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 sol
• hand-sewn pocket in cowhide leather with outside seam
• two drones G3/G4
• additional increment per bourdon by 1 major second possible
• rings in boxwood and reclaimed hardwood (rosewood/wenge/…)
• one plastic and one natural reed
• mouthpiece in horn

• melody pipe in sol
• hand-sewn pocket in cowhide leather with outside seam
• three drones G3/G4/C3 with switch system
• additional increment per bourdon by 1 major second possible
• rings in boxwood and reclaimed hardwood (rosewood/wenge/…)
• one plastic and one natural reed
• mouthpiece in horn

• melody pipe in sol
• 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

• sol melody pipe: 800 euros
• wind cap to play the melody pipe as a shawm: 120 euros
• natural cane (arundo donax): 100 euros
• plastic reeds (polystyrene): 80 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: 120 euro extra cost