For sale : William MacKenzie bagpipe, Made in Dublin, 1915
Nickel and natural material, African blackwood – drones and stocks only.
Some history on this set…….
This is quite a rare instrument, and I personally, have never come across another MacKenzie set.
I’m sure there are probably one or two more around Dublin, but they’ve yet to surface.
In early 2018 I got a call from the son of the original owner, who during our conversation told me that his father had purchased them new from William MacKenzie in Bolton Street, Dublin, in 1915 – he also said that his father had received tuition from MacKenzie and later from Alex Meikle in the mid 1920s.
He then told me that his father had played with St. Laurence O’Toole in the late 1920s and Dalkey P. B. from 1932 to about 1950. Sometime after this, the pipe was packed away and put in the attic.
It was hoped that someone in the family might learn the instrument at some point, but this never happened, and in 2017 when the house was being put up for sale, the pipes once again came to light.
He also showed me an old framed photo of his father with the Dalkey band in 1946, with this set on his arm.
Fast forward to today……
The family parted with the pipes on the proviso that I get them playable again.
In order to do this, they needed a refurb, as it was literally a box of pieces – with a shrivelled up bag – but everything was there,nothing was missing.
The original nickel had disintegrated in places and was beyond saving, so the decision was made to replace it all with new metal.
Some of the mounts were stained and required a light skim in places to clean them up.
The wood was in good condition though – no cracks, splits or warps – and the combing and beading has a Starck-ish look to it.
Once the refurb was complete, I began playing them in……. gently.
The result is an excellent sounding and looking pipe which is now ready for the next hundred years.
It performs very nicely at today’s modern pitch and the tenors tune up on the hemp with ease.
It is also a rock steady instrument and perfectly suitable for both band and solo work.
I have a video of myself playing them, which can be sent to any prospective buyer, so they can hear just how good this pipe is.
I’ll be sorry to see them go, but I need to make room as I have too many sets sitting and not being played….. and these are too good to be lying in a box.
If you’re interested, have any questions or would like to make me an offer, then drop me a PM.
Price is :
€1850 Euro plus postage
£1650 UK plus postage
$2300 US plus postage
PayPal, bank transfer or Revolut payment accepted.
