The joys and dangers of Ebay pipes

**Ninehostages** · 23rd March 21, 06:09 PM

... delivered by Air Freight ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDfn8I4Ooi8

**OC Richard** · 24th March 21, 03:15 AM

About legit UK and North American made pipes on Ebay, this fine set of David Naill pipes just came up with a very low Buy It Now, half what this set would cost new.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/DN2-Bagpipe...p2056016.l4276

Until more recent makers like Dave Atherton came along, the pipes you saw at Gold Medal contests were generally either 1880-1930 classic sets, or new Naills.

**OC Richard** · 24th March 21, 03:25 AM

Originally Posted by Ninehostages

... delivered by Air Freight ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDfn8I4Ooi8

Ha!

Notice that the sound was recorded in a recording studio and later added to the footage. (The pipes are close to the mic and there's no wind noise. Plus, they added a cat!)

There are (or were) a number of videos on YouTube showing people bungy jumping while playing the pipes...well, there's not much playing going on! They usually loose control of the instrument immediately. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaLCw06chTs

BTW it's a way to get your palate pierced with a foot-long spike! Which could be life-threatening. McCallum makes a flexible rubber blowpipe for the Middle Eastern mounted Pipe Bands for that very reason.

**Ninehostages** · 24th March 21, 06:17 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Ha!

Notice that the sound was recorded in a recording studio and later added to the footage. (The pipes are close to the mic and there's no wind noise. Plus, they added a cat!)

There are (or were) a number of videos on YouTube showing people bungy jumping while playing the pipes...well, there's not much playing going on! They usually loose control of the instrument immediately. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaLCw06chTs

BTW it's a way to get your palate pierced with a foot-long spike! Which could be life-threatening. McCallum makes a flexible rubber blowpipe for the Middle Eastern mounted Pipe Bands for that very reason.

Is it designed to wrap around the camel hump?

Is it on "Alibaba" yet?

**OC Richard** · 24th March 21, 07:23 AM

When you bounce up and down you risk a fatal injury when the blowpipe punches a hole in your palate, possibly severing an artery and/or piercing your brain.

So instead of a rigid wooden or plastic blowpipe, McCallum invented a flexible rubber one for this sort of band.

I'm not sure if they're using the new safety blowpipe here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoyGZ3nhZ68

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAi7dsv9SyA

**Ninehostages** · 24th March 21, 08:51 AM

If you look at the first few seconds of the video just after the Sarge nudges him out of the hatch, you can see pretty clearly that he's actually carrying pipes. It's unknown whether he was trying to play them, though. Who needs a Sten gun when you're armed with the Great Highland Pipes, eh?

**OC Richard** · 1st April 21, 06:36 AM

Just listed on Ebay, 1984 Kintail pipes, full ivory, in super condition for $700.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1984-Kintai...QAAOSwNA1gZL7d

I think they will be gone quickly.

Before bidding I would clarify that the seller means the entire bagpipe pictured and not just the chanter!!

Many times sellers don't know bagpipe terminology. The seller might not know the difference between a chanter and the entire bagpipe.

I've already messaged the seller about that, and also mentioning that (unlike other makers) Kintail stamps "KINTAIL" and the date in a visible place, just below the cord guides, on all three drones.

So if the entire set matches the chanter all three drones will be stamped KINTAIL 1984.

(For comparison/reference here are the stamps on my 1981 Kintail pipes. All three drones are stamped KINTAIL 1981)

**WalesLax** · 1st April 21, 08:57 AM

I also emailed the seller with some questions.

How do you know they are ivory though?

Rob

**WalesLax** · 1st April 21, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Just listed on Ebay, 1984 Kintail pipes, full ivory, in super condition for $700.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1984-Kintai...QAAOSwNA1gZL7d

I think they will be gone quickly.

Before bidding I would clarify that the seller means the entire bagpipe pictured and not just the chanter!!

Many times sellers don't know bagpipe terminology. The seller might not know the difference between a chanter and the entire bagpipe.

I've already messaged the seller about that, and also mentioning that (unlike other makers) Kintail stamps "KINTAIL" and the date in a visible place, just below the cord guides, on all three drones.

So if the entire set matches the chanter all three drones will be stamped KINTAIL 1984.

(For comparison/reference here are the stamps on my 1981 Kintail pipes. All three drones are stamped KINTAIL 1981)

Did you ever get a reply? I was told that the auction is for the full set of pipes - 'what you see is what you get,' but nothing on the ivory or the engraving/stamping.

Rob

**12stones** · 6th September 21, 06:55 AM

An absolutely fascinating thread! I'm no piper and have no knowledge of pipes, but this has sent me down a YouTube rabbit hole that allowed me to watch some amazing craftsman make some beautiful pipes. A couple hours well spent.