These pipes have been developed at the request of Mr. Aelred Edmunds, a long-time smallpipe player. He wanted a set of pipes that are noticeably louder than usual smallpipes, but still comfortably playable indoors. The result is a pipe with a slightly conical bore. The chanter uses Gibson Fireside chanter reeds, so the reeds are readily replaceable. The drones can use either the Gibson Fireside drone (double)reeds, or single reeds (with styrene tongues), at a small additional cost. The drones have a parallel-bored first joint, with a slighly conical second, to balance the chanter's strenght.

The reason for the unusual configuration of the D pipe is that Mr Edmunds wanted the (by his own preference single) drone to be parallel with the chanter, so they can be easily picked up by a single microphone, as the set is frequently used in pub settings where amplification is desirable.

The A pipe pictured has only the chanter made by me, as a replacement for a quieter one, the whole original instrument having been made by a well-known Australian maker. The rest of the pipe as it is now is original. Both these pipes are regularly used in busking at the local market (in rather noisy conditions), as well as in pub- and other indoors settings, with and without amplification. They seem to be well balanced for both of these types of perfomance- not too soft for the first, not too loud for the second.

Both these sets use the original bellows of the A pipe.

I'm offering the two pitches, D and A, with either one or two drones. The second drone being either a baritone one (a fifth above the bass) or a tenor one (an octave above). In my opinion three drones tend to drown out the chanter too much, but if desired, three drones can be easily supplied, either bass-baritone-tenor, or bass-tenor-tenor.

The carved horn on the A chanter is made from boxwood, and does the same job as the flares on the ends of the D chanter and drones. It was made on special request, the usual way would be a flare. the pipes can be supplied complete, or without a bag, the latter to be supplied by the buyer. They also can be ordered either mouth-blown or bellows-blown.

A bagless bagpipe. This consists of a standard chanter and a bass drone, with a windcap instead of a bag. If played with circular breathing, the sound is indistinguishable from that of a bagpipe. When played the "usual" way the drone gives a kind of rhythmic beat to the music.