Cheap vs Expensive challenge: Bagpipe edition! - How bad are they?
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- Опубликовано: 3 мар 2023
- Cheap vs expensive challenges are nothing new to RUclips, but how about in the world of highland bagpipes? Mike goes for a shopping trip in the centre of Edinburgh to buy the cheapest set possible from a tourist shop, and then brings them to artisan bagpipe maker Kilberry Bagpipes to see if they even remotely compare.
Check out Kilberry Bagpipes on instagram here: kilberrybagpipe... 
Развлечения
My daughter loved the pro pipe work, but termed the tourist pipes as "sound of a lawnmower running over a bunch of children."
Haha... I was thinking about what that sounded like and definitely could not say it better!
they all sound of a lawnmower running over a bunch of children to me
Q: what's the difference between a bagpipe and a lawnmower ?
A: you can tune a lawnmower.
🤣🤣🤣🤣ffs
😂🤣😂🤣😂
1. just when you thought Mike couldn't get any more Scottish
2 . I love the bagpipes
3. As a violinist who is aware that violins can cost thousands -or even tens of thousands- I was shocked that top grade bagpipes are only $2000?
It's genuinely astonishing the difference in prices compared to some instruments, I'm lucky that I inherited a wonderful Loree Oboe now valued around 8000 dollars near the top line but even the cheapest "decent" oboes are around 1000 or 2000 dollars, I understand they are fundamentally more complex instruments however unless you're paying more than 5 or 6 thousand dollars then it's guaranteed to be a mass made mess.
2000 dollars for a set of bagpipes as well made as that seems so weird when compared to other instruments.
pipes can cost a lot more. special handmade ones especially being refurbished can cost thousands.@@misahohimeima1981
@@misahohimeima1981an oboe is fundamentally more complex than a bagpipe?
Edit: I thought you meant the playing of as opposed to the construction and I see that now lol
You can pay more for pipes, but $2000 it’s just ornamentation.
Its not. Kilberry are only one of many many other professional pipe makers. Notice how he always had to say that they were last in specifically Edinburgh, which it just one city (albeit the capitol) in Scotland. For example, a top pair of Peter Hendersons pipes easily cost $14 000 depending on the price of silver at the time.
When I was at college, every lunchtime a senior student would practice his irish pipes in an unused 7 storey stairwell. You could hear it throughout the entire building. They sounded GREAT !!
I love how emphasized it is. Not just the most expensive, but the best bagpipes. A lot of people buy the most expensive but it doesn't necessarily mean its the best built
I have to be honest that I wasn't expecting to see Mike play a bagpipe when I sat down at the computer.
As a Scotsman and musician, I love this…but even I can say this video is probably the MOST niche comparison review ever
Gods above, those cheap pipes sounded like what non-Scots say bagpipes sound like, strangling a bag of cats! The handmade ones however...beautiful. The sound from them is so pure, and the intricate note changes shine thru so clearly. Before I was able to track anything about my family history thanks to both myself and my mother being adopted, the first clue I had was an almost bone deep love of the sound of bagpipes even as a child before I knew what instrument they were. Albannach is my "go to" band for introducing people to what properly played bagpipes sound like, pure primal drums and pipes to fire up the soul.
Aye, but how do they compare to the most precious wind-bag of all - James May? His droning is quite formidable.
But lets not talk about his blow pipe.
It's honestly surprising that you can even buy such an instrument for just £65
And the best for 2k ... that's nuts.
Not really. I mean it doesn't sound even okay-ish after an artisan spent hour tweaking it. I don't think it qualifies as an instrument
But it’s the most horrible noise known to man…
they're just for someone to hang above the mantle and tell their friends "look what i bought in Scotland"
@@dave928 yeah I don’t think they were ever meant to be played
I'm of the opinion that not enough songs have bagpipe solos.
One of the coolest things I've ever witnessed was at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo when it was in Sydney; bagpipes and electric guitar dueling the opening of It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll). The piper was on top of the castle and everything.
I agree! The best part of any bagpipe song or solo is when it ends. The pure joy I feel. I can't describe it.
This was fascinating. The Kilberry sound so different- much more musical. Did you ever find the leak in the bag? Great video. Play on!
Didn't know Mike was a musician! That's awesome!!!
Alright, now let's see what secret talents the rest of the team have been keeping under wraps!
Even with tou skills, the cheap pipes just took me back to the friends episode 😂
Just came home from an evening playing some dance tunes on my swedish bagpipes (with people dancing) and here's an unexpected video out from one if my favourite channels about scottish pipes. Perfect timing!
Cheers from Sweden!
Oh, your guy playing his brand of pipes sound amazing and clean. Beautiful.
I have traditionally hated the sounds of bagpipes, but you have given me an appreciation of their quality. Thanks so much!
You Heretic!
Legitimately you can actually play that's insane i had expected this to be torture to my ears.....well maybe the cheap one but mate top marks you legend. I wanna see more random Scottish videos on here
I think the tourist shop one is at best a display item you keep high up on a wall. Like a fancy sword that you would buy at a similar price.
What a brilliant video. I absolutely loved it!it brought a big smile to my face.
I think those ￡65 bagpipes are a souvenir which should really be used for decoration only.
I must admit that I’ve never been a fan of the bagpipes, but this ‘all you need to know but were afraid to ask’ film was really interesting. I’m amazed that a top spec set can be had for just £2k though.
Exactly. Many other instruments are much more expensive to get a top of the line one.
LOVE the bagpipes. The Swedish national intrument is the Nyckelharpa (Key-harp). Would be cool to hear a duo of these two national icons.
look for "Anna Rynefors and Erik Ask-Upmark". It is indeed a fantastic combo
@@coolhand1983 Thank you! Sounds even more beautiful than I had imagined...
Nice to see you back on your home turf Mike 👍
As someone who played in a pipe band in the past, this is a very cool video to see
I honestly didn'r know that I needed to watch this.
Thanks!!
As a Student, I did. not have the cash to buy a proper pipe and started learning the pipes on these. I literally thought, I was just not smart enough. Seeing these guys experience exactly the same issues, I do feel a slight relief. But given my family’s sensitive ears and the level of aggression my kids can unfold towards unpleasant tunes, counting in my absolute lack of musicality, I will not try again. Ever. 😂
When you started playing the cheapo version I lost it 🤣🤣🤣 It sounds like you were strangling a bunch of cats!
Great stuff, loving it 👍👌
Thanks Mike . I laughed so hard through this vid and I needed a laugh .
Those cheap pipes may be Welsh and that's why there's a leek in the bag.
❤ Thanks to your granddad. That‘s been hilarious. 🎉 Made my day.
Ok Mike, it’s time for a “Pipe Tribe” channel!!!
This video should have come with a helpline number for those traumatised by the contents 🤣
That was mighty interesting !
Ruari is such a nice guy! Kilberry's is more than worth it :)
LOVED THIS!
Bagpipes: for those occasions when an accordion or kazoo are not obnoxious enough!
Ugh, hearing the din from the cheaper pipes tells me they're probably decorative rather than an instrument.
I love it!!
In German we call them things "Dudelsack". It literally means what you read it as.
Please dont be offended, but 'dudelsack' sounds like one of those English, slightly amusing mild insults 😄
Quote from another review: "It looks good above the fireplace, or even better in the fireplace"
Sweet music to my ears, greetings from Wyoming, USA.
Okay… I play a set of duncan Macrae Sl4s’ and I gotta say, you have to appreciate the sound of quality bagpipes. Seriously, If you’re gonna buy a bagpipe buy something at $1200 minimum, because everything below that is a little bit so-so or literally like listening to someone using a lawnmower as an instrument.
I was given a Pakistani made Irish flute and it was so hard to play for a beginner! I swaped it for a basic maker-made flute and it was massive difference, I wasn't as bád as I thought, it was the flute. Definitely worth investing into the instrument you'll enjoy playing.
From a channel that usually bring you car based content.
"Want to see how cheap vs expensive bagpipes compare?"
Me: say less
I love the sound of the pipes but those cheap ones sounded like a bag of feral cats being murderd
As a woodworker, I know that a TON of that expense is the "African Blackwood"...it's half again as costly as Ebony which can be $100 /sq.ft. and it's like working with aluminum for hardness and wear on tools. HONESTLY, considering a bassoon can easily run $30,000 U.S., a few thousand pounds is next to nothing for what that luthier is creating and the history he is preserving.
Outstanding!
Do this with cheese!
Cheese served by James May.
I didn't realize I was tapping my foot until I saw the foot tapping onscreen.
That was great!
👏👏👏 ❤️ PRODUCTION TEAM 🙏 HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY EVERYONE ✌️
I.had the sudden urge to look up cheap vs expensive bagpipes, i like what i found
I've been considering learning the bag pipes
Referred to in uilleann pipe circles as PSO (pipe shaped objects). Although a full uilleann set from a reputable maker start around double the GHB pro set 😳
I play a bunch of instruments so I was looking into buying a 65$ bagpipe cause I only want to play a few songs and I may not play it alot, but that sound is brutal hahaha
thanks :)
The definition of a gentleman, someone who can play the bagpipes but dosn't.
As a guitarist 2 grand for handmade top end kit makes me envious. High end guitars tend to start way higher than that 😅 PRS Custom 24's start at around 3 and half...... and then add in amps etc.....
How mike expensed a trip home 😂
its a shame who ever engineered the cheap pipes didnt know what they were doing.
Haha tassels, what piper calls cords tassels 🤣
Wow that guy can really play. Amazing.
Thank you for this demonstration. I play the fiddle (guess my name gives that away) & equally a cheap violin is painful to play (especially a beginner) & painful on the ears, however many low priced instruments can be set up to actually be quite playable & sound OK.
Since I had been interested in playing Scottish fiddle & Scottish Country Dancing etc., I thought I'd buy a set of bagpipes made out of rosewood & yes, they leaked like a sieve. I haven't hung them up on a wall yet. 😉 I have great respect for pipers.
I feel like they could've tuned the cheap pair more than they did
I think the cheap bagpipes are for testing one’s resolve and passion for really learning how to play them… When are you going to do a video on other types of pipes, such as the Irish or Northumbrian pipes? A video on pipe band drumming wouldn’t be bad either.
The cheap bagpipe is the reason people stop playing them.
From the sound of them, they are best suited to hang on the wall, to never be played.
For the same money (50/70£) you can buy a practice chanter and do proper testing.
Proper. Testing.
Please do a deep dive video of how these are made! Non of that fast forward montage nonsense. Something similar to The Reassembler, I think you may know that bloke and his crew.
i have a feeling the £65 ones are the ones you give your kid to see if it’s really something they want to dedicate their time and money into learning. Granted even for £65 the pieces shouldn’t be put in backwards. That’s just sad.
Clearly made and put together by someone that doesn't play bagpipes.
and its the type you give to your kid to make sure they wont play bagpipes.
I was shocked to see that the chanter (finger hole part) can be removed and becomes a snake charmer flute.
I have one of those flutes & that’s exactly what they sound like.
Every time I hear bag pipes I think of my mom. They were her favourite 🎶
The underlying drone (I don't know what it's called) is way too loud on the cheap one. It sounds like a car horn. Love the way the expensive one sounds.
Actually.... I have a set of sheesham wood pipes that actually sound very nice. I have them set up with an old Warnock plastic chanter, and I have the drones set up with balance tone high resonance drone reeds. I will state that the Bass drone WILL NOT tune well with standard drone settings, but the tenors tune perfectly. The bag is made of a material called rexine and it does not breath very well at all and the pipes are "watered" out after about 2 hours of playing. I have also been able to set up "wall hanger" small pipes soprano and bass ones. I've had fun playing my pipes over the years .... and I have also faced a ton of criticism for setting up "alternate versions" of bag pipes. The important thing is.... if you can make them work and you have a willing audience, go out and have fun. And um... well .... I probably have more sets of pipes than a piper should be allowed. LOL.
Great video, all you need is May on his piano and Hammond with his bass
And Clarkson on the drums.
@@TheRivieraKid nah, Clarkson only ever bought those to show off and counter feelings of inadequacy. The other two are actually musicians.
@@richardharrold9736 The little Brummie is actually a decent Bassist
@@gewglesux yeah, I did get that impression from what little he's ever let us see. I'd like to see him get into a jamming band just to see what he's capable of...
@@richardharrold9736 i'd like to see that also!! Our little Brummie. providing the low end..
great episode
I have to learn to play my dads pipes....
He played for the Canadian forces in the 60s and his uncle bought him what were at the time very expensive pipes.
Next Mike should try Highland drumming!
Well, if I needed something to spawn Nessie and Cthulhu together... can't go wrong with a 65 pound set of pipes lol 😂
I can’t play a note, but even to my ear it was blatantly obvious which were the pukka pipes. Such a great sound when played well though, real hair raising stuff
Awesome video 👍
Let’s be honest. The cheap one they sell at a tourist shop is probably targeted at people who don’t know how to play a bagpipe. So all they need to do is look like a bagpipe and make a vaguely bagpipe-ish noise. I’m pretty sure there are mass produced modern bagpipe that actually works at a reasonable price tag.
The £65 bagpipes are more of a decorative piece than an actual instrument.
Yes. Mind you having owned a similar set when seem close up they are not even that nice looking - especially that hideous bag cover!
2k for the best bagpipes sounds like a bargain coming from the world of violins and cellos.
I agree. My friend is a professional harpist, you can imagine the costs of even a service, never mind buying one! £2000 for a handmade instrument sounds like an unbelievable bargain!
Clan Gray appproves!
Love it! That was super interesting, and that tune he was playing to close the video was amazing!
"you know the song! sing along!"
The cheap one just sounds like a dying sheep. Hilarious
listening to pipes in a video is great, but in an enclosed room or small hall (i heard a set played in the Church of St Cuthbert, Edinburgh) they are unbelievably LOUD.
You could use them as a fire alarm. People would leave faster than a pulling a fire alarm...
Go Ruari!!!!!!
When I purchased my Pipes from McCallum, my wife was shocked at the cost. She said to me, but they are only $175 on Amazon! I pointed out to her that they were trash and unplayable!
Cheap ones sound like cats, calves and a swarm of bees having a go at each other.
Hats off to you bro
Next up in the Scottish Cheap vs Expensive Challenges:
-Haggis
-Whisky
-Cullen Skink
And we find the answer the age old question: what flavour actually even IS Irn Bru??
People say bagpipes sound terrible but when you hear bagpipes in an old war movie it sounds epic
Wow what a difference. The cheap one even after being looked at still sound so off and almost like they're shrieking or screeching.
Gotta say, at least the cheap ones are funny AND cheap. Both make me want to rummage around in my ears with a fork.
MORE PIPES!!!
On the 2K set, why is it that the high B still sounds so flat relative the drones? It seems like the pitches with the most issues are the ones within the overtone series, so is it somehow due to the chanter just having holes instead of keys? But even if that's the case, I'd expect the harmonic fifth to be in tune. Can someone help me out with that?
High B? I’m guessing you mean High A.
Yes
@@davidmacdonald3401 Well, I don't know what note the drone is supposed to be playing, but the high note is clearly flat and on my tuner and synth it sounded closest to a "B". But regardless, I don't know a thing about bagpipes. I'm just curious about the intonation in the upper register.
@@porthose2002 bagpipes aren't concert pitch, in bagpipes (older ones mind) that are tuned to concert pitch we still consider our A root note as concert pitch Bb
@@irishakita Thanks for replaying. At least now I know what the note is. I didn't mean to confuse anyone. I just don't know a thing about the instrument. What about the intonation that I noted? It seems most likely that what I'm hearing is an artifact of the way the instrument is constructed. Trumpets, for instance, by virtue of having pipes for each valve have first and third finger slides that the player can manipulate to compensate for the cases where the use of the associated valve would cause the pitch to be sharp. Is there something about the bagpipe's construction that causes the high A/Bb to be flat relative to the root and fifth of the drone that are otherwise in tune with each other?
My first set of pipes were a cheap set from Pakistan. We got them working okay but had to change out the bag, reeds and chanter.
It is not surprising that you didn't have to replace the rest. Thanks to the Americans, the Pakastanis would know about drones.
I think, if the drones were tuned to the chanter, as I think they could have been, then they could have sounded ok, as the chanter reed was ok. They'ed be crazy to say they could be used ok as they have £2000 pipes to sell and would go out of business.
Very cool 😎 👌
The sound of my area from June to August z👌