The joys and dangers of Ebay pipes

[OC Richard]

Derek Marr pipes, very low now but let's see how high they go

https://www.ebay.com/itm/31618756409...ndition=4%7C10

Very nice old Lawrie pipes, but with a replacement Bass bottom section, and rather overpriced

https://www.ebay.com/itm/22659041908...ndition=4%7C10

These Lawrie pipes are significantly underpriced, yet they've been on Ebay for a while and there's been no interest.

I'm pretty sure that these will outperform most pipes being made today, for a third of the price. For a while I played a Lawrie set much like this one, the harmonics were very good, and the volume was quite enough for Pipe Band work.

The seller assures us that the pipes "are in very condition". Very what? From the photos they look to be fairly pristine for a 60 year old set.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/28631460290...ndition=4%7C10

[OC Richard]

Naill pipes for $850US

One doesn't see Naills this inexpensive very often.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/28633789827...ndition=4%7C10

[JPS]

Naill pipes for $850US

One doesn't see Naills this inexpensive very often.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/28633789827...ndition=4%7C10

Seems they need a bit of simple repair. That's going to be a great find for some lucky piper.

[OC Richard]

Yes gluing some ferrules.

I've played Lawries for 50 years now, their ferrules were just glued on, and I think every old Lawrie I've ever owned (a dozen or so) have had at least one loose ferrule. I take it as par for the course.

I remember somebody returning the pipes they bought because they were "defective", turns out it was a loose ferrule!

Speaking of old Lawries, there's been one on Ebay a while now. The seller keeps lowering the price and still no takers. It's down to under $500 now. I don't need another Lawrie, but at that price I might have to get those.

[OC Richard]

Has this one been discussed already? It just popped up, perhaps not for the first time.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/38754393689...ndition=4%7C10

Somebody wanting over $2,000 for a set of catalin-mounted Hardie pipes, which generally go for around $600-700.

They don't seem to realise that people don't purchase a set of pipes to get the case. Or a moth-eaten plaid and kilt.

[OC Richard]

This set is getting a lot of bids.

It's lovely, perhaps Glen?

But without measurements we don't know whether it's a 3/4 set or a full-size set.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/22664969881...ndition=4%7C10

[JPS]

Has this one been discussed already? It just popped up, perhaps not for the first time.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/38754393689...ndition=4%7C10

Somebody wanting over $2,000 for a set of catalin-mounted Hardie pipes, which generally go for around $600-700.

They don't seem to realise that people don't purchase a set of pipes to get the case. Or a moth-eaten plaid and kilt.

Judging by the configuration of those pipes, I'd say there's a lot this seller doesn't realize.

[OC Richard]

There's a strange thing currently happening with Ebay pipes.

There are a half-dozen sets of Border pipes and smallpipes, by some of the most-sought-after makers, currently for sale.

Here's a Ray Sloan Border pipe https://www.ebay.com/itm/28616306433...ndition=4%7C10

Here's a Garvie (Nigel Richard) Border pipe https://www.ebay.com/itm/12696783555...ndition=4%7C10

Here's a Nate Banton set listed as "Border pipes", two chanters (in A, and D). The D chanter certainly looks like a D Smallpipe chanter, and the A chanter might be a Smallpipe chanter as well, with a High B key. https://www.ebay.com/itm/17692850886...ndition=4%7C10

Not to mention multiple sets by less-sought-after current makers like Fred Morrison/McCallum

https://www.ebay.com/itm/25685371604...ndition=4%7C10

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12691551731...ndition=4%7C10