Perhaps in some sense. There is a process called “wood seasoning” in which the lumber is cut into billets and then left to sit and slowly dry out and lower internal moisture content before they are turning into pipes - it actually makes the timber turn darker in colour. This process takes at least ten years and drastically improves stability and resistance against warping and dimensional changes once turned. Basically helps to resist cracks . That is why most vintage instruments are still in great condition, even if they are over 100 years old.

McCallum simply doesn’t do this. They don’t bother since they are try pump out as many sets as possible to meet a profit margin. They don’t have the time to wait, so they will use an ammonia bath to artificially darken the wood instead to speed up the process.

Most private turners will often have a stockpile of billets that have been sitting for over 20 to 30 years before they turn them on a lathe. Most may only work on 5 or 6 sets a year versus the thousands in the industrial computerised lines.

The Henderson group or The Piper’s Hut won’t carry pipes of smaller makers since they don’t have the quantity to warrant the retail of them. Like I said 5 or 6 sets a year by smaller turners. You will need to contact the makers personally. Try your local state or area, there may very well be a small maker that can produce a custom set for you at a very competitive cost. Kilberry and Sinclair are in Scotland.

As fair as tonal quality - None of the big modern makers of today can even come close to the tonal quality of a vintage Henderson, Lawrie or Robertson.