Who does good repair work?

The following table is an attempt to collect the names of those who know how to repair/restore a bagpipe.  The comments are my OPINION.

Please let me know about others.

Words from the wizened...(Been there and done that!)

  1. Always start with the maker of your pipes.  They are familiar with them, should have original (matching) parts and may be willing to repair/replace parts for modest fees.
  2. Bagpipe manufacturers make their income mostly from production/sales of new sets.  Repairs get done only after production needs are met. 
  3. Bagpipe vendors will probably sub-contract or send your pipes elsewhere for repairs.  Read #2 again.
  4. While It is unlikely that any of the parties involved can tell what a repair will cost or how long it will take over the phone,  they should be be able to give you "quote by" date.  (I've spent up to four months waiting to get a set of pipes back!)
  5. Be sure to specify that all dimensions are to be kept true to the original. (Dimensional changes will change pitch and/or timbre.) 
  6. Changing the finish on the inside (i.e., polishing bores) can affect pitch and timbre - If that's what you want, do it!
  7. Insist upon concentricity in all repairs.  Many unstable pipes are because the bores are not perfectly concentric.
  8. Insist upon the highest quality workmanship that the individual can do.
  9. Send only the necessary bits and be sure to get all the original bits back.  (I'm still waiting on a set of drone cords!)
  10. Ship overnight in the winter to avoid temperature issues.
People Contact Info Company Name Comments

Bagpipe Manufacturers

Peter Crisler 210 South Madison Ave. Middletown, KY 40243-1360 daytime 502-245-2407 Peter's Pipes  
Mark Cushing  Info@cushingbagpipe.com
106 Hubbell Drive
Ithaca,NY 14850 USA

[607]273-0963
[Mon-Sat 8AM to 6PM EST]

 

Cushing Bagpipe Company

Repair Work

 
Dave Atherton, Charlie Kron
145 Palisade Ave.
Dobbs Ferry, New York 10522

(914) 693-7655

C.E. Kron Bagpipes Experience with many different kinds of pipes especially upper end. Proven experience with world-class players.  Broad range of woods and mounts.  Has access to ivory. Very knowledgeable. Not fast. Association with Robertson.
P/M David (a.k.a "Blue") MacMurchie Unit 47E, West End
West Calder 
West Lothian, Scotland,
(01506) 872333
MacMurchie Bagpipe Makers  
Roddy MacLellan 72-B Park Ave,
Lakewood,N.J. 08701,

(732) 364-6464

MacLellan Bagpipes Works in blackwood, cocobolo, satin wood, ivory and silver.  Original designs in silver.
Scott Morton 71 Jeffcoat Drive Etobicoke Ontario, Canada M9W 3B9

 (416) 742-8149

Morton Bagpipes  
Rick Pettigrew 113 Cushman Road
Unit #64 St Catharines
Ontario, Canada L2M 6S9

(905) 646-2388

J Dunbar Bagpipe Maker Ltd Capable of recreating in blackwood and polypenco. Association with Peter Henderson through Jack Dunbar, who started this business.  Rick is carrying on the tradition.
Greig, Drew or Stephen Sharp 113 Barrack Street
Glasgow G4 0UE, SCOTLAND

+44 (0) 141 553 0902

Kintail Bagpipe Company  
Cameron Wylie 14005 20th Pl W
Lynnwood, WA 98037

425-743-1549

The Bagpipe Clinic Camerion is a skilled engineer by trade and has been manufacturing custom Bagpipes for many years (30 plus) His specialty is African Blackwood Chanters and Delrin Chanters. He has a complete repair service with specialization in Bore Superfinishing. The process produces a mirror finish in the bores for an unmatched drone tone.   (I've had a great experience with Cameron in which he refurbished an older set using Vulcanite and brass sleeves to take care of years of wear and tear and created beautiful Corian mounts.  The final superfinished bores were outstanding.) 

Bagpipe Vendors

Iain Sherwood 87 Dutton Ave. San Leandro, Ca. 94577 USA 510-569-1689 Cuillin Craft  
Lynne Miller By appointment only:
639 Mangels Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94127
Phone or FAX: 415-452-4220
House of Bagpipes  
       

Knowledgeable Individuals

Ron Bowen   The Bagpipe Place "The Guru of Maintenance". Author of book on subject. Lots of experience with pipes and bands.  Close ties with Dunbar.  Does refinishing and reconditioning.  Restores "classic" sets.
Lindsay Kirkwood Hardwood Grove
St Catharines, Ont.
Canada L2P 1K3

905-988-9473

Kirkpipe Services Lots of experience.  Does refinishing and reconditioning.

Lindsay Kirkwood was the proprietor and has passed on. 

I don't know who is carrying on the business. The link is no longer functional. If you know about this business, please contact me.

Unconfirmed Resources

John Keys 619-631-8465    
       
       
       
       
       
       
Copyright S.K. MacLeod 1996-2008