by CHRIS APPS
In 1991 I sat myself down in the only room of my tiny cottage – in front of the fire as we had no central heating – and taught myself how to make bagpipe reeds. It was 1991 and the recession had hit Britain. I was one of many who had been made redundant. I was 29. I’m now 63. I’m tired, my spinal stenosis has progressed, and things just hurt. I am making great reeds, but I can no longer get out and about for workshops and Highland games. The time has come for me to teach someone else all I know so that I might retire and relax for a bit.
I make a lot of reed adjustment videos, but I have never taught anyone how I make Apps reeds. The time has come for me to pass on that knowledge. I need someone who shares my passion for everything bagpipes. A piper with skill, integrity, tenacity, and most important an eye for detail. Someone who will strive, as I have, to be quietly innovative and helpful to the piping community at large.
My life has been enriched by hearing others benefit from what I’ve created. I’ve never pursued having top grade bands playing my reeds. Instead, I have focused on the multitude of pipers who are passionate about bagpipes. I have listened to their needs and created reeds and accessories that address some of their issues. My reward has been hearing that someone who hasn’t played for X number of years is now able to pipe again because of something I have created and supplied – be that a super soft reed, a pressure gauge, an adjustment book, or the PitchGuard© Split Stock System. Of course, there are also my cane practice reeds. I’m the only person in the entire world keeping that tradition alive and I think it’s important that that tradition continues. I believe that someone younger, and with more business acumen than I, will be able to build great things on this base I have created over the past 34 years.
If you are someone who loves pipes, being alone, working with your hands, are quite pedantic, and interested in owning your own business please let me know. I’ve created a little package of general information as well as a questionnaire for those who are interested. It is available here on my website from today, October 1, 2025.
For my customers, please be assured that I will continue to make reeds until everything is in place for a successful transfer and the same exacting quality of the reeds you now receive.
