My name’s Michael Casey, and I am a maker of bellows-blown smallpipes, working from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. My focus is on building instruments that are warm in tone, stable in tuning, and genuinely enjoyable to play — whether for home practice, session playing, or performance.
My journey into piping began at a young age and has been shaped by generous teachers, fellow pipers, and skilled makers who shared both their knowledge and their love of the instrument. Those early influences still guide my approach today: patience, attention to detail, and a strong respect for tradition, balanced with innovation.
All of my smallpipes are handmade, from the turning and boring of the timber to the final voicing and setup. Wherever possible, I use Australian hardwoods, carefully selected for their durability and acoustic qualities. Bags are a hybrid leather construction sourced from Scotland, and bellows are constructed on site using spotted gum hardwood and premium leather with an airtight synthetic membrane for reliability and comfort.
Alongside my standard smallpipe builds, I’m currently taking orders for Uilleann-styled smallpipes in the keys of A, and C, which include a contra-bass designed to play a full octave below the standard bass drone. This gives three octaves to the drone bank. These instruments are designed to offer the depth, presence, and character associated with Uilleann piping, while retaining the accessibility and compact nature of smallpipes. It has been an exciting project, bringing together ideas from both traditions in a way that feels musically practical and expressive.
I make my own reeds in-house, including brass-bodied drone reeds and synthetic chanter reeds. This allows me to voice each set as a complete instrument rather than a collection of parts, ensuring good balance, steady pressure, and an ease of playing that supports both developing and experienced pipers.
In addition to building instruments, I offer a personal, ongoing service to players. This includes consultation during the build process, setup advice, and continued support once the instrument is in the player’s hands. I believe a good set of pipes should feel like a partnership between maker and piper, and I’m always happy to help with advice on adjustments, maintenance, or general questions.
My aim is simple: to create smallpipes that are musically satisfying, thoughtfully made, and built to be played for many years. I’m grateful to be part of a piping community that values craftsmanship, shared knowledge, and the living tradition of the instrument.
michaelcaseybagpipes.com 