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Step 1
Decide on a budget. Prices can range from $200 to $8,000. Items that affect the price are the maker, pipe construction material and the level of ornamentation. An average price for a first set of pipes is $1,200 to $1,600.
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Step 2
Pick the brand. Ask experienced pipers their opinions about their own pipes. Ask a dealer who sells several brands of pipes which sets have a better tone. Pipe stores are an excellent place to compare several brands side-by-side. Many traditional pipes are made in Scotland, but there are good manufacturers in the U.S. and other parts of the world. Bagpipe purists, however, consider Pakistani pipes of lower quality.
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Step 3
Determine the construction material. Bagpipes are traditionally made of African Blackwood, but other woods are also used. Polypenco plastic, a dense black plastic, is a modern bagpipe material. Listen to pipes of different materials to find a preferred tone.
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Step 4
Pick ornamentation for the pipes. Ornamentation adds beauty and weight to the bagpipes; it also adds to the price. Ornamentation does not affect the tone. Fittings made of metal, such as silver or chrome, and carvings are suitable bagpipe ornamentation.
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Step 5
Choose the right chanter. The default common key might be the best choice unless you're joining a band. If so, match the chanter to the band's key. Chanters are made of either wood or Polypenco plastic. While wood is more traditional, Polypenco chanters can be milled with more precision. If you're joining a band, check if a matched chanter will be issued.
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Step 6
Sample different reeds for both drones and chanters. Most makers will recommend a specific set of reeds which will work best with their pipes and chanters. Be open, however, to other reed choices.
