I made the decision, at 49 years of age (8 years ago), that self abuse was the way to stay young, and frustrated. So I took up the Uilleann Pipes. Until now I have been playing a practice set. For the uninitiated, a half set consists of a bag, bellows and a chanter. I have three chanters, one made by Mark Hillman, one a greenheart chanter of unknown origin that I got from a Mudcatter (Paddymac, I think), and a chanter made by a young fella from Texas by the name of Seth Hamon. Each has its own voice, and I really like each of them for different reasons. I tried to get Hillman to build me a set of drones to add on, making this a half set. To go to a full set would require adding regulators which I will do at a later date. Hillman never came through, so I contacted Hamon, and he agreed to build me a set. Here is a photobucket film clip with audio where you can hear how they sound. The first part of the clip is just the bass and baritone, then there is a short pause and the bass, baritone, and tenor sound. I can't wait for them to get here. For the bass and baritone, he uses a rosewood tube with a styrene tongue. For the tenor he uses a cane tube with a styrene tongue.

Just thought I would share the news, and let you hear the sound clip. I am very excited to get them, and he tells me he is shipping them in a day or so. Comments appreciated.

Mick