The Frugal Corner?

**beloitpiper** · 15th May 07, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by mddock58

Well maybe this is a challenge for Mark to have his "beginner pipes" evaluated and critiqued by one or two of the pipers we have on board here!

I woud be more than willing. wgroty would be a good person too. He plays more pipes than I do!

**haukehaien** · 15th May 07, 01:46 PM

Well maybe this is a challenge for Mark to have his "beginner pipes" evaluated and critiqued by one or two of the pipers we have on board here!

The only issue I see with this is that - in my experience (YMMV) - the major problem with Asian pipes is lack of quality control. I've seen sets that weren't awful; they had a decent drone sound and the chanters were close enough to being in tune that they could be made to work, and I've seen sets that were essentially firewood. Even if beloitpiper, wgority or one of the others were to get a set that was good, there would be no way of knowing that the next set would be good also. In general, the amount of work needed to make a set of Asian pipes sound good/be playable is far more than any savings that one gets for buying a cheaper set.

I'm not going to rant here; for rants, see http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=18284 and http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=14016.

**Kilted-Marine** · 15th May 07, 07:11 PM

As I said before I don't think that a Piper who had been playing for years would be over joyed with the ones we sell. But for a beginner that is trying to learn fingering and is just starting out..they are great pipes. I think having our pipes EVALUATED by a professional piper would be like having mario andretti test drive a Pinto and offer an opinion. We can get some very nice $800 pipes but that is not the market we want to play in

**Shriner** · 15th May 07, 07:32 PM

Hey Guys and Gals,

I have been exchanging e-mails with Mark, he has been very quick on his replies. He is working with us to offer tartans not listed on his site. This week or next I will be ordering a 13oz. and a 16oz. Kilts. Along with one of his Long Hair Sporran. I look forward to recieving these and posting a review.

John

**Erisianmonkey** · 15th May 07, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by FrugalCorner

As I said before I don't think that a Piper who had been playing for years would be over joyed with the ones we sell. But for a beginner that is trying to learn fingering and is just starting out..they are great pipes. I think having our pipes EVALUATED by a professional piper would be like having mario andretti test drive a Pinto and offer an opinion. We can get some very nice $800 pipes but that is not the market we want to play in

I think also that the pipes you are offering on your site, Mark, appeal to folks like me who would like to have a set around to hang on our wall as decor. I don't have the lung power to play (last time I tried to put air through a practice chanter I turned beet red and almost fell over), but I would still like to have a set of pipes just because they are something I always wanted.

**Shriner** · 15th May 07, 07:57 PM

Charles,

You need a softer reed.

John

**PiobBear** · 15th May 07, 08:28 PM

The bagpipes we sell are excellent for the beginner or the person that wants to give playing the pipes a try. The most expensive pipes we have are around $135...so for the person that is interested in learning, these are a great buy and at a price that would make any Scot smile...

for a beginner that is trying to learn fingering and is just starting out..they are great pipes.

"Great pipes"...at $135.00. I can't even begin to count the number of wanna-be pipers I've met who have been conned into buying Pakistani crap pipes from people like you only to discover that they've been cheated out of their money on a trash set that couldn't even be played without an additional $300-$400 worth of bags, reeds, and chanters, and even then can't be tuned and still wouldn't be worth the sum of it's parts. The lowest retail I would ever point an aspiring student towards would be P2 Dunbars at $855.00 US. Learning to play the pipes is difficult enough on a rock-steady quality set, and virtually impossible on a $135.00 **** set of crap! But then, if you know anything about your product and your market, you already know that, don't you?

You sir are either a cheat and a liar, or an incompetent that hasn't the least friggin' clue about the products he sells. Yeah; given the opportunity, I'd be more than happy to look you in the eye and repeat that to your face.

billmcc · 15th May 07, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

And, suppose its probably as useless to ask you as Jerry...but there's a market out there for your kilts at lengths other than 24"....and no thank you, I don't care to pay someone to rehem them...just a thought.

Ron, these kilts are available in custom lengths.

**Kilted-Marine** · 15th May 07, 09:04 PM

we have made them to 26 inches, we have made them 24.5, 22, and we have made them to 18 inches.. we charge a little more and it takes about 4-5 weeks (we tell folks on ebay 6-8 weeks)

**Kilted-Marine** · 15th May 07, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by PiobBear

"Great pipes"...at $135.00. I can't even begin to count the number of wanna-be pipers I've met who have been conned into buying Pakistani crap pipes from people like you only to discover that they've been cheated out of their money on a trash set that couldn't even be played without an additional $300-$400 worth of bags, reeds, and chanters, and even then can't be tuned and still wouldn't be worth the sum of it's parts. The lowest retail I would ever point an aspiring student towards would be P2 Dunbars at $855.00 US. Learning to play the pipes is difficult enough on a rock-steady quality set, and virtually impossible on a $135.00 **** set of crap! But then, if you know anything about your product and your market, you already know that, don't you?

You sir are either a cheat and a liar, or an incompetent that hasn't the least friggin' clue about the products he sells. Yeah; given the opportunity, I'd be more than happy to look you in the eye and repeat that to your face.

Thank you sir for the kind words. I stand by my assertion. These are good pipes for beginners who wantsto find out if bagpipes might be something they are interested in or even as a set for instructors for students and at a price under $125 the worse case would be they would end up being a great addition to put up over the fireplace. Out of the 25 or so sets we have sold 1 has been returned with problems, eveybody else has left good comments. We have never had to sell more products to FIX issues. Again i believe for the money (not much more then a tank of gas) a person can get a nice pair of bagpipes that they won't feel to bad about tossing into the closet beside a pile of work out equiptment after they decide bagpies are not for them.Stop by our booth at the Minnesota Highland Games and We can have a drink together

Thank you and have a great day
Mark