Gibson Cocobolo Practice Chanter (4K) | Unboxing & Review

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[@CelticRootsFarm]

Great review! I just became Gibsons newest bagpipe maker here in New Hampshire and I’m really enjoying every step of the learning process. First time I’ve gone to work with a smile on my face in a long time. Great company with a product I’m proud of. 👍

[@paulouellette6881]

Hey Matt...Jerry Gibson retired from being a pipe-maker some time ago & sold the company to a chap in NH...so it's nice to see the standard he set is being well represented these days. I sent Jerry the link to make sure he saw this video. Cheers from Ontario. P. (P/S...you'd also like Gibson pipes, which are made in the USA !!!)

[@Korgerja06]

Am I the only one that thought, "That's what she said" at 1:48? Always great videos sir.

[@stellamaris5818]

I have been playing this lovely chanter for two years now. I appreciate your positive review because this chanter is a musical instrument all by itself. I had a Gibson all plastic long practice chanter before this one and discovered an immediate difference in tone my first few notes.

[@nancyirwin3150]

I laughed at the “not as much like a duck” comment. When I first started practicing, my husband said that it sounded like I was squashing ducks. He said that I have now graduated to actually sounding like something. Lol

[@rennymackay2618]

I have a long Gibson cocobolo practice chanter that I love. It has that same warm tone as in this video. You certainly can't go wrong with this instrument.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I was seriously impressed by this. I’ll definitely be recommending to students who want a great instrument in its own right and not just a practice stick.

[@WootTootZoot]

I just got one, I didn't care for the Gibson reed, it sounded a bit too muted. But, tried several different reeds that I had, and found the Abbott (black) reed to be bright, a bit louder and sounding really nice and the tuning was balanced and sounded like a real musical instrument, as advertised. I love it.

[@paulhenkelman1651]

I have the blackwood version. It sounds best with a Gibson PC reed. I just put the polyester thread on it per your advice. So far, so good!

[@glewzenbu]

I have a standard sized McCallum PC that sounds nice, I’ ve played a poly Gibson long PC as my main PC for a long time and its good, I recently got a Long PC made of Cocobolo from David Hall Bagpipes and it sounds really nice with a Gibson PC reed! My instructor also has an old (unknown make) cocobolo Long PC and boy does he make it sing!

[@jdodgebagpiper8036]

Hi Matt! I’ve found your channel VERY useful in my journey of learning the last 2 years. I have a great instructor, but I sometimes benefit from hearing your explanations as well! I like your reviews, and was immediately steered away from Amazon pipes because of your video review. I’d like to see you do a review video on John Walsh pipes/pc made in Nova Scotia, Canada. I have his standard length chanter, and poly GHB. They both sound great I think, but would be very curious of your take. Cheers!

[@glenfletcher5746]

Thanks for the review!! I have been thinking about getting a wood practice chanter to complement my poly chanter that I have been learning on from the start. The Gibson is on my short list of only two. The other one I am considering is the John Walsh "eco-friendly hardwood" practice chanter. I like that one because it is all wood except for the poly lined top to incorporate a water trap. My poly chanter is a Walsh and I love his water trap design! But the sound of that Gibson....Nice!!! Anyway you could do a review on the Walsh PC??

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

If someone were to send me a Walsh, I would love to!

[@lesliethomson2441]

Great video, sounds great. The only problem I've heard of cocobolo is for the makers, if they have an allergy to it, it's a total mess. Here in Spain it's not that infrequent.

[@briansamosky5536]

I have only had a Gibson poly chanter and always had problems with reeds in it. One of my bandmates who teaches me actually made his chanter. I am in the market for a reliable practice chanter - especially for a wet blower such as myself.

[@gunnsmoke357]

RG Hardy twist trap long chanter.

[@peterabbott6095]

Hi Matt, nice review! I wish Roddy still made his long chanters as I believe he no longer makes them, please tell me if I’m wrong? There are three makers in Scotland who use the over bored finger holes, True-tone, Shepherd and Duncan Souter. True-Tone make their long poly chanters with this design and also make a shepherd long poly chanter for them. Shepherd and Duncan Souter make their long Blackwood chanters with this finger hole design. I much prefer it to the more common countersunk finger holes 👍

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

MacLellan is out of the practice chanter business.

[@Mikey-qd8wo]

Hi Matt, I have recently found your channel and have to say I truly enjoy it and the info provided. I have been toying with learning for years now ever since a Scottish Rite brother offered to teach me. I would like to purchase my first practice chanter and was wondering if you could suggest one. I live in the SE so humidity and heat are a thing. What do you suggest for your students? Tapadh leat 😅

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Any practice chanter from a reputable maker will work. Gibson here make some of my favorite practice chanters.

[@Christians_outdoors]

I got a Amazon bagpipe practice chanter for Christmas and it came with 2 reeds and the canter also an instruction booklet to show proper fingering and it also came with a nice velvet cafe to put it in it is a really good practice chanter for only 30 dollars!

[@mccypr]

What’s the best Practice Chanter to get in your opinion? I’m definitely headed in the direction of purchasing a set of Scottish Small Pipes. I into the Cape Breton thing. Thanks! 🙂😎

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

For the price, thee Gibson cocobolo chanters are quite lovely. Definitely recommended!

[@seanwennihan6191]

Great Video Matt 👍👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪☘️☘️☘️

[@dominiclapinta8537]

You know a thing or two about practice and pipe Chanters. I was wondering if you knew of a good place or places to purchase pipe Chanters in different keys. I have a d Uilleann Pipe Chanter and I was wondering where I could get one that is in the key of b or even c.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

"Flat sets" as they are known in the uilleann pipe world are generally custom made, or bought used. You could keep an eye out for a chanter here: www.uilleannobsession.com/classifieds.html

[@dominiclapinta8537]

@@MattWillisBagpiper thanks, that will help.

[@nancyirwin3150]

Curious. Have you ever played a set of pipes made out of that kind of wood?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Yep! Owned a set of MacLellan Millennium pipes in cocobolo. Had to sell during a tough financial patch in 2007, but they were amazing. Pipe chanter was Blackwood but drones and stocks were cocobolo. Miss that bagpipe.

[@dwightrudd9908]

What is the name of the song at the beginning of the video?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

That’s “All the Blue Bonnets Are Over the Border” bit.ly/BlueBonnets

[@shadowskywalker1545]

Do you have a extra chanter I can buy off of you

[@traildogisla]

My ABW chanter that I have had from childhood has a split top and broken sole... I don't need this temptation! Is there any benefit of buying a practice chanter from the same maker as your primary pipe chanter?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Sorry to hear of the broken old chanter. :( No, there is no benefit of having matching brands between pipe and practice chanters.

[@traildogisla]

Doesn't seem to be a UK retailer for the Gibson :(

[@kennyb123]

@@traildogisla Can't find a US retailer that has it in stock. :-(

[@gregoryalee2457]

I am a little bit confused so maybe you can help me out. I see you have reviewed a number of practice chanters but which one in your opinion is the best of all of them?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Depends what you’re looking for… high tech and metal? The ES session chanter. Have excess moisture issues? Twist trap chanter. What warmer tone and don’t mind lighter-colored wood? This Gibson is a fine choice… no one best.

[@gregoryalee2457]

@@MattWillisBagpiper Just looking for another chanter that might offer a different sound which is more like a musical instrument. A second sound.

[@hunterber686]

@@MattWillisBagpiperwhat about the Maverick?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

@@hunterber686 Maverick makes a very good chanter.

[@joepall323]

how much does the Gibson Cocobolo chanter cost?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Good question! I didn’t purchase it so… I’m sure the Gibson Bagpipes website has it listed.

[@maxwellfan55]

Thank you Matt. I agree the PC sounded great, congrats new owner. Personally I would have ordered a cocobolo top half, doesn't contrast quite right with plastic IMO. Also I don't like chamfered holes. Important to have a good, reliable, clean sounding PC, they are so personal for so long. BTW. I have been told on very good authority not to embellish Rowan Tree, or at least only the bare minimum. The idea being it is such a simple (beautiful) melody, best keeping it dead simple to achieve best effect. The great Dugald MacNeil told me that.

[@matthubbard6353]

I wish more makers counterbore their PC's - I feel like it better mimics the feel of an actual chanter, which is part of the point of a PC. I've also taken to putting a length of hose on the end of the mouthpiece which puts the PC in a position close to where your Pipe chanter would be (eg. more straight up and down as opposed to out in front ala clarinet). The closer to mimicking the actual instrument the smoother the transition between the practice tool (not an instrument ) to the actual instrument. I have a bandmate with a Gibson Coco and it's loud as hell! Maybe the new short read makes it blend a little better others :) My 2 pennies - love your channel btw!