Anyone heard of Geoffrey bagpipes?

[newpiper]

Hello
My name is Dave, 2 questions, If I may.

I live in England, I have been learning to play for around 2 years now. I started with a chanter, 12 months ago I purchased some practice pipes from Bagpipes galore in Edinburgh, which have been really good, for practicing and are quiet enough for around the house.

I now want to buy a full set of highland bagpipes. I don't want to spend too much though, it seems the next jump up with UK made instruments is £500+.
I will pay that amount if I get to the next level and wish to play for money rather than my own enjoyment.

I have seen these on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250303936524&cguid=cf3f827e11d0a0aad5b4b244ff238564

If you read the spiel on the advert, they claim to "have been making pipes for over 90 Years, during this time we have also made bagpipes for the Scottish regiments of the British Army" and they state that the "bore is "as smooth as smooth can be"

1.Has anyone come across M.H.Geoffrey & Co, Sialkot, Pakistan?

2.Also the tuning is "A475 peter henderson" What does this mean?

I have read lots of threads about Pakistan made pipes, although I appreciate
that there has been a lot of sub standard instruments apparently come from that area, all the negative comments are very general and I am interested to hear from anyone who knows of this specific company. Good or Bad

Many thanks

Dave B

[Bagpiper]

Don't waste your money. The old saying goes "Buy Cheap Once, Buy Twice Later", or something like that :)

Save up and buy a good set of entry pipes. Some of the well known brands are Naill, Shepherd, and McCallum.

Look at the "Pre Owned" bagpipe market also.

[newpiper]

Thanks Bagpiper

I appreciate the advice.

Are you able to explain what peter Henderson A275 tuning is?

Also have you or anyone else ever come across M.H.Geoffrey & Co?

Many thanks
Dave.

[Bagpiper]

Peter Henderson started his bagpipe business in 1880. His pipes became a benchmark in sound quality. Apprentice pipe makers at Peter Henderson Ltd, who left and started their own pipe shop proudly advertised they worked at Henderson. Many bagpipe makers try to duplicate the sound of the Henderson bagpipes, similar to violins from Stratovarius.

A475 is a reference to bagpipe tuning measurement. The modern bagpipe chanter usually tunes between 470 and 480 Hz for low A.

The original Henderson bagpipes may have tuned to as low as 441Hz as some very old bagpipe sets have been measured. The pitch has sharpened progressively throughout the years.

[newpiper]

Thank you very much indeed Bagpiper

Your explanation is very helpful and informative.

I have also found a set in Scotland http://www.edinburghbagpipes.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=309

But at £555 it's a lot more money (more than double the Pakistan one) and although it looks lovely, it seems somehow to look less ornate.

Your opinion would be most appreciated.
Also the views of other other forum member are welcome. I have no one local
to where I live to ask.

all the best

Dave

[Bagpiper]

I don't have a great deal of personal experience with those pipes. Don't worry about how ornate they are, concern yourself with sound and quality.

The least expensive pipes at the National Piping Centre are here:

http://www.thepipingcentre.co.uk/shop/bagpipes/mccallum-bagpipes/mccallum-ab0/

The Centre would not risk their reputation with selling any junk.

Good Luck.

[newpiper]

Thanks. Thanks a lot.

I won't be able to afford these prices for a while.
I will keep on practicing and save up the pennies for a few more months,
then I'll buy a set from one of the well known makers,

I'll let you know when this happens, probably asking more questions

Dave

[Bagpiper]

There is no such thing as "beginner bagpipes". A real bagpipe should consist of quality workmanship and materials and produce an acceptable pleasing tone. A set of bagpipes can and should last a lifetime.

If the pipes sound awful, then you will not easily train your ear to what is a "great sound". Poorly made pipes from inferior materials are more likely to fall apart, then you will have to spend twice the original amount to replace the set.

You can buy the least expensive set from a respectable pipe maker and make your investment last.

Good Luck,

Kevin

[smokenpipesjim]

I know this is a bit late timing wise, BUT I would add for anyone that has spent the time that you have spent, Dave 2 years ON the chanter, If You had put aside 5 pounds a week during that time you would have had 520pounds... Obviously, an investment But think of the time investment you have made already.. Choose an instrument, to play in a band drum kit?electric guitar, amps,cords, sound system, Mics, its going to be in the same
neighborhood, something more traditional? sure you can get a fiddle cheaper but what will it sound like? Brass ? any quality instrument above school kid band is going to be an investment... beyond true hardship one might suggest
"the cost" can provide youwith the best excuse in the world NOT to learn to play but alsomaked the two years of chanter work pretty much a waste of your time no? I recall Thinking 1200.00 U.S. dollars was a big nut to crunch on something I wasnt even sure I'd be able to deal with... I had a buddy whowas interested as well, working two jobs kids step kids and TO have a partner to "coax " me along I decided and Took a 2200 dollar loan out from my Credit Union, the agreement was he'd dohisbest to payme whathe could afford week by week or month by month (flexible enough terms eh??) and he did so Faithfully..he eventually had to give up band and shortly after the pipes
and as per our agreement I got 1st dibs so as agreed I paid him 1000 and bought my 2nd set of shepards back, I purchased a set of scottish smallpipes
a while later nearly a thousand, and this year I bought a set of McCallums ab4's engraved leaving me with 4 leather bags to season and nearly 5,000 dollars worth of african blackwood an other bits to admire and enjoy.. NIke says "just do it" there are as many ways to do it as to make excuses

[euroscot]

Hi Dave, I started playing a good few years ago and the investment that I made in my first set of Rosewood Macleods was very motivating! I also had a pipe-major who was very motivating as well.... On the subject of Pakistani pipes I would agree that a very large proportion of instruments from Pakistan are inferior and, in many case, unplayable. However, I came across a young Pakistani entrepreneur from Sialkot who was promoting his pipes and Scottish regalia in Paris. He showed me a set of blackwood pipes with the finest bores I have seen. The engraving was apparently done by an enthusiastic worker with a hammer and chisel, the bag was made from an animal which was, er, not watertight and the chanter was not QUITE right. I bought them for the drones and polished out, as much as I could, the chiselling, fitted a gortex bag, bought a new chanter and they're fine. You would be well advised to start off, as everyone else has said, with a good instrument - there are enough other problems to face in piping! (I jest - I think) I would add, of course, that the products of recognised manufacturers will always hold more of their value than an anonymous instrument from the sub-continent.