magick777 Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 So, I'm still sitting here agonising over what, where and when to order, I'm not convinced that what I am proposing to do makes financial sense, and I'd like some input and/or a sense check from those who have gone through the same decisions. I mentioned in a previous thread that I'm looking at upgrading an old Egyptian style pipe. So far, I've put together a provisional order for a washable hose, a Vortex bowl, spare grommet, ball bearing, cleaning brushes, new tongs, diffuser and a wind cover, the total of which comes to £41 (before shipping). Doesn't include a tray so my total overhaul cost (admittedly including a couple of accessories) is going to be closer to £50. I am resistant to the whole idea of buying a new pipe when I could service the existing one, but I'm starting to think I might be wrong. For £55, I could get a brand new pipe, 35" tall, comes with the same washable hose I was proposing to buy, and it has nothing but 5-star reviews (one of [url="http://www.theshishashop.com/black-premium-kynmr-nammor-arabic-calligraphy-88cm-hookah-pipe-p-637.html?osCsid=7c140358ac61924ecd827c2b54e00f87"]these[/url]), and with it comes brush, tongs, spare bowls etc. Admittedly, that doesn't get me a Vortex bowl or a diffuser, but I guess that can wait. What do people think? What would you do? How many of you own multiple pipes, and how much use do they get? Part of me still sees buying a new pipe as wasteful, as admitting defeat; part of me sees it as the pragmatic thing to do, and part of me thinks if I can't make my bloody mind up soon then maybe I should just do nothing and live with the imperfections of the pipe I've got. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genie Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 Based on everything you've said, I'd shoot for a new pipe, and I'd ask your vendor if they could upgrade you to the bowl you want and the diffuser you want--you might be able to get a bit of a discount on them (or get them free altogether). I don't need six pipes, but having three has been great. A small one for travel, a larger one for company (or a more luxurious session), and then my 21" Mya for just myself. Nothing wrong with having an extra pipe on hand. Two would have been more than enough for me but I still use all three that I have, none are wasted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agunn1231 Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 i have 11 hookahs. 9 of which get regular use. the others, i need to do some work on, then they will get regular use too. I personally would not get a diffuser, they don't make much of a difference, but do quiet the pipe a bit. but that is ultimately yoour choice. if you get the new hookah, you can make the adjustments to your old one down the road, when better options may be available at the same cost for you. I have been in this situation, and have usually gotten the new hookah instead because of lazyness. Now I have quite a collection, and i know the changes i need to make to my other pipes, and still have some to use while i work on the other ones. Sorry if thats confusing, i am getting sleepy and have a killer head ache Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispy Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 I'd say if you want to start a collection get a new piece. If you want to make your currently piece more fun and exciting upgrade it! I have on mini, for myself and just split a 32in rotating with my friends as the "party hookah" Personally I would just upgrade so you can enjoy you're current piece longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magick777 Posted January 4, 2011 Author Share Posted January 4, 2011 Thanks guys... it all supports the conclusion that a new pipe is probably not a bad idea, it means I can take my sweet time about upgrading the old one and do what's cheap and convenient. Think I'll get in touch with the retailer and see what they can do... the stock price includes herbal molasses & quick light coals that I don't want, so perhaps I can talk them into giving me some useful spares instead. That is a timely opinion on the diffuser - my pipe is sometimes prone to becoming a bit harsh and I thought I might give it a try, but the retailer I'm buying from is overpriced on the diffusers... if I put that off until I happen to be ordering from Germany, I can pick one up and try it for a quarter of the UK price. Based on your comments, I'm not going to make it a priority. So I guess it's time for a new pipe, less of the accessories, and see where we go from there. I kinda figured that I might get talked into that idea :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magick777 Posted January 4, 2011 Author Share Posted January 4, 2011 Thanks guys... it all supports the conclusion that a new pipe is probably not a bad idea, it means I can take my sweet time about upgrading the old one and do what's cheap and convenient. Think I'll get in touch with the retailer and see what they can do... the stock price includes herbal molasses & quick light coals that I don't want, so perhaps I can talk them into giving me some useful spares instead. That is a timely opinion on the diffuser - my pipe is sometimes prone to becoming a bit harsh and I thought I might give it a try, but the retailer I'm buying from is overpriced on the diffusers... if I put that off until I happen to be ordering from Germany, I can pick one up and try it for a quarter of the UK price. Based on your comments, I'm not going to make it a priority. So I guess it's time for a new pipe, less of the accessories, and see where we go from there. I kinda figured that I might get talked into that idea :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agunn1231 Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 if you snoop around the how to section there should be stuff on easy home made diffusers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noodle Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 (edited) [quote name='agunn1231' timestamp='1294130158' post='493287'] i have 11 hookahs. 9 of which get regular use. the others, i need to do some work on, then they will get regular use too. I personally would not get a diffuser, they don't make much of a difference, but do quiet the pipe a bit. but that is ultimately yoour choice. if you get the new hookah, you can make the adjustments to your old one down the road, when better options may be available at the same cost for you. I have been in this situation, and have usually gotten the new hookah instead because of lazyness. Now I have quite a collection, and i know the changes i need to make to my other pipes, and still have some to use while i work on the other ones. Sorry if thats confusing, i am getting sleepy and have a killer head ache [/quote] Over on the briar pipe forums and newsgroup, we call this Pipe Acquisition Disorder, or PAD. The chief symptom is a large inventory of pipes. Few people actually suffer from it. They enjoy every moment. Edited January 4, 2011 by noodle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chreees Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 Hmmm hard choice. I'd say it comes down to how much you love your current pipe and how badly you want that new one. I like the new one, it's pretty nice. It looks like a Magdy Zaidan with a Nammor hose. Nammor hoses are good, and if that is an MZ, they're good too. But if it isn't I'm sure it's still a good pipe regardless. But yes, how badly do you want to fix your old one? And how badly do you want a new one? That's what it comes down to. Also, you can just go ahead and get the new one, then fix the old one later on down the road. I think that's what I'd do, personally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magick777 Posted January 4, 2011 Author Share Posted January 4, 2011 Well, I have finally reached a decision, and ordered the new pipe. I like my existing pipe, it has sentimental value, and it will be maintained & improved rather than just wasted. My only problem with it is that it does not smoke as well, or for as long, or with as much flavour as I would ideally like - and the charcoal tray is too small when one moves to natural coals. The issues are functional rather than aesthetic; the new pipe is not so much an object of desire as the most practical option. Oh, and it's also an object of desire as well, so that's a bonus. I see it as a step towards fixing the current pipe, too - it gives me the chance to evaluate a Vortex bowl and a washable hose on the old pipe and see what difference it makes, before deciding whether to duplicate those components for that pipe, and to make an evaluation of the old stem. I like the safety of this approach, and I've only spent £14 more than I'd have spent on parts and accessories for the old pipe. I've had a word with theshishashop and they've agreed to dump the stuff I don't need and upgrade me to a Vortex bowl, so the whole shebang comes to £61 incl. delivery. Which is only £14 more than I might have spent on doing half a job of the current pipe. I'm actually quite relieved to have come to a decision; when I say that this has been bothering me for a couple of days, it really has, and I'm now fairly content that buying a new pipe at the upper end of the range of a respected UK retailer sounds like a safe bet. Thank you to all for your input. I'll post the relevant reviews at such time as the pipe arrives... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chreees Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 I believe you made a wise decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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