NEWS FROM REELPIPES.COM - October 2024

By now many bands are back at regular practice, getting new music and members going and making plans for the 2025 season. Here in Saskatchewan, we’re trying to expand the season a little. We had a “Mini Gathering” with some solo and band performances as part of the Saskatoon Celtic Festival on September 15, and we have another such event coming up on November 9^th in Regina, with more planned for later in the year. You can check out the SPBA website for more information.

This autumn we have several great sets of bagpipes in stock, including a very special “one only made” set of Duncan MacRae SL3 with bespoke sterling silver slides and blowpipe sleeve. The silver engraver made just ONE of these in a unique Thistle pattern.

Readers of the newsletter will be aware that I have written a few things about pipes and piping, from a novel centred on the life of Angus MacKay of Raasay to many years of contributions to pipes|drums. In late summer I launched a “Substack” which is free to subscribe to, and which will have some writing about piping, as well as other things. Check it out and share!

Congratulations to fellow 78^th Highlanders (Halifax Citadel) band member Jess Theriault and newly minted 78^th Highlander Gillian Blaney, both in the prizes at the Nicol-Brown Chalice in NY. Gillian won the piobaireachd and MSR events, taking 1^st overall in this major event! Reelpipes.com is a sponsor of the Nicol-Brown Chalice, and of the George Sherriff Invitational, coming up soon in Ontario.

Good luck to all competitors, and here’s hoping your autumn season is going well and the new music is falling into place.

 

IN-STOCK BAGPIPES

Looking for a great bagpipe for a new player, an upgrade to what you’re currently playing or an alternate bagpipe for international travel? We have models that are “entry level” mounts and price with “professional piper quality” sound and design.

• Peter Henderson PH01 – This gorgeous bagpipe includes an R.G. Hardie “Infinity” poly chanter, and we’ll upgrade it to wood for $100.
• Duncan MacRae SL3 [Silver] -This amazing sounding instrument comes with bespoke, hand-engraved sterling silver slides and blowpipe sleeve. It’s an amazing looking instrument and sounds every bit as good. Comes with a blackwood Ceól chanter.
• Duncan MacRae SL4 -Made as an exact replica of Stuart Liddell’s pipes, including antique-style Thistle engraving.
• Duncan MacRae SL3 -This amazing sounding instrument comes with a poly pipe chanter.
• Duncan MacRae SL0 -The least expensive model of the MacRae line still packs the great tonal punch that you expect with the MacRaes. A lovely, light instrument with a great full sound. Comes with a poly chanter.
• McCallum AB3 - Classic full-imitation-ivory look for a bagpipe and a great McCallum quality and sound. Comes with a poly chanter.
• McCallum AB2 – Alloy and imitation mounts and a great McCallum quality and sound. Comes with a poly chanter.
• McCallum AB0 – Blackwood button mounts and a great McCallum quality and sound. Comes with a poly chanter.
• Fred Morrison GHB2 – Fred Morrison spent several years designing the sound and look he wanted, and that comes with every set. These are great sounding pipes and have their own look.
• R.G. Hardie RGH02 – This very classic set of new Hardies features a sleeved, non-crack blowpipe and stock, a lovely drone sound and a classic finish. Excellent pipes for any level of player.
• Hector Russell – This set of pipes was made in the late 1940s by the team that worked for Hector, including Jack Dunbar. This is a full set, complete with all original parts, played very little, and with no obvious cracks or flaws. Fully mounted in yellowed imitation ivory.

Here’s a link for viewing the pipes and the options.

https://www.reelpipes.com/home/highland-bagpipes/category/102-bagpipes-in-stock

 

MK WHISTLES

We’ve got fresh stock of these arriving, including Low D, High D “Midgie”, and Low F. These are fabulous instruments, and fun to play.

https://www.reelpipes.com/home/whistles

 

SOME RECENT ITEMS

https://www.reelpipes.com/home/new-additions

McCallum Pro-Piper Case
This recently developed pipe case is a backpack style, with lots of extras for carry your pipes and gear securely and comfortably.
https://www.reelpipes.com/home/pipe-cases/product/4229-mccallum-pro-piper-case

Broadley Pipe Chanters
Bagpipe maker Ross Watson has launched his own brand after years of working in another shop, and a few top grade 1 bands have jumped onto these chanters right away. They come in a brighter pitched model, and Trad pitch model and B flat.

James Robertson Seasoning
This is a traditional recipe seasoning for skin/hide bags, originally developed by James Robertson bagpipe makers, and later sold to R.G. Hardie, who produce their version, known as “Airtight.” Both great products, and both available on the website.

Tone Protector Cases for Uilleann/Smallpipes
Developed by Bagpipelessons.com in consultation with Reelpipes.com, these cases provide excellent storage for uilleann and smallpipe reeds, allowing long-term storage without the drying out. Perfect especially for dry/high climates. 

Bigley Uilleann Pipes 

Last year I was fortunate enough to acquire a “flat set” of uilleann pipes in B from the Cleveland, OH maker Brian Bigley, and we were so impressed with his work and service that we’ve added his line. We can arrange sets and parts from Brian, from a beginner D practice set to a full set of pipes in your favourite key. Send us an email if you want to discuss.

InTune Mic for iPhone or Android
https://www.reelpipes.com/home/new-additions/product/2953-intune-tm-mic

J. Reid Maxwell Drum Sticks 
https://www.reelpipes.com/home/drumming-supplies/product/2992-j-reid-maxwell-snare-sticks

 

REEDS FOR BAND AND SOLO

• G1 Platinum- This reed is favoured by many bands in all grades for the quality and consistency they deliver, and they go well in a variety of chanters.
• Chesney and Chesney Solos- Many Grade 1 prize-winning bands play Chesney and they do so because they really are good. In our experience, they may be a little harder to manage in dry/high climates but deliver a broad rich sound when managed well. [Tone Protector chanter caps make a huge difference.] Chesney are now producing a solo reed to give you that great vibrant sound with an excellent piobaireachd High G.
• Melvin and Melvin Solo- Adrian Melvin turned his years of top Grade 1 experience into making chanter and drone reeds. We've supplied these reeds at lower strengths to bands in the prairie region, and they are stable and easy to manage. There is also a solo version that is superb in many chanters.
• MacLellan, Shepherd, MacPhee andSound Supreme – All great reeds for soloists, and MacLellan and Shepherd are used by many bands.
• DRONE REEDS– BalanceTone HR, Ezeedrone, Selbie, Henderson Harmonic, Kelt Black Cane and MG drone reeds ready to go! We also have CANE DRONE REEDS by G1.

BOOKS

We have a wide selection of music books from classic collections every piper should own (Scots Guards, Willie Ross, Donald MacLeod) to newer collections by modern masters (Gordon Duncan, Fred Morrison, Bruce Gandy) and piobaireachd books for the serious player, such as The Kilberry Book of Ceol Mor and Donald MacLeod’s Collection of Piobaireachd.

Like a good read? How about I Piped, That She Might Dance, a novel about the life of Angus MacKay, piper to Queen Victoria. We also have interesting books about bagpipes, bagpipe makers, and more.

https://www.reelpipes.com/home/all-parts-and-accessories/category/100-other-reading

Our "Collectible" sections has lots of quirky finds and gifts for the hard-to-buy-for person on your list, including books, antiques, LP recordings and more.

https://www.reelpipes.com/home/collectible

Sending best wishes to all for the remainder of the year. Have great tunes, enjoy the music, and encourage all the kids you know to start lessons.

CONTACT US

Do you have news you'd like to pass along? Want to ask about products or services? Just like talking about bands and bagpipes? : )
Email: reelpipes@gmail.com
Telephone: 306-533-6678

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