Mike Nelson’s name does not feature frequently in discussions of pipe-makers. However, a particular instrument of his may well be the most widely appreciated set of Northumbrian pipes in existence, heard on CD, TV and in worldwide performances. That set is the one used by Kathryn Tickell.
Mike Nelson’s pipe-making book was first published in 1984. Copies then were limited in number and are now extremely hard to find except as photocopies. A website containing some of this information followed some years later and but remained dormant for some years. Fortunately, Mike has recently revised this site very extensively and it is to be found at: http://www.machineconcepts.co.uk/smallpipes/pipe1.htm#top This URL supercedes earlier versions which are still provided as links on other pipe-related sites. They may still work but link to obsolete versions of the site. This is very much a work in progress and Mike is adding to it constantly. One major addition is the provision of CAD drawings which can be vewed as 3D images. For viewing these, Mike provides a link to free viewing-software for all platforms, where chanters, as well as other components, can be examined in extraordinarily lifelike detail. There are many more static drawings and these are now in PDF format unlike the earlier DXF ones which were less widely readable. Those pipes are based on traditional models generated by Robert and James Reid in the early 19th century. However, Mike acknowledges the generous help given by modern pipe-makers and in particular, Colin Ross, in sharing information which led to the publication of the original printed version. In contrast, Mike has a related site demonstrating Northumbrian pipes devised entirely to his own designs, using the professional skills of his day-job as an engineering designer. This model uses machinable plastic and was intended to be mass-produced for use in schools where there is an interest in traditional Northumbrian music. There is a clear emphasis on reliability, robustness and ease of adjustment and the ingenuity in acheving these aims is remarkable. These pipes may be seen here: http://www.machineconcepts.co.uk/smallpipes/schoolpipes/schoolpipes.htm Both sites, and in particular the ‘traditional model’ site are expanding. It’s excellent material and I intend to return there very frequently. By the way, don’t ask Mike to make you a set of pipes. He’s provided this information so that you can make your own. Or persuade someone else to do so! However, he’s happy to field questions about making or information on the site. Francis To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
