Custom Swedish Bagpipes & Border Pipes │ Max Persson

Handcrafted by Max Persson – Instrument Maker Since 1998

Max Persson has been making Swedish bagpipes (Säckpipa) since 1998 and is today regarded as one of the leading makers of the instrument. Through continuous refinement of traditional Swedish bagpipe design, he has developed stable, expressive instruments available in multiple keys for both professional musicians and dedicated students.

Each Swedish säckpipa is built from Max’s own evolved design, based on historical models but improved using modern materials and precision craftsmanship. A carefully developed carbon fibre reed ensures stability, balance and the natural, expressive tone characteristic of Swedish bagpipes.

In addition to Swedish bagpipes, Max builds Border pipes with a range of 1½ octaves and an almost chromatic scale. These instruments are fitted with balanced synthetic reeds and can be made either bellows-blown or mouth-blown, depending on the player’s preference.

All instruments are handmade to order. Whether for concert performance, folk music sessions, or advanced study, each instrument is crafted to meet the musical and technical demands of the individual player.

Reeds

Modern Reeds

With a focus on tonal quality, stability and the traditional Swedish sound.

Something most bagpipers recognise is the amount of time spent tuning the reed. The traditional reed, made out of cane, reacts to moisture and can easily fall out of pitch, forcing you to adjust and re-tune. In 2004, Max set out to find a better, more stable chanter reed solution. What he created was a well balanced reed, made out of hard plastic and carbon fiber. It withstands moisture far better then the organic predecessor, with very little loss of its traditional sound.

The chanter reed can be fine-tuned with a tuning slide in the back of the tube/body, making the pitch change very easy.

Materials

High Quality Materials

My wood suppliers are in accordance with CITES regulations regarding endangered tree species. I chiefly use locally sourced, air dried woods, among which are plum wood, cherry tree, pear wood and Swedish whitebeam. More exclusive wood options available are among others curly birch, golden chain tree, boxwood, African blackwood and Mopane. Please feel free to contact me with any special order requests.
All woodwork is internally sealed to prevent any possible pores, and then externally treated with linseed oil and wax.
For detail work I use imitation tusk and bone, exclusive wood, bronze and brass.
The bags are made with vegetable-tanned Swedish leather and are sewn with thick braided nylon thread. Vegetable-tanning is a process free from any harmful chemicals, better for you and the environment!