Adventures in N’umberland

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David Burleigh, the most prolific, and now retired, maker of Northumbrian Smallpipes very helpfully numbered his instruments from the mid 1970s onwards topping out at a whopping 3,269 in 2012. The exact dates for some instruments are known and from those a rough timeline can be derived. Sometimes, however, sets come along with the potential to cause confusion!

First up is an early set from the mid 1970s I had a play on last year and it was one of the earliest numbered sets I have seen – and there’s an obvious challenge in reading the number – is it #66 or #99?

The number is always on the low E key (with the name on the low D key) and in all chanters I have seen the numbers are read with the E key on the top of the chanter. This would mean that this set would be #99. In later sets there is a number marker – it’s not consistently applied pre/post the number but it is non-reversible!

Here’s the other set that caused some confusion; the owner had asked me to fettle a set and the number was reported (entirely legitimately!) “81 something but it’s hard to read”. I was expecting something from the mid 1970s. As it turned out the set was a good 20 years younger dating from the early 1990s:

The number marker that can be seen here appears to be the Greek letter Psi (Ψ) – it’s not known why this was chosen, it may well have just been an unused / non-roman type stamp that was too hand!

Sold: Burleigh 7k Concert D Set

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Sold – no longer available

Here’s a concert pitch (D) set of Northumbrian Smallpipes made by David Burleigh in the mid to late 1990s (#2395). It’s standard construction; blackwood and brass with a 7 key chanter and 4 drones with a single tuning bead. Chanter responds nicely with a rich tone and the drones have the original cane reeds which match the chanter really nicely.

Fully reeded, original bellows & full playing condition – case included.

Price: £850 + delivery

Location: West Northumberland – and occasionally elsewhere

Contact me to buy or for more details.

Burleigh Smallpipes – Timeline

Posted on by Rob 3 Comments

The most prolific maker of Northumbrian Smallpipes, David Burleigh made in excess of 3200 sets over the last 40 years. There is a definite progression in the style of the instruments over time and most of the sets are numbered – which means most can be fairly accurately dated. There are however some contradictions in the dates reported for early instruments (#250 – #500)

~1968 – 1971

Amateur period

7 or 9 key sets stamped “Armstrong-Burleigh” on the low E or D key – these sets are not numbered. Typically blackwood and nickel silver (although some brass sets are known). The keys were all handmade and the drones have turned thick walled sliders rather than rolled tube and the stopper pistons typically have distinct ‘acorn’ ends.

1971-73

Semi-Pro Period

Primarily making on his own and producing more sets but still working as a taxidermist at the Hancock Museum. The ‘Armstrong’ stamp stops appearing in this period (it is unclear whether this was by choice or request). These sets still feature the acorn piston ends, are hand crafted and very much in the pattern of the earlier sets.

~1972

late ‘Armstrong-Burleigh’

7k F set with nickel silver undressed ferrules, catalin drone caps (estimated date)

1977

Reid Pattern: Ivory & Silver

Copied from a early 19thC Robert Reid set – this ivory and silver mounted set of pipes was made by the maker for himself.

1979

#0392

11 key F set

1981

#0483

11k Concert D set

1983

#1053

11key F set (G#’s & Fnat’s), complex drones (2 beads on G), handmade keys

1985

#1180

7k F set – simple drones

1997

#2395

A 7k concert D set with 4 drones and single tuning bead.

1999

#2580

2005

#2776

7k Concert G Chanter (only)

2008

#2829

11 key F set – cast keys

2012

#3269

Set #3269 is the last known set produced from the Longframlington workshop

April 2012

Retirement

David stop taking new orders and retired from making new sets although he continued to service his own sets. The business was offered as a ‘going concern’ but ultimately the workshop in Longframlington was closed. The Northumbrian Pipers’ Society acquired the remaining stock of parts and have made these available to members interested in making their own sets. Unfortunately the work books with details of all of the instruments made were not kept.

Sold: Armstrong-Burleigh 7k NSP (F+)

Posted on by Rob

No longer available – pipes have been sold

Here’s another set of Northumbrian Smallpipes for sale – this one was rescued about 12 years ago from a trophy shop in Sussex and turned out to be quite an interesting set. I’ve kept it as a ‘borrow’ set to get people started over the years but now I need to make space.

It’s a 7 key traditional pitch instrument (F+) made in blackwood & nickel silver with Catalin mountings (showing typical orangey/yellow for this age); four drones and single tuning bead on the big G drone. The chanter has been fettled and is currently playing quite sweetly at concert F. The drones are cane-reeded and the set has a new Boyce bag fitted with an interchangeable stock and blue velvet cover. The bellows are the basic design and the current waist strap is on the short side (easily replaced). It does however appear that at some point an original emblem has been removed from the outer cheek leaving an unvarnished outline. This could either be re-varnished or you could add your own badge.

This set is unusual in that it dates from the time before David Burleigh starting making pipes professionally and mass producing his instruments. At this time (late 1960’s or early 70’s) David was learning from and constructing sets with Jack Armstrong and this set is stamped ‘Amstrong-Burleigh’ on the low D key. Although it shares some characteristics with the later mass produced pipes, it is a quite distinct style and there is a much more personal feel to the set.

The drone sliders are made with thick walled nickel tube which has a more satisfying feel than the later thin brass and the drone ends taper down to a very narrow width at the tone hole – the stoppers are ‘acorn’ ended. The chanter keys are all hand made and sit quite nicely under the fingers. With the exception of one, all of the ferrules are plain & undecorated; the chanter foot ferrule has some poor quality inscribed lines. All of the stocks have been turned with exceptionally thin wood behind the ferrules – there has been some loss inside the blowpipe stock (shown in pictures). The standing part of the small D drone has also been repaired. Neither of these affect the utility, presentation or musicality of the instrument.

All in all it’s a very good quality instrument in full working order with a bit of history about it. Better musically than the average mass produced Burleigh set but perhaps less robust. It will make a very good starter set but could also be a instrument to enjoy over a long piping career. The set comes complete with handmade wooden box (which I think is original as well).

Price: £700 + delivery

Location: West Northumberland – note the wooden case is heavy and I would prefer to arrange collection / delivery within the UK

Contact me to buy or for more details.