Bagpipe Construction

The bagpipes I offer are of the “Breughel” or Flemish bagpipe type and are modeled after the instruments played in our area in the 16th and 17th centuries. They can be seen in the paintings of Pieter Breughel (°Breugel or Breda, c. 1525-1530 – +Brussels, Sept. 9, 1569), among others. Take a look at my Pinterest page to get an idea of the bagpipe through the ages in the fine arts. The only surviving instrument of this type is preserved in the art history museum in Vienna under the name “Schäferpfeife” (shepherd’s pipe).

A characteristic of these instruments is that the two drones are upright from the same holder when played. The basic instrument I make has two humming pipes that sound one and two octaves lower than the fundamental tone of the shawm. For now, I only build instruments in sol (G). They have half-closed fingering. During next year (2024), I hope to offer lower instruments as well. The lower instruments in re (D) and do (C) have open fingering. You can find the fingering charts here.

All instruments are made from locally harvested woods (link to wood). The tropical hardwood rings used come from recovered batches of hardwoods from old furniture or aging stock in dusty attics, or from residual wood from guitar construction, for example (e.g., pallisander remnants from backs and sides).

I use round prices including VAT. Please contact us for individual wishes regarding decorations, etc.

• melody pipe in keynote
• hand-sewn pocket in cowhide leather with outside seam
• two drones in octave
• rings in boxwood and reclaimed hardwood (rosewood/wenge/…)
• a plastic or a natural reed

• melody pipe in keynote
• hand-sewn pocket in cowhide leather with outside seam
• three drones  with stop system
• rings in boxwood and reclaimed hardwood (rosewood/wenge/…)
• a plastic or a natural reed

• melody pipe in keynote
• pocket with inside seam
• one drone standing (lying on demand)
• just end rings on hum pipe and melody pipe
• one plastic reed
• replaceable nozzle in plastic
• additional mouthpieces available in varying lengths
• installment plan possible

• melody pipe in G : 500 euros
• melody pipe in D: 850 euros
• wind cap to play the melody pipe as a shawm: 120 euros
• natural cane (arundo donax): 80 euros
• plastic reeds (polystyrene): 50 euros
• drone reed : 45 euros
• additional mouthpiece student model: 50 euros
• checking and maintenance of bagpipes GDN: material cost
• servicing and maintenance of bagpipes from another builder: 60 Euro/hr + materials
• drone elevation via twist lock: 85 euro extra cost / with plug : 25 euros extra cost