S.E. Thile Pipes

About Me
I am a piano tuner-technician and piano rebuilder by trade, as well as a musician. I love music and I find musical instruments and the materials they are made from beautiful and fascinating. The musicians, and the musical forms and compositions I work with are a great inspiration to me. I hope to use musical elements and themes as inspiration in my pipe making. I also hope to use some exotic instrument materials as accents in my pipes.
About my Dreams
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For many years I dreamed of making my own pipe one day, and I finally did. It was christened as Etude #1, The Piano Tuner's Pipe. Many flaws and mistakes of course, but a wonderful and rewarding experience. I was hooked! New to pipe making, but loving it with a passion, and dedicating nearly every spare moment to either making pipes of my own, or studying the techniques and artistry of master pipe makers. My hope is to one day be among that elite group. For now, I'm hoping to soon be considered among the up and coming.
I'm essentially self-taught, but with constant help and feedback from members of the pipmakersforum.com. An amazing resource, several of the members are true masters of the craft, and amazingly generous in passing on their gifts to the rest of us. 
* To see available pipes and get more information, please visit my website: S. E. Thile Pipes
About my Pipes
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S.E.Thile Bulldog, Opus2-57 | A Sextet, Courtesy, Smokingpipes.com | S.E.Thile Freehand Egg
About Interviews
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The following is from Bear Grave's Blog on SmokingPipes.com Introducing Scott Thile, Bear's Interview and Post-Interview:
thumb|200px|S.E.Thile Freehand Volcano, FH99
thumb|200px|S.E.Thile Freehand Dublin, FH47
thumb|200px|S.E.Thile Freehand Poker, Boxwood accent, FH71
I think it’s safe to say that I never have, nor ever will be accused of being a “Will Rogers”. I have met men that I didn’t like and, though damned few, I have met pipe carvers with personalities that left me wondering how they could give away a stick of gum, much less sell a $1000(+) pipe. That said, the overwhelming majority of pipe artisans that I have known/interviewed, I have at least felt an affinity with, some (especially upon greater exposure) I have found to be incredibly cool to the point that it felt like I had discovered a kindred spirit. Then I began talking to a pipemaker, whom, within the first 45 minutes of what turned out to be about eight hours of conversation, I perceived such a degree of brotherhood, that it felt like I could burst into a room with a satchel, breathlessly blurt “Hide this!!”, run out, and know (after 5-7 years, 3 with good behavior) that the only change in its condition would be a patina of dust. That pipemaker is Scott Thile and, contrary to the Leo Durocher misquote, this is one nice guy that will never finish last.
Being the only person attached to marketing who was so out of touch with today’s pipe circuit that he didn’t know who Scott was, made me a natural candidate to conduct a ‘new to us’ interview. Having no preconceptions about the maker reduces the chance of subconsciously skewing questions in a manner that would emphasize preconceived strengths and downplay perceived weaknesses, in both the man and his craft.
While, in theory, it’s the interviewer’s job to rapidly establish a sense of ease, from the start it was Scott’s geniality and enthusiasm that set the tone for relaxed conversation. Scott began smoking a pipe because an older colleague whom he admired, Charles Wheeler, smoked one and it seemed ‘incredibly cool’. Mr. Wheeler smoked Dunhill's 'My Mixture 965' and (thus) so did Scott, and '965' is still a staple in Thile's tobacco rotation today (Note: Actually, I'm pretty sure it was Dunhill 10, long since unavailable except for one coveted and vacuum sealed packet from my good friend, Michael DiCuccio's extensive tpbacco collection --sethile (talk) 09:54, 26 April 2018 (CDT)). It wasn't until 2004 that the idea of carving a pipe started to have some appeal; being an adroit woodworker, pipe carving seemed like a natural extension of already present talents. ...In the tradition of most aspiring American carvers, he started with a kit, and (again) like most first time carvers, he was horrified with the outcome. [I'm afraid I must correct Bear here, because I took some pride in the ugly pipe I made not being from a kit. It was painstakingly drilled from a block on drill press using a modified vice I designed and built with the help of my friend Jim Barnet using a modified spade bit from Pimo, along with their tenon turning tool, which I used on a pre-molded stem. I faced the shank with a forstner bit. The mortise and draft hole were drilled with spur tipped wood drills] --sethile (talk) 09:54, 26 April 2018 (CDT)). Scott, as I would soon come to find out, is a man who understands where his strengths lie, and he had little doubt that those strengths would eventually produce fine smoking instruments. Though his training has been largely autodidactic, Thile has spent time with Todd Johnson and Bruce Weaver and cites Todd and Adam Davidson as influences (Note: I'd be surprised if I left them out, but I should certainly have also mentioned Jeff Gracik and Brad Pohlmann as major influences as well --sethile (talk) 09:54, 26 April 2018 (CDT). When asked what overarching aesthetic holds the most influence/fascination for his inner artist, Scott's answer was as interesting as it was succinct, "The Danish neo-classics as interpreted by the North American greats."
By the end of what (usually) would have constituted as the only interview, I had his basic biographical history, insights about his craft, visions as a pipemaker, plus a pleasantly daunting list of additional interests and passions which eerily coincided with mine. It turned out that we were within a couple of months of the same age, as enthusiastic about acoustic jazz as we were ambivalent about its ‘smooth’ cousin, and started smoking a pipe within about 45 days of each other. On a lark, as something of a fun test question to discover just how close some of our thinking processes worked, I asked. “Stuck in traffic, you notice a huge truck in front of you with a personalized license plate that reads “Stud19”. What’s your first thought?” “That there are another 18 idiots out there with ‘Stud” on their license plates?” Oh yeah, a fellow traveler on the highway of Snark. In addition, I came away with a ton of cool (and usable!) tidbits. Things like he has played the bass since he was young, continues to keep his hand in as a professional even today, and his son (Chris) is a very gifted mandolin player.
Thus armed, I came in the next morning, chest already puffing in anticipation of the praise that would be heaped on my head for the INCREDIBLE amount and quality of intel that I had gleaned from Scott. It was during the wait for the marketing meeting that my confidence started to shake and, of course, it was Adam with the jackhammer. “It turns out that Scott’s son is quite the talent with a mandolin” Adam reached into his desk and flipped a CD at me titled “Yo-Yo-Ma & Friends: Songs of Joy and Peace” Upon opening the trifold cover, there’s Chris Thile in the middle panel, holding his mandolin, surrounded by Diana Krall, “Sweet Baby” James Taylor, Allison Krauss, Renée Fleming, Josh Redman, Dave Brubeck…. “Oh Chris also has an impressive list of Grammy awards and nominations, and became a MacArthur Fellow in 2012 (think “John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation”) (cack!) “Well… did you know that Scott’s also a professional bass player?” “Google ‘Nickelcreek’, Bear” God help me, I did. (Channeling Ricky Ricardo) “Scoootty… choo gots some ‘splaning’ to dooo”
Then came the marketing meeting. Ted: “Took a look at the notes, pretty good job Bear. I think that you should also include that Scott Thile started and has maintained Pipedia at considerable personal cost and labor” (Pipedia: the number one repository of pipe knowledge in the world, a priceless resource from which I stolen… erm, ‘researched’ a fair amount of information, and yet never took the time to find out who created the treasure). “I think that level of passion and selfless support to the pipe community is something all of our customers can get behind”. Now sporting what Vietnam vets referred to as the “thousand meter stare”, I replied something like “Yup, mmmhmm, that they would”, and added “Call Scott” to my must-do list.
“Hey Bear, how the hell are ya doing?” “Pipedia” “Sure, what about it?” “You started and have maintained it” “Well… yeah” “Why didn’t you mention that?” “You didn’t ask” (…..) “You played bass on a CD that went Platinum and was nominated for two Grammys” “Only for a couple of tracks, and they never sent me the Platinum Award” (Note: Accurate at the time, but they finally did send it, and it's cool! --sethile (talk) 09:54, 26 April 2018 (CDT)). “Before we debate the merits of the designated pitcher, are you either; a: A Nobel Laureate, b: A leading cancer researcher with a major breakthrough awaiting FDA approval or C: An ultra-secret, high level ambassador who, unbeknownst to the world, has been manipulating the delicate threads which have kept the peace between the superpowers for decades?” (laughing) “No, no, and I’m a pipe maker”. “One more question?” “Shoot” “Are we still going to “meet for a beer and talk sedition”?” “You bet!” (Note: Bear, if you ever read this... We've yet to meet in person, I still owe you a beer or two, and the World needs us to work out a few rough spots right now. Please get in touch! --sethile (talk) 09:54, 26 April 2018 (CDT) ;)
Please don’t misunderstand, I was the cocky pratt who walked into a marketing meeting with only a partial glimpse of the immense talent that laid within a remarkable man and, to my mind, Scott’s combination of natural modesty and ‘just is’ mindset makes him all that more exceptional. After more than 33 years of association with pipe retail, I can declare that collectors will naturally gravitate to the carvers who not only create magnificent pipes, but who are extremely likable as well. Having described Thile’s work and having talked extensively with the man himself, I’m quite confident that this already popular carver will become a universal favorite. Bear Graves: Media & Content Specialist
About Podcast
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Welcome to the 10th weekly episode of the Pipes Magazine Radio Show. Our featured guest tonight is Scott Thile. Scott makes high grade pipes under his S. E. Thile Pipes brand name, and unbeknownst to many, he is also the founder of Pipedia.org. As if that’s not enough, he is also a piano tuner and musician. We hope you enjoy our 10th show on Thanksgiving 2012.
* You may also like to listen to Brian Levine's interview with Scott on the PipesMagazine.com Radio Show
About Pipe Shows
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* See more pictures about the pipes made for the show here: S.E. Thile Pipes Workshop
* If you want to take a tour of the workshop, please visit the website: S.E. Thile Pipes - Workshop Tour
About Early Three Pipe Set & 2010 Christmas Pipes
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 On the left are the 2010 Christmas Pipes, the first year of the tradition, and the only year with the pipes being different shapes. And on the right is a three pipe commissioned set of three large smooth pipes with matching boxwood accents.
About Several Christmas Pipes and Trucks
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Some years ago, I started a tradition of making pipes for my three sons at Christmastime, and then added a Christmas Truck to the tradition for my Grandson. Several years I added pens made from briar and ebonite with accents matching those used in the pipes so I could include my father and mother in homemade gifting, while trying to foster a unified theme throughout the items. Some years are more successful than others ;) --sethile (talk) 09:54, 26 April 2018 (CDT) .
File:Thile-2011ChristmasPipes.jpg|2011 Christmas Pipes
File:Thile-2013ChristmasPipes.JPG||2013 Christmas Pipes (You'll not a bamboo shank snuck in here. That was from breaking off a shank, and turned into a Christmas pipe for me that year!
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File:Thile-2016ChristmasTruck&Pipes&Tampers.jpg|2016 Christmas Pipes & Truck, first year of the truck, made of Briar, Ebony Ebonite, and Maple & Mahogany instrument neck stock. One pipe's accent and tamper are Maple, to match the truck, due to being the father of my Grandson... 
File:Thile-2017ChristmasTruck&Pipe.jpg|2017 Christmas Pipe & Truck 
File:Thile-2017ChristmasTruckDetail.jpg|2017 Christmas Truck Detail
File:Thile-2017ChristmasTruckDetail2.jpg|2017 Christmas Truck Detail
File:Thile-2017ChristmasTruckDetail3.jpg|2017 Christmas Truck, Mahogony, Walnut, Oak, Quarter Sawn Maple, and Zebra wood (Scrap and reclaimed)
File:Thile-2017ChristmasPipePair.jpg|2017 Christmas Pipe Pair, Zebra wood accents to match the truck this year
File:Thile-2011ChristmasPipeDetail.jpg|2011 Christmas Pipe Detail
File:Thile-2017ChristmasPipe.jpg|2017 Christmas Pipe Detail
File:Thile-2016ChristmasPipe&Tamper.jpg|2016 Christmas Pipe & Tamper Detail, accent and tamper are Zebra wood
File:Thile-2015ChristmasPipes.JPG|2015 Christmas Pipes
File:Thile-2015ChristmasPipeDetail.jpg|2015 Christmas Pipe Detail
File:Thile-2014ChristmasPipes.JPG|2014 Christmas Pipes (the dreaded year of lens flare photography) 
File:Thile-2014ChristmasPipeDetail.JPG|2014 Christmas Pipe Detail
File:Thile-2013ChristmasPipeDetail.JPG|2013 Christmas Pipe Detail, Celluloid Ivory accent
File:Thile-2012ChristmasPipes.JPG|2012 Christmas Pipes
File:Thile-2012ChristmasPipeDetail.JPG|2012 Christmas Pipe Detail
About Contact Information
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<revive zone="6" align="right" caption="A selection of S.E.Thile pipes are available at Pipedia Underwriter, Pipes2Smoke.com" />
 S.E.THILE Handmade Pipes 
 1205 Doran Rd., Murray, KY 42071, USA
 Phone: 270-853-3312 | E-mail: mailto:sethile.pipes@gmail.com
 Pipes available through Scott's Website, SmokingPipes.com, and Pipes2Smoke.com
*German language article - Neu auf Pipedia: Die erste Seite in deutscher Sprache ist in Arbeit! Scott Thile.de
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Category: Pipe makers by nationalityCategory: United States