AA,

I come to you as a Drum Major for a pipe band and I have seen and heard all kinds of pipes. The best advice I offer is "you get what you pay for." Avoid any pipes from Pakistan. Avoid anything that is not made from a higher quality wood. There are a lot of pipes out there that are made from plastic and all sorts of low grade wood. You want something made from a "hard" wood. I would stay away from online music stores. Stick with the reputable suppliers and manufacturers. Many of the members of my band have found really nice pipes at a low cost. Search eBay for a piper who is selling pipes because he/she bought new ones. If you have a local pipe band supplier see if they have anything that has been in their shop for awhile or with the reputable suppliers for overstock items because you can usually negotiate on the price. Contact any bands in your area, you never know what people have lurking in their closets. What it all comes down to is that you don't want pipes that don't sound good, even though they are for your own entertainment, you'll just get frustrated with them and they'll end up in the back of your closet. Good luck...I'll keep an eye out in my area