Bagpipe FAQ: It's a Shepherd, but is it a MkI, MkII or a MKIII?

rec.music.makers.bagpipe FAQ

[Search] [Appearance]

Bagpipe FAQ : GHB : Pipe Identification : Chanters :
It's a Shepherd, but is it a MkI, MkII or a MKIII?

Moderator: redbeard@xmission.com (inherited from parent)

The Shepherd Mark 1 was introduced in or about 1985. The COW band, ie Scottish & Irish Imports as we were known at the time, purchased a set I think the day before the Perth games that year, and played them up through 1992.
In 1993 the band purchased the Shepherd Mark 2, which I believe was brand-spanking new. I was "retired" at the time so I'm not 100% sure of that, but almost certainly the Mark 2 appeared no earlier than 1992. This is the ubiquitous model that became staggeringly popular in the latter part of the last decade of the last century (ooh, that sounds so cool - almost a Van Dyke Parks lyric).
The Mark 3, of course, made it's commercial appearance in late 1998 / early 1999, though beta versions were being played in the summer of '98 by Dysart & Dundonald and several members of the Strathclyde Police.
So, distinguishing marks ...
The Mark 1 has a plainish block on the end with three rings cut in it.
The Mark 2 has a rather complex and attractive block with a stair-step effect, three edges I think. Kind of like one of those Mayan pyramids. But without the altar for human sacrifice.
The Mark 3 is just, uh, well unattractive. A simplified block on the bottom with two edges. An ugly step-sister to the two aesthetically pleasing predecessors
Chris Hamilton ToneCzar@bellatlantic.net

Chris added:
I think there's actually TWO rings not three on the Mark I ... might want to verify that.
Can someone give a conclusive answer to this? Chris has still given enough information that you should be able to identify your Shepherd chanter.
2000-May-09 10:06 redbeard@xmission.com

I checked ... the Shepherd Mark I has TWO rings on the block.
2000-May-12 12:42 toneczar@bellatlantic.net

Confirmation, the Shepherd Mark 1 has TWO rings cut into the bulb at the end.
2001-Mar-17 13:18 Shawnhusk@nls.net

[Append to This Answer]

2001-Mar-17 13:18

This document is: http://www.xmission.com/~redbeard/cgi-bin/rmmb_fom.cgi?file=59

[Search] [Appearance]

This is a Faq-O-Matic 2.710.

This FAQ administered by Dan Maker

	Bagpipe FAQ : GHB : Pipe Identification : Chanters : It's a Shepherd, but is it a MkI, MkII or a MKIII?
	Moderator: redbeard@xmission.com (inherited from parent)
	The Shepherd Mark 1 was introduced in or about 1985. The COW band, ie Scottish & Irish Imports as we were known at the time, purchased a set I think the day before the Perth games that year, and played them up through 1992. In 1993 the band purchased the Shepherd Mark 2, which I believe was brand-spanking new. I was "retired" at the time so I'm not 100% sure of that, but almost certainly the Mark 2 appeared no earlier than 1992. This is the ubiquitous model that became staggeringly popular in the latter part of the last decade of the last century (ooh, that sounds so cool - almost a Van Dyke Parks lyric). The Mark 3, of course, made it's commercial appearance in late 1998 / early 1999, though beta versions were being played in the summer of '98 by Dysart & Dundonald and several members of the Strathclyde Police. So, distinguishing marks ... The Mark 1 has a plainish block on the end with three rings cut in it. The Mark 2 has a rather complex and attractive block with a stair-step effect, three edges I think. Kind of like one of those Mayan pyramids. But without the altar for human sacrifice. The Mark 3 is just, uh, well unattractive. A simplified block on the bottom with two edges. An ugly step-sister to the two aesthetically pleasing predecessors Chris Hamilton ToneCzar@bellatlantic.net
	Chris added: I think there's actually TWO rings not three on the Mark I ... might want to verify that. Can someone give a conclusive answer to this? Chris has still given enough information that you should be able to identify your Shepherd chanter. 2000-May-09 10:06 redbeard@xmission.com
	I checked ... the Shepherd Mark I has TWO rings on the block. 2000-May-12 12:42 toneczar@bellatlantic.net
	Confirmation, the Shepherd Mark 1 has TWO rings cut into the bulb at the end. 2001-Mar-17 13:18 Shawnhusk@nls.net
	[Append to This Answer]
	2001-Mar-17 13:18