Outstanding set of bagpipes made in 2003 by David Booth. These bagpipes are large bore, even beyond some Hendersons. The sound is rich and full with a big bass. No cracks, splits, etc., in any of the pieces. This is a set made by an artisanal master, not a machine. I am the second owner of this set. The metalwork is actually chrome-plated. This set was made to order for retailer Sandy St. James, with David confirming to me that Sandy was the only person ever to request such a finish. What this means for the owner is bright and shiny metalwork that will never need polishing, only an occasional wiping with a soft cloth.
Booth pipes are known for their resonant bass, and valued especially in band settings for this. Admittedly, you won’t find a lot of information on him. He doesn’t maintain a website, and his facebook profile doesn’t have much on it, either. But people who know Booth pipes are fans of Booth pipes.
Included with the set is a poly chanter that was also made for Sandy; you’ll see in one of the pictures that at the top of the chalice is the imprint, “03 SSJ,” with the 3 and the first S overlapping. After some sleuthing and a phone call to Ireland, I was able to confirm that the chanter was made by Warnock, again, specifically for Sandy. They were quick to fondly recall Sandy, and even described the chanter perfectly before I ever sent pictures. It’s a great sounding chanter that with several brands of reeds easily pitches at 480-484. I left the tape on for the photos to show that it is a chanter I use with regularity. It is completely uncarved. I’d keep it except that I feel like it came with the set so it should stay with the set. I’ve used G1 Platinum, Mur-Reed, Husk, Shepherd, and Melvin Band and Solo in it and all were great. I haven’t found anything I thought was a no-go.
The drones are rock solid. This is a great chance to get a set of ABW pipes that sound better than many pipes available new, for less money, with an attractive finish. The bores are larger than some Hendersons of record; the bass bushing is so large I can insert my pinky to the second joint, and I don’t have skinny fingers. They will take any drone reed. In them have I put Canning, Crozier, Balance Tone High Resonance, Henderson Harmonic, Henderson Harmonic that I modified, Armstrong Xtreme, cane, Ackland Overtone, Selbie, and I feel like I’m forgetting someone, but everything sounds great in them. They are highly resonant drones with a deep bass and overtones out the wazoo. In the spirit of full disclosure, there’s one thing. The bass mid-joint is very, very slightly out of true. (There’s a post by Dave Atherton from 1999 discussing the way this can just happen in the wood.) It can be left to slide as it should and operates normally. With less than a quarter turn, it will absolutely lock in place. I think there’s an upside to that. It’s definitely not going to slip accidentally. It’s not a hemping issue, and the piece is not warped; the chamber is only very slightly out of round. If it weren’t so, the price would be higher.
The only nick in the imitation ivory anywhere is exceedingly small and is shown in a photo. The imitation ivory is otherwise without flaw.
I am selling them ONLY BECAUSE I have an arrangement with the Mrs., and I just bought another set, which means one has to go. The barn can only hold so many horses, as it were. If it weren’t for the expense of the other set, I would never sell these. Never.
Feel free to ask for other pictures or send questions. Anyone in the Chicago area is free to set up a time to see and hear them in person.
This set has been kept in a Pelican case with use of Boveda packs, and when not in the case has been kept in a room where humidity of at least 40% is maintained year-round.
