Over the years I've had four practice chanters. #1 was the cheap Pakistani model. It sounded pretty good and has been given to a friend who expressed an interest in learning the pipes.

#2 was given to me by another friend who picked it up in Scotland. It's delrin (called polypenco in Scotland). It's been tentatively identified as a TruTone.

My wife gave me #3, a Gibson delrin full size model.

# 4 is a Strathmore African blackwood with a John Walsh reed. It is by far the best sounding PC I own and for a PC sounds very musical.

The TruTone is my second favorite and lives in my car for practice at stoplights and on the ferry. It's been nearly indestructible.

The Gibson was my choice because of reviews on various forums. But it seems not in tune with itself and has a decidedly duck like sound to my ear. Neither of the instructors I've had liked it's sound. The first guy had me play the TruTone. The second insturctor acquired the Strathmore for me.

I'd suggest finding an instructor first. He or she may have a PC to loan you to get started. Buy your first PC based on your instructor's recommendation. Or if you're starting your instruction with a band, get a PC that is the same as what the band uses.