The Instrument

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The Instrument

Pipes:
I first started out playing a set of Sinclair's manufactured around 1960.
Once I became a little more competative, I obtained a lovely set of Hendersons. They were manufactured in 1920 by Peter Henderson & Sons Ltd. in Glasgow, Scotland.
They are made of:

African Blackwood
Ivory Mounts
German Silver slides
Stirling Silver Blowstick

Drones:
I have found that when it comes to drones, Ezee drone reeds are the way to go. They have a very controlled sound that is not too loud. Once in tune, they will stay in tune for a great length of time. When it comes to competitions, they have never let me down. I have tried the new Sheperd drone reeds as well. I wasn't as impressed with them. I found that eventhough the sound was relatively nice, they were harsh and they didn't have the mellow tone I was looking for.

Pipe Chanter:
I play a wood Naill chanter. The Naill has excellent sound for solo competition. It is not harsh as I find many other chanters are. You can establish a very clear sound by playing a reed that is not too hard and the drones will tune into it just beautifully. When it comes to Piobaireachd, the Naill really pays off. I have never played a chanter that is so beautifully mellow, something I have been taught that is very important when playing Piobaireachd.

Reeds:
I now play a McPhee pipe chanter reed. I had them recommended by Pipe Major MacLeod as well as Bob Worrall. The sound I can get from the reed is incredible. It isn't to harsh and it isn't to soft, it has just the sound I am looking for and it maintains a strong tone.

Pipe Bag:
I use a L&M large leather bag. I prefer a large bag because I find it gives me better control of the tone.