McCallum Folk Pipes - Unboxing & Play Test! Blackwood drones with Mopane/Alloy mounts!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ต.ค. 2020
- In today's video, Matt Willis Bagpiper unboxes and and play tests McCallum's Folk Pipes, a shoulder mounted smallpipe. Drones made form African blackwood with mopane/alloy mounts. Chanter has a cane reed! Take a listen at how great these wee little pipes are!
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The whisky tasting was a welcome surprise to go along with my pipe fantasies
That is a kicking tune at the end
A favorite for sure!
Kansas City represent!
From someone that’s been piping for 20 years, but had to take a break to get a few things on track, I wanted to take a moment to say your videos like this have been a pleasure and your intro videos have been excellent refreshers now that I’m getting back into it. I’m also a teacher by profession, I have taught bagpipes in the past (but I mainly teach chemistry). You have a solid method for passing along information. Thank you for your content.
I appreciate that! Cheers!
Thank you for all your help with learning how to get into and play the pipes.
Those drones sound sensational. Great video Matt. Thanks.
Loving that each play test you play hector the hero as i am starting to get my ear in on pipes again and can hear when you start to play. Also that song on small pipes does sound different but amazing.
Thanks Matt currently considering my small/folk pipes options this is a great sounding set
Watching this video just made the thought of going smallpipes more tempting. I like the more mellow sound and the high A doesn’t make me want to back up 5,000 feet lol. Only been practicing for 6 months so not ready yet.
Hmm, playing with a pipe band versus playing indoors for whomever. I like the shoulder style of these as opposed to across the chest as well
Love the sound of those! Thanks a ton for all the content!
Glad you like them!
Very nice! Thanks! Happy holidays! 🌞🎅🏻🎄🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎄
I have a set in all poly and I love them, great fun to play and good sound! Love to play fancy stuff on them and Christmas tunes! McCallum is a great company !
I enjoy the tastings too! Thanks Mat
Glad you found the channel! And yes, I can't wait to play a bunch of Christmas tunes on these. I recently had someone complain about the tastings, so I'm glad there's others that enjoy them!
Do do I and I really enjoy them
Yet again, another great video.
lovely pipes,
very tempting
Cheers
I'd been eyeing them for years. Now regrets in getting them!
@@MattWillisBagpiper “NOW regrets“ ???
LOL typos are traitors
These folk pipes sure look and sound the business! I even had a dram with you when watching the unboxing Matt!
I have a set of Gibsons' in A with a Blackwood chanter/synthetic reed that gives a more mellow tone. Also a poly chanter which is not as accurate note-wise, so I use the b/wood which I prefer anyway. Great for home practice, especially running up to an engagement. I too prefer the over the shoulder playability over bellows.
Excellent as always, your very very talented. Wish i lived near you so i could have lessons to improve.
I teach lessons via Skype! Heck, with the current pandemic, even my local students are meeting with me online. Feel free to end me an email if you want more info on lessons: matt@mattpiper.com
Great video , nice wee pipes, loved the tasting part ,Glenlivet single malt lovely 👍
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video matt
Thanks!
Wow, maybe I should have started on the "Small" pipes. Enjoy the pairing.
Hi Matt I've just placed an order for the blackwood set I should get them before xmas 😁I use to have a ploy set a few years ago and loved them unfortunately I needed to sell them but I can now afford the blackwood set, love watching your videos your very informative and down to earth.
Glad you found the channel! I truly love these folk pipes. One of the best bagpipe purchases I've ever made.
Love the shirt!
Thanks! 🙂😎
You bet!
I really want one now.
Those McCallum folk pipes almost sound like the set of mouth blown small pipes that I have. I have set of Piper's choice traditional mouth-blown small pipes. They're just as awesome as playing the regular great highland bagpipes. I actually started with the practice chanter and went straight on to highland bagpipes, but I decided to order myself a set of mouth blows small pipes, to still have a bagpipe in between my practice chanter, and playing the big set of bagpipes. I do not own my own set of Big Island bagpipes yet, but that is in the near future. However, I am at least happy that I at least have a bagpipe to play. Yes I do play the great highland bagpipes, but I also have a small pipe to play, that way I don't have to be obnoxiously loud, even in an apartment setting.
I am considering at getting a set of folk pipes to use as a practice set to use in my house.
I have the poly version of these; I love them! I wish the chanter had counter-sunk holes, but other than that they work pretty well. I'm going to try a Dunfion poly smallpipes chanter in A and see if that will work with these.
Did you ever try the chanter?
I love how these sound! Would these make for a good indoor/practice set when the family and neighbors would prefer not to hear the Great Highland set, but I would prefer to practice on more than just a practice chanter?
These pipes to indeed work great for exactly that situation. Cheers!
The tape on the box looked very familiar. Henderson’s.... Yippee!!😁
Great bunch of folks there! We're really lucky to have so many great retailers here in the USA.
Woot!
It looks almost like a hybrid between a Great Highland Bagpipe & a Smallpipe
North Texas! Me too. Plano Texas.
Hey, I'm going to buy a set of these. Definitely better than my current set of smallpipes. Personally, I'm starting to dislike the sound of a hunk of plastic in my chanter, so all the more reason. I have a video of the ones I currently have on my channel.
Your channel make me want to empty my bank account completely, man... but I can't look away...
Ha! I swear, this is only the second unboxing that was for me! All the rest were for my students or products sent for review (and then returned)... Glad you found the channel!
Wow. Big box
Indeed! Barely can see me back there.
very beautiful video. I find it fascinating that whiskey is included. Very great sound. Do you have any advice on how I can start again after my broken arm? I hope I don't have to start all over again. keep on going
The whisky wasn't included, just a gift from a good friend and chose to use this moment to celebrate with it. As for the broken arm, you may have to spend some time rebuilding strength, but the coordination should still be there, and in many ways, that's the harder part to learn. Here's to a speedy recovery!
How is the playing pressure compared to the GHB? Curious I had surgery on my sinus cavity and it's a bit painful to play my pipes even 4 months later.
from bagpipe channel to alcohol channel back to a bagpipe channel, very unique.
I need a wee dram of distraction every now and then... :)
And what Matt blows into the bag is lightly fumed...
If needed, you can send the blow stick back directly to McCallum's, they will shorten it for you (At least they did for me on my folk pipes.) so the appearance of the blowstick won't be altered and will still look lovely). (I emailed them first.)
Good to know. I think the 10" will work out great.
Amazing, your timing is perfect I have been looking into buying a set just like that one, but thought may be changing the bag for a hybrid and even may be a smaller one, to match the smaller pipes, what do you think?
Again thank you, your timing is perfect!!!!
There are no options to change the bag, though it does appears to be "tied in" to the grommets of a standard Bannatyne. A hybrid however may be too much for the moisture control to take (hybrid bags are the worst for dealing with moisture).
Henderson Imports says it comes with a medium bag, not full size and they advertise it with a zipper now to get to the moisture control easier. Maybe Matt"s comment about a zipper paid off. In any case if your bent on this set I can relate. The same is available in full sized pipes for another three hundred on Thier site.and both sizes are on back order.
Might have to switch to these from the fireside pipes.
As good as they sound they kinda remind me of the music from the old Robin hood game on the original Nintendo
Hi Matt. I started my piping journey after being given an old set of David Glen Parlour Pipes (miniature pipes). I had a local pipe maker here in Australia restore them and they are beautiful but I’ve never had great results from the chanter which has been reeded with a practice chanter reed. Can you tell me, is the reed in your set a standard size, or custom made for the set?
I'd need to see some photos of the chanter...
Have you found the need to tape the chanter at any point or does movement of the reed correct most tuning issues you've had? Also I haven't gotten mine to "strike" in as the highland pipe does, seems to be too much for the cane reed I have. Thanks
I have tape on two holes for tuning, and you can't really strike in a smallpipes, as all the reeds basically come in at the time time. Starting up smallpipes is always a somewhat awkward thing.
Even better, on the shoulder. Still like the twist trap for seated indoor use maybe. Are these 440 as well?
“This almost makes me look normal-sized people!” Nearly sprayed my beer! Bonus whisky tasting! Slainte!
Yep, still 440. 😋
@@MattWillisBagpiper Thanks Matt. Off down a Lincoln Hilton Twist Trap youtube rabbit hole at the mo. Cheers.
The twist-trap pipes would rest nicely underneath the fiddle or guitar. The McCallum folk pipes would be more of a lead instrument. The guitar and fiddle could certainly still be heard, but the pipes would likely take the focus. For jam sessions, I plan to bring both (since we can't change volume!). Twisties for harmony and support and folk pipes for lead,
Also, the chanter is in the same position on both the twist-trap and McCallum folk pipes. I find both somewhat awkward to sit with and normally stand.
@@MattWillisBagpiper Excellent. That’s really helpful since there are both guitars and fiddles! Useful to know about relative volumes. I think the folk pipes are a good bit more expensive though and I wouldn’t be wanting two sets of practice/indoor pipes as tempting as that is. Plus the Mater will be wanting me to pick up the bodhran occasionally too.... Have to confess I’ve never tried playing pipes seated so that would be novel.
Could a twist trap work with these pipes, to continue my practicing or do I need to purchase a new chanter and blow pipe? Thank you… Love your segments. 👍🏽
Not sure I follow… these pipes come with a chanter, no need to use the twist trap chanter. The twist trap chanter would be too quiet for these drones imo.
Does anyone know how to increase the chanter volume? Mine are super low volume. I tried 2 Shaw reeds. Thank You!
Hi, maybe an alternative to the McCallum 'small pipes'. Price is the same, but what is the difference? Is it just the drone size? I'm still in the process to look for a set and don't know Hardie Twist, McCullum Small or McCallum Folk. Today i use the McCallum goose with a lot of fun.
Believe it or not mccallums is like 15 minutes from my house, it's weird watching you playing them lol.
Lucky! And I have a number of McCallum pipes here. Reelpipes, these folk pipes, a poly P2 GHB set, and soon, a Morrison/McCallum uilleann set (one of these days!)
@@MattWillisBagpiper shit that’s a lot of pipes :-) I’ve got ab0 from mccallum as I’m just starting out. What’s your take on the acetyls as thinking about getting some
Also I’m thinking of changing my pipe chanter to a Blackwood, have you got any videos around plastic vs Blackwood?
Do these use the same chanter reed as other (i.e. lap or bellows-blown) small pipes?
It appears so. A Shaw cane reed, which I’ve seen in Morrison smallpipe chanters.
Great vid! How does the volume compare to twisttrap pipes and the full highland pipes? Am struggling to find a spot to play the latter in London!
Slightly louder than the twist trap pipes. Drastically quieter than highland pipes.
T+
op of the Day!, I have a Folck Pipe of McCallum, I placed a plastic small pipe chanter Reed in the chanter, and when i play the lover notes, it makes whistely an creeky sound while i play... not allways, but very frequently.... I cheked for little air running in different parts of the pipe, and they are not, but the lower notes of the chanter still sound so improvvisably bad while playing, I placed the chanter in very deep, but the problem remains.....
What I must do , to obtain a clean sound?
Great show lad…… I’m just learning how to play the pipes and your show has been a great influence on that but what I really want to know is where do you get the tartin wallpaper… L O L… It does look pretty ,cool anyway…. keep on roc-kin……
It is Ralph Lauren wallpaper and the green Austin tartan (though the wallpaper is not technically tartan, but plaid).
Hey Matt, I'm having a hard time getting my set tuned up and I can't find any literature on the scale or the frequency it is to be tuned. I ended up tuning the drones to high A and it seems acceptable. From what I've read the low A is supposed to be 440, but I'm reading in the 200s. Am I missing something here?
The low A on the Folk Pipes is 220 Hz. Try inputting that.
Good on you Matt. you have confirmed my choice to sell my bellows blown smallpipes and get some McCallum Folk Pipes. They sound and look lovely and i would much rather over the shoulder drones. and how good do those drones sound? again great video and thanks.
I think these drones sound amazing. The dueling tenors (as opposed to have a baritone) creates a lovely "swirl" to the sound.
@@MattWillisBagpiper Watching this again, loving the sound and look of the pipes and the very honest review you have given. Will be putting my money down this week. Quality product and quality video. Subscribed.
Awesome vid, was going to ask you to do one on this set. May God bless me with a set somehow I can leave to !y local Fireman's pipers to help out some kid that wants to learn.
Hi Matt....I am enjoying watching your unboxing...Could you tell me what is the tune that you play at time 13:45?
Ah! That's "The Army Goes Rolling Along", the U.S. Army's anthem
Matt, What tune are you playing at 9:40? Thank you. ;)
Hector the Hero
How loud are these? I'm trying to get a feel for where they can be played? If played with other instruments will the pipes be heard? Will they overpower other instruments? How do they compare to GHB and to a practice chanter?
They are slightly louder than practice chanter, but nowhere near as loud as highland pipes. You could hear these over an acoustic guitar, but would need to be mic'ed to be heard in a pub or similar.
Please feature these in more videos. Did you ever get around to making mini cords for them? You mentioned making some in the video of the new bag cover you got for them.
I have a set on layaway through Henderson's, I can't wait until I get them. I have watched this video so many times now, along with the rest of your videos.
Still have yet to make custom cords… still love the pipes!
They did start including a zipper on the bag cover at some point after you got yours. But they still have the tassels that look huge on a single cord.
what is the tune at 9:42? It sounded like some type of slow air. What is the tune name?
Hector the Hero
Hi Matt. I have a set of drone reeds that have adjustable screws on the bottom...what exactly are these for. I'm from the old cane reed school. Thank you.
They help tune the reeds. The further in the screw is turned, the higher the drone will tune on the pin and vice versa.
@@MattWillisBagpiper I thought that was it but had no idea what to do with them. Thank you so much.
Hey Matt love your videos. Question.. I bought a set of these and I love them. My issue is I can only play with the cane reed for about 20-30 minutes... then it goes way sharp. I'm assuming it's moisture that's causing it. My set has the same setup as yours with moisture control system. I've checked all the connections with the moisture system and moved the bridle on the reed up and down, no change. Just wondering if you've encountered this at all?
Have you removed the desiccant granules and baked them to remove the moisture? At a certain point, the silica (or whatever it is) cannot absorb any more moisture...
@@MattWillisBagpiper I have not, but the issue was there from day one. I suppose I could bake or replace them and see if this helps. Thank you for your response, I was just seeing if anyone else out there had the issue. Doesn't sound like it.
@@fungusmonkey959 Yea, I've had this problem (not with these McCallum's-but similar) so for me I use synthetic chanter reeds ALL-THE-WAY for mouth blown. The moisture/reed issue is something that frustrates and kills enthusiasm. Believe me, I understand that only too well so you are not alone. Remembering also that some of us are more pronounced "wet" blowers than others.
I'd say you're going well even to get 20-30mins with cane. One remedy is to buy two or three sets of moisture systems to replace those getting wet (before the ch. reed is affected) so you can keep playing, and of course, some replacement chanter reeds, but it's all a pain. You have my tea and sympathy!
@@maxwellfan55 Never considered myself a wet blower and i live in a really dry climate. It's a shame cause the cane reed sounds about 20% nicer\sweeter than the plastic. I guess i'll have to plug in a bellows to this rig instead.
Matt, would fill pipes be good for an 11 year old? Seems like a smaller version of regular pipes. Thanks
The only possible issue could be the blowpipe length, as it c omes standard with a 10" blowpipe, which would definitely be too long, and it's not adjustable. I'd contact McCallum directly and see if they could make a shorter blowpipe.
@@MattWillisBagpiper excellent advice. Thank you
I have a plastic set of McCallum folk pipes. Having trouble getting an affordable chanter Reed.. I ordered a reed but it showed up cracked. Frustrating paying $65 for a cracked reed. Mine does have zipper bag.
Did you let them know it arrived cracked? I’d think they’d offer a replacement...
How do these compare to the Piper's Choice Small Pipes?
Haven’t had a chance to play the piper’s choice smallpipes… 😔
Almost sold on this set due to being mostly indoors but wonder how they would stand up to cold or hot temps outside? Also wonder if the drones are standard length, just smaller on diameter? I do worry they may be very fragile . After hearing how poly pipes go out of tune more frequently I'm seriously looking at this set and these are my last questions. You've been great at replies, thanks so much.
I've never played these outside, so I'm not sure how they'd do. They are rather fragile; not that I've broken them, but there are thin and small. They are both shorter and thinner than highland pipes (significantly so).
@@MattWillisBagpiper Thanks Matt
Hello.. Can i know what song that u play at time 11.45? Its sound familiar😁 thankz
That’s “Let Erin Remember”
What is the tune at the end called?
That’s “The Kansas City Hornpipe” composed by Fred Morrison
Matt, the scale is different on this set, how dose one play any tune, can you explain, do they send a explanation with the set?
No, it’s the regular highland bagpipe scale. Just in a concert key (the A is an actual concert A)
are they louder than hardie twist traps?
Yes, a bit. That cane reed had a bigger sound.
Are they harder to blow than smallpipes or require more air like the highland bagpipe?
Same as a smallpipe, just the drones are separated.
@@MattWillisBagpiper where did you pick up the cane drone reeds? Were they purchased as an accessory?
Cane drone reeds? This set comes with Ezeedrone smallpipe drone reeds.
Hey, Matt, where'd you get the T-shirt? It's great!
It was a gift from a friend, so I'm not sure where it was purchased. But it is great (and true in my case)!
@@MattWillisBagpiper Yeah, I like it! I subscribed, btw.
Any problems with moisture?
Nope! The moisture control system does its job great.
Hey Matt compared to the RG Hardie Twist Trap?
Topic of an upcoming video! Pros and cons to both. Set another way, I will keep playing both sets in addition (of course!) to my Highland pipes
I had the Hardie pipes but they are nothing compared to the McCallum folk pipes.
@@MattWillisBagpiper Can't wait! I was about to ask that same question. I wonder how the sound compares to the twist trap because even though I think it's a lovely instrument, I find that the chanter volume is too low compared to the drones.
What is the tune played at 9:30?
That’s “Hector the Hero”
Thank you so much. Your material has been such a great help in my journey to the pipes.
Can you tell us how a Braw Tuner would be used with these
Set the tuner to manually to 220hz and use the tips in this video: th-cam.com/video/D0TjjqKR8T4/w-d-xo.html
@@MattWillisBagpiper thanks Matt!
I LOVE THE BAGPIPES AND I LOVE THE SOUND THEY MAKE THEY TAKE ME BACK TO WHEN MY CLASSMATES IRISH LEVEL LOST HIS LIFE TO A SMOKER THAT MADE ME ANGRY I JUST LOST IT THERE'S A LAW NAMED AFTER HIM CALLED ROBERT EVAN MAKENZIE LAW SMOKERS NOW HAVE TO SMOKE OUTSIDE THEY DON'T LIKE IT
Hi, watching your video made me want to play a legit bagpipe once again :D. I'm an Asian and I have pretty much only been using practice chanter I bought a long time ago which was made in Pakistan.... I'm finally trying to get a formal set of highland bagpipes, but the customs tax for foreign instruments is pretty bad in here... which is pretty sad. So could you recommend me a bagpipe for beginners? I don't care if it has synthetic/ plastic drones, since no one here pretty much doesn't know the difference. I'm looking at $500 range, but will be thinking about affording some more... Do you think it's impossible to meet my expectation..? ; Are the bagpipes that are $500 just made in Pakistan and pretty much unplayable? Thank you!
Hello! Unfortunately, there is nothing playable in the $500 range. A set of McCallum P0's or Hardie RGHP00 after reeds and everything would run about $1000, and those are the least expensive playable bagpipe on the market in my opinion.
Matt Willis Bagpiper Hey! Thanks for replying! And.... well I guess I have a reason saving my money up for now then! :D
@@Lemon-ce1jw Two years on, how did it come out?
If you're still playing this set, how is the cane reed working in a mouth-blown set? That's the thing that would scare me about these.
It’s going great! The moisture control going to the chanter stock does its job well.
@@MattWillisBagpiper Awesome. Thanks for the quick response!
F sounds a bit wonky, no?
A bit flat, mainly from under blowing (though not entirely). It’s coming in as the reed is getting some playing time. 👍
Matt Willis Bagpiper Perhaps reed has opened up a little, which might also explain your perceived louder volume.
Are you originally Canadian, because you don't sound Texan, no offence just curious.
Was born in Mountain View, California. Moved to Texas in 1992 at age 14...
Nice pipes but just jumped $200.00 in price.
I really with all bagpipe covers have zippers
Matt, your videos are extremely beneficial so thank you! Ive been playing Gibson fireside pipes and curious as to what amount of breath/pressure is needed for the folk pipes? Are they quite similar to small pipes or in between SSP and GHP? Thanks for your input.. I'm seriously considering buying a set.
They are basically McCallum's version of the fireside pipes. As much as I do love the folk pipes, if you already own a fireside set, I think they'd feel redundant.
@@MattWillisBagpiper Thank you. I sold my fireside and Ive been exploring other options!