Cheap vs Expensive challenge: Bagpipe edition! - How bad are they?

Cheap vs expensive challenges are nothing new to KZbin, but how about in the world of highland bagpipes? Mike goes for a shopping trip in the centre of Edinburgh to buy the cheapest set possible from a tourist shop, and then brings them to artisan bagpipe maker Kilberry Bagpipes to see if they even remotely compare.
Check out Kilberry Bagpipes on instagram here: ...

[@bigbagofhate]

My daughter loved the pro pipe work, but termed the tourist pipes as "sound of a lawnmower running over a bunch of children."

[@WaechterDerNacht]

Haha... I was thinking about what that sounded like and definitely could not say it better!

[@sherifmourad79]

they all sound of a lawnmower running over a bunch of children to me

[@CaptHollister]

Q: what's the difference between a bagpipe and a lawnmower ? A: you can tune a lawnmower.

[@connormeechan5784]

🤣🤣🤣🤣ffs

[@1958HHH]

😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@caryeddy6928]

1. just when you thought Mike couldn't get any more Scottish 2 . I love the bagpipes 3. As a violinist who is aware that violins can cost thousands -or even tens of thousands- I was shocked that top grade bagpipes are only $2000?

[@misahohimeima1981]

It's genuinely astonishing the difference in prices compared to some instruments, I'm lucky that I inherited a wonderful Loree Oboe now valued around 8000 dollars near the top line but even the cheapest "decent" oboes are around 1000 or 2000 dollars, I understand they are fundamentally more complex instruments however unless you're paying more than 5 or 6 thousand dollars then it's guaranteed to be a mass made mess. 2000 dollars for a set of bagpipes as well made as that seems so weird when compared to other instruments.

[@SpringfieldProductions]

pipes can cost a lot more. special handmade ones especially being refurbished can cost thousands.@@misahohimeima1981

[@unnamedindividual8783]

@@misahohimeima1981an oboe is fundamentally more complex than a bagpipe? Edit: I thought you meant the playing of as opposed to the construction and I see that now lol

[@piperian3962]

You can pay more for pipes, but $2000 it’s just ornamentation.

[@midec7699]

Its not. Kilberry are only one of many many other professional pipe makers. Notice how he always had to say that they were last in specifically Edinburgh, which it just one city (albeit the capitol) in Scotland. For example, a top pair of Peter Hendersons pipes easily cost $14 000 depending on the price of silver at the time.

[@nomusician4737]

I have to be honest that I wasn't expecting to see Mike play a bagpipe when I sat down at the computer.

[@burnzy3210]

It's honestly surprising that you can even buy such an instrument for just £65

[@ericfeldkamp3788]

And the best for 2k ... that's nuts.

[@alexjoke9141]

Not really. I mean it doesn't sound even okay-ish after an artisan spent hour tweaking it. I don't think it qualifies as an instrument

[@Paradoxical124]

But it’s the most horrible noise known to man…

[@dave928]

they're just for someone to hang above the mantle and tell their friends "look what i bought in Scotland"

[@philash824]

@@dave928 yeah I don’t think they were ever meant to be played

[@queeg6473]

When I was at college, every lunchtime a senior student would practice his irish pipes in an unused 7 storey stairwell. You could hear it throughout the entire building. They sounded GREAT !!

[@andrewweir9151]

As a Scotsman and musician, I love this…but even I can say this video is probably the MOST niche comparison review ever

[@ten060]

Aye, but how do they compare to the most precious wind-bag of all - James May? His droning is quite formidable.

[@bytesback.]

But lets not talk about his blow pipe.

[@Suppagappa]

⁠@@bytesback.No, let’s not.

[@oversteer_9339]

I love how emphasized it is. Not just the most expensive, but the best bagpipes. A lot of people buy the most expensive but it doesn't necessarily mean its the best built

[@SaxonSuccess]

Those cheap pipes may be Welsh and that's why there's a leek in the bag.

[@eloquentsarcasm]

Gods above, those cheap pipes sounded like what non-Scots say bagpipes sound like, strangling a bag of cats! The handmade ones however...beautiful. The sound from them is so pure, and the intricate note changes shine thru so clearly. Before I was able to track anything about my family history thanks to both myself and my mother being adopted, the first clue I had was an almost bone deep love of the sound of bagpipes even as a child before I knew what instrument they were. Albannach is my "go to" band for introducing people to what properly played bagpipes sound like, pure primal drums and pipes to fire up the soul.

[@georgeray3492]

This was fascinating. The Kilberry sound so different- much more musical. Did you ever find the leak in the bag? Great video. Play on!

[@beesarecoming]

I'm of the opinion that not enough songs have bagpipe solos. One of the coolest things I've ever witnessed was at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo when it was in Sydney; bagpipes and electric guitar dueling the opening of It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll). The piper was on top of the castle and everything.

[@johncrain4591]

I agree! The best part of any bagpipe song or solo is when it ends. The pure joy I feel. I can't describe it.

[@ReneJethmal]

Alright, now let's see what secret talents the rest of the team have been keeping under wraps!

[@Henchman_Holding_Wrench]

I think the tourist shop one is at best a display item you keep high up on a wall. Like a fancy sword that you would buy at a similar price.

[@kttk4564]

Pointless. I mean, what did you expect from a tourist gimmick?

[@StreetFreak9000]

Who cares?! Where are my bunker sandwiches with James & Co?

[@bghoody5665]

I think those ￡65 bagpipes are a souvenir which should really be used for decoration only.

[@sobtookmysn]

Didn't know Mike was a musician! That's awesome!!!

[@asgardinvestments]

From a channel that usually bring you car based content. "Want to see how cheap vs expensive bagpipes compare?" Me: say less

[@damiendegrasse]

Even with tou skills, the cheap pipes just took me back to the friends episode 😂

[@conner6052]

Legitimately you can actually play that's insane i had expected this to be torture to my ears.....well maybe the cheap one but mate top marks you legend. I wanna see more random Scottish videos on here

[@JohnFromAccounting]

2k for the best bagpipes sounds like a bargain coming from the world of violins and cellos.

[@craftywitch4431]

I agree. My friend is a professional harpist, you can imagine the costs of even a service, never mind buying one! £2000 for a handmade instrument sounds like an unbelievable bargain!

[@drstevenrey]

11:28. Speaking of shredding. That is not just shredding, that is complete and utter annihilation. The other one can go straight to the bin. A complete waste of money and effort. Only the original works.

[@FoxtrotWhiskey3]

In German we call them things "Dudelsack". It literally means what you read it as.

[@craftywitch4431]

Please dont be offended, but 'dudelsack' sounds like one of those English, slightly amusing mild insults 😄

[@Hin_Håle]

Just came home from an evening playing some dance tunes on my swedish bagpipes (with people dancing) and here's an unexpected video out from one if my favourite channels about scottish pipes. Perfect timing! Cheers from Sweden!

[@Arcturuseyes]

Ugh, hearing the din from the cheaper pipes tells me they're probably decorative rather than an instrument.

[@TXnine7nine]

i have a feeling the £65 ones are the ones you give your kid to see if it’s really something they want to dedicate their time and money into learning. Granted even for £65 the pieces shouldn’t be put in backwards. That’s just sad.

[@dubious6718]

Clearly made and put together by someone that doesn't play bagpipes. and its the type you give to your kid to make sure they wont play bagpipes.

[@imnotamechanic3491]

You can get cheap versions of most instruments (you can get junior bagpipes on ebay as low as £16), as with so many things that are the result of capitalism going mad - their ability to function is second to the ability for them to sell - to who? It really doesn't matter.

[@gclarkesmith]

🤷‍♂️Ummmmmm, did we know that Mike plays the bagpipes…?

[@Arcturuseyes]

Oh, your guy playing his brand of pipes sound amazing and clean. Beautiful.

[@HFC786]

Do this with cheese!

[@Fatrick_Star]

Cheese served by James May.

[@Bevity]

I didn't realize I was tapping my foot until I saw the foot tapping onscreen.

[@gillianpile7910]

I must admit that I’ve never been a fan of the bagpipes, but this ‘all you need to know but were afraid to ask’ film was really interesting. I’m amazed that a top spec set can be had for just £2k though.

[@billmartins5545]

Exactly. Many other instruments are much more expensive to get a top of the line one.

[@ClellBiggs]

The underlying drone (I don't know what it's called) is way too loud on the cheap one. It sounds like a car horn. Love the way the expensive one sounds.

[@Reactordrone]

They might sound better with distance. Say 500m to 1km away?

[@mattwruff]

You could use them as a fire alarm. People would leave faster than a pulling a fire alarm...

[@josephtalevich6407]

I have traditionally hated the sounds of bagpipes, but you have given me an appreciation of their quality. Thanks so much!

[@joempoem478]

You Heretic!

[@arconnelly5365]

Well, my ears are bleeding after listening to that poor excuse of a bagpipe.

[@sbondesson]

LOVE the bagpipes. The Swedish national intrument is the Nyckelharpa (Key-harp). Would be cool to hear a duo of these two national icons.

[@coolhand1983]

look for "Anna Rynefors and Erik Ask-Upmark". It is indeed a fantastic combo

[@sbondesson]

@@coolhand1983 Thank you! Sounds even more beautiful than I had imagined...

[@cleverusername9369]

Next up in the Scottish Cheap vs Expensive Challenges: -Haggis -Whisky -Cullen Skink And we find the answer the age old question: what flavour actually even IS Irn Bru??

[@th7297]

As a Student, I did. not have the cash to buy a proper pipe and started learning the pipes on these. I literally thought, I was just not smart enough. Seeing these guys experience exactly the same issues, I do feel a slight relief. But given my family’s sensitive ears and the level of aggression my kids can unfold towards unpleasant tunes, counting in my absolute lack of musicality, I will not try again. Ever. 😂

[@samthemultimediaman]

its a shame who ever engineered the cheap pipes didnt know what they were doing.

[@nbmrbluesky3688]

How mike expensed a trip home 😂

[@beepboopborp]

Okay… I play a set of duncan Macrae Sl4s’ and I gotta say, you have to appreciate the sound of quality bagpipes. Seriously, If you’re gonna buy a bagpipe buy something at $1200 minimum, because everything below that is a little bit so-so or literally like listening to someone using a lawnmower as an instrument.

[@rolandgdean]

As a woodworker, I know that a TON of that expense is the "African Blackwood"...it's half again as costly as Ebony which can be $100 /sq.ft. and it's like working with aluminum for hardness and wear on tools. HONESTLY, considering a bassoon can easily run $30,000 U.S., a few thousand pounds is next to nothing for what that luthier is creating and the history he is preserving.

[@bigdaddi1763]

I love the sound of the pipes but those cheap ones sounded like a bag of feral cats being murderd

[@jameslewis8227]

I think the cheap bagpipes are for testing one’s resolve and passion for really learning how to play them… When are you going to do a video on other types of pipes, such as the Irish or Northumbrian pipes? A video on pipe band drumming wouldn’t be bad either.

[@dubious6718]

The cheap bagpipe is the reason people stop playing them. From the sound of them, they are best suited to hang on the wall, to never be played.

[@marioguidotomasone1265]

For the same money (50/70£) you can buy a practice chanter and do proper testing. Proper. Testing.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

The Cheap Bagpipes could use some tuning

[@Arcturuseyes]

I've always wanted to hear a real set of "war pipes" I've heard they're larger and louder.

[@PerdixDesignLtd]

Referred to in uilleann pipe circles as PSO (pipe shaped objects). Although a full uilleann set from a reputable maker start around double the GHB pro set 😳

[@megamihestia4049]

Let’s be honest. The cheap one they sell at a tourist shop is probably targeted at people who don’t know how to play a bagpipe. So all they need to do is look like a bagpipe and make a vaguely bagpipe-ish noise. I’m pretty sure there are mass produced modern bagpipe that actually works at a reasonable price tag.

[@mynefield]

Please do a deep dive video of how these are made! Non of that fast forward montage nonsense. Something similar to The Reassembler, I think you may know that bloke and his crew.

[@sucuktunes4104]

The cheap one just sounds like a dying sheep. Hilarious

[@LandonLovette]

I was shocked to see that the chanter (finger hole part) can be removed and becomes a snake charmer flute.

[@thekitowl]

I have one of those flutes & that’s exactly what they sound like.

[@SWR_Quackula]

As someone who played in a pipe band in the past, this is a very cool video to see

[@srbmod93]

The £65 bagpipes are more of a decorative piece than an actual instrument.

[@chrisaris8756]

Yes. Mind you having owned a similar set when seem close up they are not even that nice looking - especially that hideous bag cover!

[@joskovich2753]

Ruari is such a nice guy! Kilberry's is more than worth it :)

[@BabslUrban]

❤ Thanks to your granddad. That‘s been hilarious. 🎉 Made my day.

[@mrmikemotors]

Leave it to Mike to buy cheap stock bagpipes, then try to make them go fast! Stick with the handmade set 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@the_jarmel]

👏👏👏 ❤️ PRODUCTION TEAM 🙏 HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY EVERYONE ✌️

[@MBx19v]

Please don't own and/or play bagpipes in a 1 bedroom flat.

[@ericfeldkamp3788]

Only 2k for the best bagpipes? That's the really story.

[@ryanferris7841]

You need to spend the money on acoustic instruments end off story!! 2k that’s a bargain for pipes of that elk 😮 however I know nothing about bagpipes!!! you would be up near 5k for an acoustic guitar of a similar quality

[@RayMainBagpiper]

Actually.... I have a set of sheesham wood pipes that actually sound very nice. I have them set up with an old Warnock plastic chanter, and I have the drones set up with balance tone high resonance drone reeds. I will state that the Bass drone WILL NOT tune well with standard drone settings, but the tenors tune perfectly. The bag is made of a material called rexine and it does not breath very well at all and the pipes are "watered" out after about 2 hours of playing. I have also been able to set up "wall hanger" small pipes soprano and bass ones. I've had fun playing my pipes over the years .... and I have also faced a ton of criticism for setting up "alternate versions" of bag pipes. The important thing is.... if you can make them work and you have a willing audience, go out and have fun. And um... well .... I probably have more sets of pipes than a piper should be allowed. LOL.

[@marksaddler]

Nice to see you back on your home turf Mike 👍

[@H_chapman17]

Great video, all you need is May on his piano and Hammond with his bass

[@TheRivieraKid]

And Clarkson on the drums.

[@richardharrold9736]

​@@TheRivieraKid nah, Clarkson only ever bought those to show off and counter feelings of inadequacy. The other two are actually musicians.

[@gewglesux]

@@richardharrold9736 The little Brummie is actually a decent Bassist

[@richardharrold9736]

@@gewglesux yeah, I did get that impression from what little he's ever let us see. I'd like to see him get into a jamming band just to see what he's capable of...

[@gewglesux]

@@richardharrold9736 i'd like to see that also!! Our little Brummie. providing the low end..

[@MrRautaxe]

Quote from another review: "It looks good above the fireplace, or even better in the fireplace"

[@Rongkalimpong]

Im from India 🇮🇳 I love to play bagpipe ❤......if there wll be the any online shopping to buy bagpipe please inform me🙏

[@brunohache268]

Well, if I needed something to spawn Nessie and Cthulhu together... can't go wrong with a 65 pound set of pipes lol 😂

[@jamesrowe3606]

I learned to play the bagpipes as a teenager in the Boys Brigade. I was OK with the practice chanter, but I just couldn't keep the bag filled when playing the pipes. I gave up. I wonder now if the pipes I was given to play were just too hard for a beginner. I had the manual dexterity, but I just couldn't supply the puff and my lungs were definitely strong enough at that age. Now I think they might have had a leaky bag and I had to work so hard to keep the drones sounding, that I couldn't focus on the chanter, which is after all the critical part. I wish I'd tried another set before chucking it in as a bad job.

[@JaySilva88]

I don't think the cheapo ones are made to be played honestly, and that shows when they even installed the reeds backwards. But do you really have to spend 2000€ or is there a middle ground?

[@rumeunner3245]

You can get a set of properly made pipes for around £600, those would be very basic, but functional

[@phlave]

Gotta say, at least the cheap ones are funny AND cheap. Both make me want to rummage around in my ears with a fork.

[@trailheads313]

did you intentionally not tune the cheap set? you still have to tune it as best you can, but I'm sure you already know this

[@Arnaud58]

@07:30 "...no CNC machines..."🤨 As much as I respect the old building processes, a lathe was also quite modern one day...🤔🧐🤭🤫 The "tourist" version just failed in every way. Moral: Buy quality, not a price!😉

[@mymasmith7848]

2000 pounds for a high-end professional instrument honestly isn't that much, relatively speaking. My daughter's good++ advanced student level french horn cost $4,500. If she sticks with it for longer, the next step up is twice that.

[@phildemarest]

When I purchased my Pipes from McCallum, my wife was shocked at the cost. She said to me, but they are only $175 on Amazon! I pointed out to her that they were trash and unplayable!

[@bpfrocket]

Ok Mike, it’s time for a “Pipe Tribe” channel!!!

[@ThatFifeBiker]

Haha tassels, what piper calls cords tassels 🤣

[@quest2kid]

I love Scotland!!!!! :D

[@robertlynn7332]

If it doesn't pass the air tightness test, with stoppers in all of the stocks, there's no point in going forward until that's fixed. At least put a real bag on it and check the valve. Of course, by the time you change out the bag and all of the reeds, you could probably find a decent set of Graingers or Hardies from the 1970s in the same price range.

[@joonassummanen6130]

i would rather listen to the expensive ones. The cheap ones sound S***, but for me they both sound like a cat trapped in a vacuum cleaner. the sound of the cheap bagpipes is the most painful sound I've ever heard. Compared the the cheap pipes, the expensive ones sound beautiful. Please don't ever play them again on this channel (the cheap ones i mean).

[@philipkremer1394]

Is there a kind of mid-range bagpipe available, that sound OK but doesn't cost $2000?

[@Jewriffic]

I agree; they are miserable, but I never saw either player tune the drones before starting to play. One should never purchase a set of pipes, even a practice chanter anywhere but from Scotland, if they want to preserve their investment. If they wish something above their heart, then these would be a perfect decorative item.

[@IlGeremiaRizzo]

Artisan pipes are the best pipes. Anything less than that is pure excrement. And I ain’t Scottish, nor do I need to be one to work out the differences between artisan pipes vs the so-called “tourist” pipes.

[@kaziiqbal7257]

Honestly with the sound of those drones I was kinda happy with the respite I was afforded by them going out.

[@pi286]

I play a bunch of instruments so I was looking into buying a 65$ bagpipe cause I only want to play a few songs and I may not play it alot, but that sound is brutal hahaha thanks :)

[@terranceparsons5185]

What a brilliant video. I absolutely loved it!it brought a big smile to my face.

[@alexmorrill4144]

I love the video, but to be fair they didn’t seem to bother tuning the drones of the cheap set. They never will sound good, but I still felt like they didn’t give them a true fair chance.

[@Thisandthat8908]

There must be higher price and quality cnc produced one. It's not like using modern technology makes things always worse.

[@pigeondriver45]

it sounda like someones playing bagpipes while someone is mowing their lawn

[@AlanAbdulAkbar]

One of my old Pipe teachers used to say that there are two place for those cheap tourist pipes: hanging above the fireplace or placed in the fire place..

[@s8rut]

The definition of a gentleman, someone who can play the bagpipes but dosn't.

[@conner6052]

Did want a bit of Scotland the brave though

[@daviestewart2510]

A pipe player and a Rover fan, you're really going up in my estimation m8, nice one!

[@victory128100]

Did anyone else feel like the beginning half of this video felt like a how it's made video on Discovery about bagpipes

[@tonybarton3746]

While in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 in the seventies, worked with a chef , who surprised me on burns night , marched into our mess piping dressed in his previous job , master piper of the black watch , never forgotten. The expensive pipes have it by a mile , the cheapest ones great as bird scarers 😂😂😂😂

[@ryanmmoore1977]

Such terrible synthetic bagpipes over the intro...

[@Savannah_prepping1]

The cheap ones sound like something you hear in a port a john after a taco bell buffet

[@Mark_Williams300]

Where's the queue for suing Mike for torturing my ears with those cheap bagpipes?

[@Savannah_prepping1]

Mass production vs hand made quality vs quality Chinese man vs artisan made

[@dragonmac1234]

To be honest bagpipes in general sound like cats in a tumble dryer to me, but the cheap ones were horrible. Who would want something like that 😱