Anatomy of a Drone -  Bagpipes are available with several different styles of ornamentation.  The projecting mounts, slides, ferrules, ring caps, chanter sole, and mouthpiece are available in different materials.  The most commonly used are imitation ivory, plain wood, nickel, stainless steel, and silver.  Some pipe makers even offer more exotic looks, such as brass, copper, marble, and tortoise shell accents.  While being able to choose from different styles or ornamentation is good, it is important to remember that these decorative pieces have no bearing on the sound.  For instance, a set of Gibson R110s, which are fully mounted imitation ivory, and a set of Gibson R114s (drone pictured here), which are half mounted engraved sterling silver, will produce the same sound, even though the R114s cost about $2,000 more.  Some of the most popular pipe styles are shown below.

A similar “design of sound” is built into each one of a pipemakers models, so once you have decided on a brand of pipes - your choice will simply be determining the look you want and the budget you have established for the pipes. We suggest allowing an additional $150for a case and the accessories you will need to keep the pipes properly maintained.

Fully combed and beaded African Blackwood.  Wood button projecting mounts & bushings, beaded nickel ferrules & ring caps.  Nickel band on mouthpiece. 

McCallum AB1s pictured here

Fully combed and beaded Africa Blackwood.  Fully mounted imitation ivory.

Nail DN3s pictured here

Fully combed and beaded, with imitation ivory projecting mounts; engraved silver slides, ferrules, and ring caps.

Gibson R114s pictured here

Fully combed and beaded, with imitation ivory projecting mounts and ring caps; nickel ferrules.

Shepherd S2s pictured here

Fully combed and beaded, with imitation ivory mounts, ferrules, and ring caps; engraved silver slides.

Shepherd SS6s pictured here

Fully combed and beaded African Blackwood.  Imitation Ivory projecting mounts & bushings, engraved nickel ferrules & ring caps. 

McCallum AB4s pictured here

Fully combed and beaded, with imitation ivory projecting mounts, ferrules, and ring caps; nickel slides.

Fully combed and beaded, with imitation ivory projecting mounts and ring caps; stainless steel slides and ferrules.

Gibson R110SW pictured here

Pipes with silver on them offer the added customization of engraving.  The most popular patterns are Celtic, Thistle, Zoomorphic, and Victorian.