McCallum Blackwood vs Duncan MacRae Bagpipes - Play Test & Comparison! Matt Willis Bagpiper
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- Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
- In today's video, Matt Willis Bagpiper play tests a set of McCallum AB4 Deluxe Blackwood bagpipes with a set of their Duncan MacRae by Stuart Liddell bagpipes! Two incredible instruments, both made by McCallum Bagpipes!
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Firstly both are good sounding sticks. To me the MacRae's win in a heads up match. The MacRae's have slightly more depth and therefore color. No one should feel slighted if they get either set but, since we're debating which of the roses have the sweeter smell, I'd point a student towards the MacRae's.
On the MacRaes the limitation ivory mounts, blackwood slides, and metal ferrules looks soo good
Now that's why Stuart Liddell plays the Macrae's. Stunning sound coming from those drones.
see my comment
Neat! I just bought a McCallum AB2 Deluxe set the other month (same as AB4 Deluxe, but without the engraving) and I'm enjoying them a lot!
Neat I had just bought a McCallum ab2 deluxe set the other month for my birthday.
Trying really hard to tell the difference, but it seems to me that the MacRae’s have richer drones. Great test Matt- thanks!
Definite difference from the Mcraes!! love the lower fuller sound it produces.
Agree. The bass is much fuller in the MacRaes IMHO.
agreed - and this made me go order the McCrae SL4 - lovely deep well balanced drones.
The MacRaes have the fuller and deeper tone with more volume. The AB4’s have a nice balanced blend between the chanter Reed volume. Both great tones, the MacRaes take the prize for me. That B needs tape by the way lol 😁
I have both a set of McCallums and McRaes and I prefer the tone of the McRaes personally. The drones seem to have a much bigger presence in my opinion.
I play a set of 2009 AB4dx, and they are a great set of pipes! My favorite to play (I also play a pre1912 set of Lawries), I have played with other pipers who play with The macraes and they have bold and full sound! This was a great video, Thanks Mat
People always are talking down on McCallums, and I think that’s BS. They have really great sound in my opinion, and are well made. They sound wonderful with many different reeds as well!
All good to go, and as a cherry on top, heir customer support is AWESOME.
Second that! Their customer support is superb and friendly too!
Next time you do a comparison video you should edit the video and have both playing at the same time
Great comparison Matt. Ordering MacRae SL4s tomorrow! Gonna be a long 6 week wait, even though I only stay half an hour away from McCallum’s factory in Kilmarnock!
All the best.
Hi Matt! Thank you for posting this video! I play McCallum P0’s right now, but have recently ordered the McCallum AB4’s. I was torn between the McCallums and the MacRae’s based on the price difference but went with the McCallums because of the price point.
Personally I feel like the McCallum’s have a richer bass to it over the MacRae’s. While some like the balanced tone more, I like a richer bass personally because I feel that against the tenors and chanters, the overall tone is richer. Thank you for making this video because I have been hesitant in my decision in my upgraded pipes, but now I’m exciting for them to arrive and can’t wait to compare the sound of my P0’s to my AB4’s. I have EZ drones in my P0’s, but I ordered Canning carbon fiber reeds for my AB4’s. Maybe I’ll make a video myself for the comparison!
Dan, have you received your McCallum AB4’s yet? You will like them as you would like the SL set if you had chosen that one, neither will disappoint and both from a maker who’s service and backup is first class! I find that you only ever hear your own pipes from the playing perspective so either set would sound different to the sound in the video imho. I too have a poly set of McCallums, the P3’s and use standard eezedrone all inverted just to tone them down a bit as they are a bit louder than the Blackwood pipes though great for drone chorus in the band. I had never noticed what Matt says about all poly pipes not staying in tune with temperature changes as I’ve found this to be the same with Blackwood too though the poly pipes are prone to moisture and have to have a decent moisture system fitted for all but summer playing. The U.K. is just too damp and they get as wet as a practice chanter in the wrong conditions tough great for holiday use and if you live in a hot and dry climate. Enjoy the new pipes! I know you will be very happy with them👍
@@peterabbott6095 yes! I have received them. I have had them for about a month and they just sing! I had the honor of playing for my grandfather’s funeral today. I broke out my AB4’s and they were just locked in. Wonderful tone. I am in love.
It's odd how the two compare. The tenors of the McCallums seem sweeter (or maybe is more even), but the bass comes out a bit quiet. The MacRaes seems to have a better bass drone presence, or probably a more full tone.
Sincerely, your videos besides instructionals are really enjoyables, amazing, ….I am happy and I enjoy all the minutes of duration….CONGRATULATIONS and thanks so much for make us( bagpipe’s lovers) happy !
I appreciate the comment and so glad you found the channel!
Thanks for this, Matt! I hope you're well my friend!
I am!
A great idea to do a comparison. I found the only (very little) difference were: the tone of set with the Liddell bore a little deeper while the tone of the deluxe set a little smoother. But both great sound.
Please my second comment a suggestion for another test.
Matt. A great comparison. Another suggested comparison. One hears another of comment about which wood the best sound , particularly old traditional woods (comes & ebony) vs blackwood and newer hardwoods. Of you can get your hands (both meanings of the word) I would love hear you do a comparison of 3 sets with cousins, ebony, & ABW, using the same standard chanter, chanter Reed, and drone as controls.(FYI I have an old 1890s PH ebony set). Keep up the good work with these info videos: I look forward to each.
Re my last comment: typo error by my auto spell checker: ""comes" should have been "cocus"
I'm hoping to do a Robertson comparison with 1. Cocuswood Robertsons 2. Blackwood Robertsons & 3. modern Robbies (Robertson replicas in Blackwood).
Both sound great, I have a set of SL0 macraes myself. I'd suggest the macrae bass is a little bolder than the other set. Though if you swapped the bass reed for a non-inverted/standard reed, in the AB4s, it'd probably be hard to tell the difference (?!)
It would be fun to hear just the drones. I'd also like to hear the sl4s with a few different sets of drone reeds. Thanks as always good job.
The Green Hills Set. Wonderful set.
A classic! -- and well suited to the band-level piper.
Not necessarily Battlefield Band's "Bad Moon Rising Reel."
Instant panic attack when you took the drone reeds out like that! But great video and thanks! Thinking about getting a set of the MacRaes and this seals it I think.
No reeds were hurt in the making of the video, I promise!
Great idea and especially helpful for those looking to buy a(another) set of pipes. Total novice, just now transitioning to pipes from the PC. Looked at both the AB4 and the SL4, along with a few others, and scouted all over the internet trying to find comparisons like this. It's not like buying a guitar at the corner music store where you can play them all. Watched your unboxing of the Peter Hendersons and after listening, went with those. Anyone would be pleased and fortunate to have any of these. To my novice ear, the McCallum pipes had a nice balance, maybe a 'sweeter' tone. The MacRae pipes a deeper tone and seemed a bit 'louder', more out front?
I don't play but I hope to start soon. My own opinion is the Mcraes have more bass or louder bass which I personally like. They both sound great though. Love this channel.
I love the warmth of both sets
deserves a sub... since I've watched about half a dozen of your videos lol.
the research centre to starting and continue playing beautifully the bagpipes ;)
now for me to find a place that I can practice the chanter
I think the McCallum AB4 Deluxe just gorgeous.
I have a similar set of the McCallums, but mine have mopani wood mounts instead of the imitation ivory. Absolutely love them.
Those Mopane mounts are lovely. I have those on my blackwood McCallum folk pipes.
Splitting hairs, you can hear a more dominant base on Mcraes , but personally I prefer a more balanced volume in all 3 drones and the slightly more mellow sound of the McCallums. I’m glad I’ve recently picked a new set of AB4s as they were customisable to choice of mounts etc whereas the mccraes must stick to original copy design and months - I prefer the look of the ab4 and the sound difference is marginal and in my case favour the McCallums. You have to remember that both pipes are McCallums and the mccraes are not actually mccraes - it’s a bit like asking for a costa coffee with vanilla vs same coffee with cinnamon - personal preference and both can be nice . I’d be interested in any reviews which compare the performance of a hybrid bag in exactly same pipes as a set using sheepskin - as in reality , the difference in sound might just be down to the bag in this case ?? In which case , people could be saying they prefer the sound of the hybrid- or might it provide better moisture control with a canister - does that make me a heretic ??
Sweet! The ab4 is the same kind of pipes I have, I have a crozier carbon in my bass and outside tenor and an sm90 in my middle tenor
Hi Joseph McGillivary.
That’s very interesting that you use a mix of tenor drones, I have used both crozier and SM90’s in my piles as full sets and occasionally tried using different bass drones to see if there is a magic formula. I really like Matt’s combination of eezedrone tenors and standard highland reed bass.
Do you use the different tenors for tonal reasons or because the sm90 in the middle tenor is slightly quieter, making it a bit easier to tune by ear? I’ve known some pipers use different reeds in each drone just because they work and can’t match a set lol! Having said that, the pipes sounded ok on all occasions.
@@peterabbott6095 more or less both, it had a little bit of a different tone that is also quieter so it still compliments the first tenor while also creating a third drone tone as well, I find it works really well in my case, also makes it easier to tune since I know what drone makes each noise lol
@@josephmacgillivary5978 thank you, I’m going to try that one.
I REALLY want to hear what they sound like with the Ackland drone reeds!!
If there can be only one choice to try the Auckland’s in, I would really Prefer it was done in the McCallum AB-4D’s... Pretty pleeeease??
Me too!
Aye the McRaes have a softer drone more muted, deeper possibly. Both sound great, possible the McRaes are a better solo pipe, copy of older drones. My old Thows certainly have a much more muted drone. Keep up the good work Matt always interesting!
I loved both sets. I'm refraining from adding my comments so as to not color others' opinions. But both are fantastic instruments!
@@MattWillisBagpiper no doubt about that! Fun comparison!
I like the McCallums there drones sound more quiet to me but I’ve only played a Wallace and McCallum pipes
Me párese que es una magnífica gaita , la compro.
I have a set of AB4's...the fact the set you played have grometts in would explain the very slight volume difference in my opinion that I noticed at times, I listened to both instruments at length with eyes shut, opening them occasionally to try and see what set were being played.. and to be honest the only difference I noticed was with the McCraes on one occasion however I think more due to the stop and start between repordings which wasn't as clean as the earlier or later ones parts, (no critism at all) and the direction the drones were facing when the recording started again being closer to the camera and therefor were a bit louder until you completed your turn...my view is there was little to no difference beteen the drone volume, tone, etc on either, if the grommets were removed I wouldn't be surprised to hear a significant difference as I did once upon a time in mine when I removed gromets........I am very happy to own a set of 2012 AB4's but would also be very happy with a set of McCraes. I have had a lot of very expereinced pipers comment on the drone tone and sound of my AB4's great job though and really nice to hear
Good comparison, although I would like to have heard a slow air on each of them. Both sounded great but for me the MacRaes were top with a bit more depth in the drone sound. I play a set of Thow (David) pipes made around 1907 and played in both World Wars. Their drone sound is similar to the MacRaes, when I can get them in top tune. I think the MacRaes give a richer sound depth more typical of much older good pipes but with a modern set of pipes.
These are the two sets I've been trying to pick between.
Did this help you decide?
@@MattWillisBagpiper I'm leaning towards the McRea's. These will be my first set. And I've been told all the metal on the McCollum's give them a hollow sound or a vibration. And that the McRea's have a warmer, deeper tone. The McRea's I like also have some metal on them as well though. What are your thoughts?
I have the SL2 Macrae’s as well
Inverted bass works really well for the Macraes
I have been playing the MacRae SL4's for a few years now. Really solid, superb tone. A toss up comparing reeds, canning, and ezee increased absorbtion w/inverted bass, both were very steady and comparing both, sound improved tuning higher on the pin(tenors). I've only played a Gannaway with these and have had great success. Mccallum's customer service is superior, with them turning the MacRae's they can definitely help with any issues. I had them turn me a poly blow pipe stock to match my set and still had them ship the ABW stock which they did promptly. Awesome company and in my opinion, MacRae is the way to go. Cheers Matt!
Minus the chanter setup and bag (Ross extended small)
....I have the exact same setup as the McCallum pipes (I love and swear by mine)......but that Macrae's sound.........
One of my pipers has purchased the MacRae's
Hope he enjoys them as much as I like my set!
@@MattWillisBagpiper He is HE IS
I'm saving my money now for a set of Duncan Macrae's for my Christmas present to myself. I have a Canmore hybrid bag on my Hendersons, I don't really care for it, it's a bit heavy and stiff for my taste.
Thanks for the video Matt. I was wondering if you can do a video on a set of Dunbar bagpipes? I’m thinking about getting a set.
If someone sends me a set... That said, I don't review polypenco/plastic pipes (I find all polypenco have tuning issue swith temperature changes, regardless of brand), but would be happy to review their blackwood pipes. My Robbies are made by Dunbar and they are superb!
I play a set of Dunbar pipes (woood). Members of the band I am with have said they have a fairly bold sound.
@@MattWillisBagpiper Hi Matt, Curious as to what you are wearing on your right wrist that lights up green. Is it a wrist metronome? if so what make and why do you use it
Do u think those drop kick Murphy editions are a bit overkill for a first set?
Not at all! Get what you want!
I have SL-3's and SL-4's but I prefer my Kyo's so they don't get played. There are 8 sets in my collection but I'm aging and can't play them all anymore.
McCallum for band pipes. MacRae for solo.
Awesome! MacRea’s have a deeper drone to me.
Perhaps, but the blend of everything in your McCallums is lovely. As stated in the video, hard to say which I prefer...
I was surprised that the drone sound seemed a bit quieter when you were facing away from the camera (seemed especially true with the Macraes). I would have expected the opposite. Where was the microphone set up? That being said, I thought both had a very warm feel. I tend to have a preference for hide bags and play a Gannaway zipper/grommet bag myself..
The mic right next to the camera...
I'm shocked to being saying this, but I found that I preferred the standard McCallum set. The McCallum drones had a lot more tonal substance, livelier tenors, and a vibrant bass. The Macraes sounded good, but were a bit dull in comparison and didn't really leave much of an impression personally. Could very well be a setup thing, but that's what I got out of it. Your mileage may vary.
(as originally posted on FB): I loved both sets. I'm refraining from adding my comments so as to not color others' opinions. But both are fantastic instruments!
thanks for making us have to think
difficult choice.
But Dale Robertson does have a point
Both Well balanced sound.
I know someone who has the AB4Ds. Then they heard the MacRaes SL2s and had the opportunity to buy a set at a good price so they did-thinking they would immediately sell their AB4Ds. Big problem, they can't decide which set of pipes they like better, they both are set up with the same bag, etc.
Looks like the Sl4's have a canmore bag. The mccallum ab4 look like a hide or hybrid bag
Weird, I see most of the comments here say the MacRae's sound is better but when trying to focus only on the drones I felt that the McCallum's had a nicer (a wee bit deeper?) tone.
Both sets were great, and it's difficult to say "which is better". Tone is subjective. Those standard McCallum were a joy to play!
They both sound great and the comments seem evenly split between the two. Glad the "bigger is better" mantra hasn't dominated (pun intended?).
Would you ever consider reviewing, older bagpipes, J&R Glen made of ebony (c. WWI), to current Marr pipes made of African Black wood? I am looking to purchase some pipes in the near future.
I gave thought about a comparison video of old pipes, but it’s likely be with modern replicas and their originals. I have a set of Robbies, and a friend of mine has two classic Robertson pipes. See/hear how similar they are…
Beautiful
The MaRaes have a fuller sound, no question. Do you think Stuart has all his pipers playing these? Wouldn't surprise me - Inveraray & District simply sound "different" from all the other Class 1 bands...
What key would you suggest I get my first practice chanter in?
What brands are you looking at?
Both sound great. Hard to describe but the Macraes sp? sound fuller in tone. The tenor drones seem to blend with the chanter more. A little more blended volume. The ab4 a little more leaning toward the bass drone with the tenors not as full? Both sound good but With closed eyes I tend to favor the Macraes.
I am of the same opinion as Erik Leiken... I was expecting the MacCrae pipes to be superior, but I prefer the tone of the McCallums... And the bass seems to be tuning a bit higher on the pin too, which I also prefer.
I loved both sets. I'm refraining from adding my comments so as to not color others' opinions. But both are fantastic instruments!
@@MattWillisBagpiper Thanks Matt, I can certainly appreciate that, in your position, it may be delicate to comment further than you did... I just offered an opinion... after listening to the recordings, and based on the sound that comes out of my computer speakers (Bose). It is only that... an opinion... not a judgment or a critique of any sort... And it just happens that Erik Leiken's comments perfectly matched my opinion on the matter, so I referred to him in my comment. Perhaps different setups would result in different perceptions... In the end, it all comes down to personal preferences... It would be interesting to compare these pipes to a Robertson replica... Thanks for posting these videos!
Hooray!
Ohh, both sets are very nice indeed! I reckon I might just go with the McCallum set as my preference, the drones I think are more harmonious and exact with the chanter, however the MacRae set to me maybe has more character. A technical sound vs an artistic sound, and I am kind of going with technical. Perhaps I am soulless? 😂.
Which metranome app are you using on your watch? I can see it flashing. Is it a samsung watch?
That's the Soundbrenner wearable metronome: ua-cam.com/video/KCSDNs2crLs/v-deo.html
what is with the flashing watch it that a metronome?
Review on that right here! ua-cam.com/video/KCSDNs2crLs/v-deo.html
When listening to side by side comparisons like this what should I be listening for? How can I train my ear to tell the difference? Thanks in advance.
That's the fun of it all, trying to suss out the subtle differences between the two. DOes one seem louder? More present? Is one "warmer"? Another brighter? There is no right answer, simply how you perceive each instrument.
@@MattWillisBagpiper Thanks for the fast reply. I will practice on this video and see what I notice. My first impression is that the MacRae’s sounded fuller. I’ve had 3 sets of McCallum’s over the years. I am currently pipeless, so scoping out the MacRae’s for my next set. I was given a recommendation of Perter Henderson Heritage set..so I will have to listen to that one too. Thanks again for the reply. I was wondering what I’ve been missing all these years. Have a great evening and a great week ahead.
Thanks for doing this particular set of pipes comparison. My MacRae SL2 have been ordered and is on its way!
They look like my Pakistan bag pipes I know I bought well. When I figure out what fits and where I bet they are quality.
Please Matt, I should be very thankful if you can tell me if the sound of drones are different in the McCallum different models AB1, AB2…etc.
The thing is I am thinking seriously to get as soon as possible a Blackwood McCallum bagpipes with a Chanter McC2 solo….what do you think?
Thanks very much in advance.
( I am working now with a Delrin Bagpipes from Bagpipes Galore, with a Chanter at 456/458 Hz, and using Selbie’s drone reeds set, then I have to tune drones too above the tuning pin, hemp line)
The various McCallum models all sound the same, it's just the exterior decoration that changes. They're MacRae line has a different sound and bore, but all the other McCallums are made to the same specs. Hope this helps!
@@MattWillisBagpiper Thanks very much indeed….of course you helped me a lot…and thanks very much for your really good and instructional videos!,,,
I love my old AB4's I am biased to mccallums😀
How would the MacRae’s go with Balance Tone HR reeds? Opinions please…
I tried a Balance Tone bass in my MacRaes and didn't care for it. Much preferred an Ezeedrone inverted bass. That said, I LOVE the Balance Tone bass in my Henderson Heritage pipes...
I like them both but I don’t play McCallums or Macraes I play Henderson’s and MacLellans!!
I have the SL4’s
Mit anderen Drone Reeds und einem guten Lederbag kann man aus beiden Pipes noch wesentlich mehr Sound rausbekommen als hier gehört. Natürlich nur dann wenn man keine Ventile im Beutel hat.
I couldnt detect a significant Tone difference to either. With the bags being different. Are they also different sizes?
Ive only ever played a canmore medium. But just ordered a canmore medium extended. Literally dont know what type of difference that will be.
The Canmore is a medium. The Gannoway is an extended medium. Felt pretty similar to me.
Very interesting ,but i prefer MacCallum.What's the name of the last tune on the vídeo? Greetings.
“All the Blue Bonnets Are Over the Border” bit.ly/BlueBonnets
@@MattWillisBagpiper thanks a lot :-)
I have a set of McCallums which I love, but I think I prefererred the MacRaes here.
I loved both sets. I'm refraining from adding my comments so as to not color others' opinions. But both are fantastic instruments!
@@MattWillisBagpiper it could just be that I 'want' a set of MacRaes, although I don't 'need' a set!
The biggest difference in sound, to my ears at least, comes from your change of orientation in relation to the microphone.
Like when you are listening to a pibroch record and you can hear the piper walking in circles!
That's always one of my favorite things about live piobaireachd recordings. :) I ended up liking these MacRaes enough I bought them (as in this very set)...
Stuart Little...? Oh -- Liddell.
Does he get that a lot? Or only from Texans? 😅
I'm sure he gets in constantly... Just like how I used to always get "Are you related to Bruce Willis?"
From now on your name is McMatt MacWillis
Thanks, The McGiver!
@@MattWillisBagpiper hehe
Unless the bags were identical and they were not, you can't compare and it was very clear the MacRae's had a deeper bass drone, but it is possible that is because the bag was not the same. Bags Matter.
MacRae's have a better blend.
Ya'll need your ears tested the Mccallums are a much more sweet and bolder sound by far
That's why it's nice to have options. I loved them both. Great instruments!
Sounds like my mccallum p0.
I like the McCraes, but that may be because I own a set.
The MacDouble
Ha!
I thought Mc Rae more Brilliant.
McRaes sound more stable
Wow! My plastic McCallums that I use for parades sound better than both!
McCallum poly pipes are great, but I don't know if I'd go that far. Care to post a video to prove?
I use both the McCallum polys and the MacRae. I find the MacRae to be a richer sounds and the polys belt it out in a good way. It may be partly that they have different set ups. Polys are excellent pub and sporting event pipes. The MacRaes are lovely for solo playing.