Here is an unique vintage set of pipes that came out of -Reid’s Glasgow music shop in the 1940’s.
The Bagpipe Place Museum says:
“Robert Reid was the most dominant piper in the world in the 1920’s and the 1930’s winning some of the most prestigious piping contests over and over again. He also made bagpipes from 1932 to 1947.”
These pipes are made from Cocus wood with lovely sapwood showing at the top of the Bass drone, a bit on the bottom part of the Mid-Tenor and more on the drone stock of the outer Tenor drone. Cocuc is a dense Caribbean timber that was once a premier choice for bagpipes offering exceptional resonance and tone… sadly no longer available.
I had this set in the lower pitch of A=440 as I love the mellower sound, but as there has been little or no interest in the “A” MacPherson set I presently have on eBay, I have fitted Bb drone reeds to this set and will send a 1970’s William Sinclair of Leith, Edinburgh Blackwood chanter along with the original Robert Reid Cocus chanter.
Unfortunately the Reid chanter’s lowest “G” note was enlarged by some previous piper—- probably because modern reeds do not suit this older chanter. I did my best to close the hole with cork.
The drones lock in quickly and stay strong and stable with the Sinclair chanter providing a lovely balance.
A 2nd pipe cover will be sent along as the present red one is a bit too busy for many.
Spare Bass drone reeds and drone extensions will be sent as well.
Unlike my MacPherson set on offer on eBay UK, these pipes have no “harmony drones” added, but I have fitted my usual air-stop key to silence the chanter for tuning or a bit of rest. This is one of the most effective air-stop keys I have ever made for the pipes.(Photo 6)
Being an Uilleann piper (see my Dow bellows ad) I fit one of these onto all my pipes- even the much quieter Northumbrian.
This set will come in a very protective and easy-to-carry banjo case which will of course be placed in a strong cardboard box.
Thanks for reading.
p.s. I tried to load a short video that illustrates the air-stop key, but I had no luck.
And I should add there is no ivory on this set so you are good to travel the world with them.
