ABOUT ME

I have been a professional bagpipe maker and researcher for over twenty years. During this time, my pipes have acquired a reputation for their quality of craftsmanship, design and reliability. My pipemaking is based on being a piper myself - all my pipes have either been developed for my own use or in cooperation with other pipers. I am one of The Goodacre Brothers - the English bagpipe trio that for eighteen years has played English dance music in three-part harmony on my pipes. The instruments that we play are developed by me and based on our researches. I am English and have spent all my working life in Scotland, which places me in the fortunate position of being able to research Scottish bagpipes also. I served on the committee of The Lowland and Border Pipers' Society for fourteen years, and was chairman from 2000 to 2003. The Society has been at the forefront of the current Scottish revival of interest in Scottish bellows pipes. My particular interest in this field is measuring and copying the earliest examples of 18th century Scottish smallpipes, Border pipes and Highland pipes. This is currently an exciting time for these researches as more attention is now being given to 17th and 18th century written pipe music. I am constantly refining and developing the design of my pipes, researching, measuring and copying old pipes in Museum collections. Two major international bagpipe museums have comissioned pipes from me. (Morpeth Chantry Museum, England and Museo Internacional De La Gaita, Gijon, Asturius, N. Spain)

<BACK

ABOUT MY PIPES

Out of concern for the world's timber resources, I have decided to use only British woods and I have found that British hardwoods and yew are ideal for pipemaking, giving a good tone and being extremely attractive. Pipes are made from a choice of hardwoods that I have in stock. Most of this wood has been cut up and processed by me - I know where most of the trees have grown, and can sometimes supply a photo of the actual tree. All my wood is air-seasoned for at least three years. Once made, all the wooden parts of my pipes are soaked in linseed oil in a vacuum and pressure impregnation system that I have developed. This gets the oil very deep into the wood, adding stability and resilience and giving it a lovely mellow sheen which darkens over the years.

I pay a lot of attention to the appearance, detail and finish of my pipes. All my pipes are turned by me using hand-held turning tools, allowing me to achieve graceful shapes and an individual character for each pipe.

I never use ivory as I am horrified at the mass slaughter of elephants solely for their tusks. Local boxwood is a very attractive alternative for mounts on pipes, bellows, inlet-valves, etc. All pipes can be made either bellows- or mouth-blown and I offer a choice of colour for bag leather and velvet bag covers.

Smaller details may be very important for you. I enjoy incorporating special features such as horn or silver mounts and ferrules, more elaborate padded bellows, etc.

I use plastic reeds wherever possible. They have a great tone as well as being stable and trouble-free, and are greatly appreciated by beginner and professional alike.

I play every bagpipe that I make for a considerable amount of time, taking great care with the voicing and tuning so that each one leaves my workshop ready to play. For beginners I can supply notes on how to play and maintain the pipes.

I am happy to undertake repairs and alterations to your instruments. Please feel free to discuss with me any idea or requirements you may have to do with the sound, design or type of wood that you would like.

<BACK