Cheap vs Expensive challenge: Bagpipe edition! - How bad are they?
Ойын-сауық
Cheap vs expensive challenges are nothing new to KZread, 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...
Пікірлер: 261
My daughter loved the pro pipe work, but termed the tourist pipes as "sound of a lawnmower running over a bunch of children."
@WaechterDerNacht
Жыл бұрын
Haha... I was thinking about what that sounded like and definitely could not say it better!
@sherifmourad79
Жыл бұрын
they all sound of a lawnmower running over a bunch of children to me
@CaptHollister
Жыл бұрын
Q: what's the difference between a bagpipe and a lawnmower ? A: you can tune a lawnmower.
@connormeechan5784
Жыл бұрын
🤣🤣🤣🤣ffs
@1958HHH
Жыл бұрын
😂🤣😂🤣😂
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?
@misahohimeima1981
11 ай бұрын
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.
@SpringfieldProductions
9 ай бұрын
pipes can cost a lot more. special handmade ones especially being refurbished can cost thousands.@@misahohimeima1981
@unnamedindividual8783
8 ай бұрын
@@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
@piperian3962
8 ай бұрын
You can pay more for pipes, but $2000 it’s just ornamentation.
@midec7699
8 ай бұрын
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 have to be honest that I wasn't expecting to see Mike play a bagpipe when I sat down at the computer.
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.
As a Scotsman and musician, I love this…but even I can say this video is probably the MOST niche comparison review ever
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
It's honestly surprising that you can even buy such an instrument for just £65
@ericfeldkamp3788
Жыл бұрын
And the best for 2k ... that's nuts.
@alexjoke9141
Жыл бұрын
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
@Paradoxical124
Жыл бұрын
But it’s the most horrible noise known to man…
@dave928
Жыл бұрын
they're just for someone to hang above the mantle and tell their friends "look what i bought in Scotland"
@philash824
Жыл бұрын
@@dave928 yeah I don’t think they were ever meant to be played
Aye, but how do they compare to the most precious wind-bag of all - James May? His droning is quite formidable.
@bytesback.
Жыл бұрын
But lets not talk about his blow pipe.
Alright, now let's see what secret talents the rest of the team have been keeping under wraps!
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.
@johncrain4591
Жыл бұрын
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.
Didn't know Mike was a musician! That's awesome!!!
This was fascinating. The Kilberry sound so different- much more musical. Did you ever find the leak in the bag? Great video. Play on!
Even with tou skills, the cheap pipes just took me back to the friends episode 😂
Oh, your guy playing his brand of pipes sound amazing and clean. Beautiful.
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!
I have traditionally hated the sounds of bagpipes, but you have given me an appreciation of their quality. Thanks so much!
@joempoem478
Жыл бұрын
You Heretic!
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.
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. 😂
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
What a brilliant video. I absolutely loved it!it brought a big smile to my face.
I honestly didn'r know that I needed to watch this. Thanks!!
LOVE the bagpipes. The Swedish national intrument is the Nyckelharpa (Key-harp). Would be cool to hear a duo of these two national icons.
@coolhand1983
Жыл бұрын
look for "Anna Rynefors and Erik Ask-Upmark". It is indeed a fantastic combo
@sbondesson
Жыл бұрын
@@coolhand1983 Thank you! Sounds even more beautiful than I had imagined...
I think those £65 bagpipes are a souvenir which should really be used for decoration only.
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
When you started playing the cheapo version I lost it 🤣🤣🤣 It sounds like you were strangling a bunch of cats!
This video should have come with a helpline number for those traumatised by the contents 🤣
Haha tassels, what piper calls cords tassels 🤣
❤ Thanks to your granddad. That‘s been hilarious. 🎉 Made my day.
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.
@billmartins5545
Жыл бұрын
Exactly. Many other instruments are much more expensive to get a top of the line one.
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.
Great stuff, loving it 👍👌
Bagpipes: for those occasions when an accordion or kazoo are not obnoxious enough!
From a channel that usually bring you car based content. "Want to see how cheap vs expensive bagpipes compare?" Me: say less
LOVED THIS!
Ok Mike, it’s time for a “Pipe Tribe” channel!!!
Ruari is such a nice guy! Kilberry's is more than worth it :)
Ugh, hearing the din from the cheaper pipes tells me they're probably decorative rather than an instrument.
Quote from another review: "It looks good above the fireplace, or even better in the fireplace"
That was mighty interesting !
The definition of a gentleman, someone who can play the bagpipes but dosn't.
I love the sound of the pipes but those cheap ones sounded like a bag of feral cats being murderd
I've been considering learning the bag pipes
Sweet music to my ears, greetings from Wyoming, USA.
👏👏👏 ❤️ PRODUCTION TEAM 🙏 HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY EVERYONE ✌️
In German we call them things "Dudelsack". It literally means what you read it as.
@craftywitch4431
Жыл бұрын
Please dont be offended, but 'dudelsack' sounds like one of those English, slightly amusing mild insults 😄
I love it!!
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.
@nonnayerbusiness7704
6 ай бұрын
It is not surprising that you didn't have to replace the rest. Thanks to the Americans, the Pakastanis would know about drones.
How mike expensed a trip home 😂
The £65 bagpipes are more of a decorative piece than an actual instrument.
@chrisaris8756
Жыл бұрын
Yes. Mind you having owned a similar set when seem close up they are not even that nice looking - especially that hideous bag cover!
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.
Well, if I needed something to spawn Nessie and Cthulhu together... can't go wrong with a 65 pound set of pipes lol 😂
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.
Great video, all you need is May on his piano and Hammond with his bass
@TheRivieraKid
Жыл бұрын
And Clarkson on the drums.
@richardharrold9736
Жыл бұрын
@@TheRivieraKid nah, Clarkson only ever bought those to show off and counter feelings of inadequacy. The other two are actually musicians.
@gewglesux
Жыл бұрын
@@richardharrold9736 The little Brummie is actually a decent Bassist
@richardharrold9736
Жыл бұрын
@@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...
@gewglesux
Жыл бұрын
@@richardharrold9736 i'd like to see that also!! Our little Brummie. providing the low end..
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.
Cheap ones sound like cats, calves and a swarm of bees having a go at each other.
Outstanding!
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.
That was great!
Wow that guy can really play. Amazing.
Wow wow wow... That was incredible. He sounded incredible on his own pipes. Wow
People say bagpipes sound terrible but when you hear bagpipes in an old war movie it sounds epic
Every time I hear bag pipes I think of my mom. They were her favourite 🎶
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.
Love it! That was super interesting, and that tune he was playing to close the video was amazing!
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.....
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.
I.had the sudden urge to look up cheap vs expensive bagpipes, i like what i found
"you know the song! sing along!"
My sympathies for the neighbors of anyone who tries playing on those things
2k for the best bagpipes sounds like a bargain coming from the world of violins and cellos.
@craftywitch4431
Жыл бұрын
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!
Do this with cheese!
@Weedguy6080
Жыл бұрын
Cheese served by James May.
@Bevity
Жыл бұрын
I didn't realize I was tapping my foot until I saw the foot tapping onscreen.
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 😳
You could use them as a fire alarm. People would leave faster than a pulling a fire alarm...
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.
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.
@mediaistheenemy
4 ай бұрын
I feel like they could've tuned the cheap pair more than they did
I was shocked to see that the chanter (finger hole part) can be removed and becomes a snake charmer flute.
@thekitowl
Жыл бұрын
I have one of those flutes & that’s exactly what they sound like.
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 :)
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??
Next Mike should try Highland drumming!
its a shame who ever engineered the cheap pipes didnt know what they were doing.
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.
@dubious6718
Жыл бұрын
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.
Wow what a difference. The cheap one even after being looked at still sound so off and almost like they're shrieking or screeching.
great episode
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.
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
The cheap pipes sounded like a cat stuck inside a hoover.
Awesome video 👍
Gotta say, at least the cheap ones are funny AND cheap. Both make me want to rummage around in my ears with a fork.
I agree; they are miserable, but I never saw either player tune the drones before starting to play. One should never purchase a set of pipes, even a practice chanter anywhere but from Scotland, if they want to preserve their investment. If they wish something above their heart, then these would be a perfect decorative item.
I'm Scottish and genuinely proud of it, but I can't stand the bagpipes. The wife insisted we had them played at our wedding. They give me a migraine. High pitched awfulness. 🤷🏻♂️😂.
Go Ruari!!!!!!
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.
As a piper, it feels like with a reed that was a bit harder and tuning the drones a bit more you could make these relatively passable, at least for someone transitioning from a cheater to a full set of pipes. An $80 set of pipes isn't much more than a practice chanter.
@user-hc2md8tp5g
4 ай бұрын
Yes I think with low cost replacement reeds (synthetic drones) and a fair bit of attention to hemping and tuning they could be passable...
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.
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.
@dubious6718
Жыл бұрын
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.
@marioguidotomasone1265
8 ай бұрын
For the same money (50/70£) you can buy a practice chanter and do proper testing. Proper. Testing.