | Figure 4 shows you the top of the line, state-of-the-art, Big Kahuna, grand-daddy of them all, (just shy of having your pipes custom built), professional David Naill & Co DN6 bagpipes! These bagpipes have solid sterling silver everywhere! They aren't called full silver for nothing! (All the silver work is hand-engraved!) Expect to pay around $6,500.00 for a new set of these pipes. We do not recommend these pipes for beginners, even if you have deep pockets. Beginners tend to have accidents with their bagpipes, like letting the bagpipes slide off their shoulders! These pipes are extremely heavy and will do exactly that! Also, the drones (big sticks that go on your shoulders) also have a tendency to get knocked around by new bagpipe students. Save your money and acquire these pipes (or have a set custom built, just for you) when you know what you are doing and can give them justice with proper fingering technique and control! Remember, fancy bagpipes DO NOT make you sound better! A high-quality set of pipes like these will sound exactly the same as the beginner sets above in the hands of a student. | |