Sold: Shaw 10k NSP (concert G)

This set is now sold.

Here’s a concert pitch set of Northumbrian Smallpipes made by Dave Shaw. Chanter & drones are Lignum Vitae, metalwork is brass. It’s a 10 keyed chanter with the standard 7 + F naturals and a middle B flat key; four drones with tuning beads and standard Shaw stoppers. The original rubberised bag has been replaced with leather – bellows are all original. The belt & bellows outlet as fitted are intended for a smaller person but these are easily changed. Fully reeded, full playing condition – soft case carrying case.

Fully reeded & in full playing condition – I’ve been playing this set for the last year or so having snapped my main ‘G’ chanter! I’ll have this set at ECMW (end of June) and at Rothbury Traditional Music Festival (mid July) amongst other places.

Price: £950 + delivery

Location: West Northumberland – and occasionally elsewhere

Contact me to buy or for more details.

SOLD: Fred Morrison SSP A+D Combo (Reduced)

no longer available – pipes have been sold

Here’s a set of Scottish Smallpipes for sale that came along with a set of NSP I am sorting out. It’s a Fred Morrison combination set in A & D (very useful) – bellows blown, blackwood, plain mounting, fully reeded (Ezee drones I think).

What you get with this combination set is:

  • Drones & chanter – key of D
  • Drones & chanter – key of A
  • Leather Bag with interchangeable stocks (blue velvet cover)
  • Bellows + Case

The drones and chanters are rock steady and the whole thing has hardly been played at all. There are no signs of wear, no taping and no modification; both chanters are clearly stamped. I can’t say they’re ‘as new’ because I don’t know the history but they look as close it as any set I’ve ever seen.

Price: £1050 + delivery (~2/3 of new list price)

Location: Northumberland & occasionally elsewhere (ask!)

Contact me to buy or for more details

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

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.

Sold: Burleigh 7k NSP (F+)

no longer available – pipes have been sold

Here’s a set of Northumbrian Smallpipes for sale, overall it’s a great ‘standard’ starter set in full working order. The set was made by David Burleigh (now retired) and is #2386 which I think puts in the late 1990’s. It’s a 7 key, traditional pitch instrument (F+) with four drones and single tuning bead on the big G drone. The chanter has been fettled (re-reeded & tuned) and a new Boyce bag fitted with an interchangeable stock. The original green velvet cover is still on – it’s a little short on the neck.

Set is in full working order, complete with reeded chanter, drones, bellows & case.

Price: £650 incl UK delivery

Location: Northumberland & occasionally elsewhere (ask!) – I’ll have the set at the Morpeth Gathering if anyone wants to see it or I could bring it along to a piper’s meeting.

Contact me to buy or for more details.