I've seen pipes that look a LOT worse than those .
I'm fairly certain that one of the reasons to use pipes in a military band was (at least, originally) to frighten your enemy. Not only the noise part, but the, "They're playing a [insert animal here]'s internal organs!" point. That'd frighten me, at least.
FWIW, the ugliest horn I've ever played in actual performances was a Conn New Wonder bare-brass baritone sax. It had a few keys replaced with keywork from a completely different instrument, which contrasted badly with the green, orange and red rust.
I'm fairly certain that one of the reasons to use pipes in a military band was (at least, originally) to frighten your enemy. Not only the noise part, but the, "They're playing a [insert animal here]'s internal organs!" point. That'd frighten me, at least.
FWIW, the ugliest horn I've ever played in actual performances was a Conn New Wonder bare-brass baritone sax. It had a few keys replaced with keywork from a completely different instrument, which contrasted badly with the green, orange and red rust.