Bagpipe Supplies

Abstract

A small list of bagpipe products that I like to use, and thoughts about them.

• Bags
  • Gannaway hide. Good stiff bag with great shape and traditional tie in. Working great for me. The dressing is fine (compared to smelly sheepskin seasoning), and it washes right off with warm water.
  • Bannatyne extended small bag (9.5 x 26.5") bottom zip. The bottom zip makes this the best synthetic bag.
  • Jack Lee sheepskin premium. Great but expensive. My second one lasted a long time, but eventually the grommet corner failed, as the bag cannot be made with a traditional tie in.
• Tie in wrapping tape
  • Self fusing silicone tape: ie Rescue tape / Duck wrap-fix. This is great for wrapping over top of the metal clamps that come with some bags.
• Blowpipe tubing
  • Silicone tubing, food grade, 1" OD, 3/4" ID. Needs a plastic elbow joint to prevent kinking
  • Standard cpap hose, 19mm ID (discard the 22mm connectors)
• Moose Valve
  • This valve is an improvement over the traditional flapper valve, it sits protected in the stock. So, the blowpipe can be removed to dry in a case without fear of damaging the flapper.
• Trap-Dri moisture collector
  • This goes inside a moisture tube, and aids in the condensation of vapor passing through it
• Softybits teeth protectors
• Hemp
  • Maine thread company, waxed cord. Size 30, or in the 25-35 range for an alternate wraps.
  • Yellow waxed is better than black, due to the size
• Chanter tape
  • 3M Vynl tape 471, in half inch or three eigths widths
• Case
  • Pelican 1525, no foam. Use a couple small size towels to wrap and cushion the drones.
  • Some people prefer the 1535 which is a similar inside dimensions, but with wheels and and handle. I like the lighter weight of the 1525, I don’t feel that the wheels are worth it.
  • There is also the 1510, which is basically the 1535, but even heavier, worse clasps, but slightly cheaper.

Drone reeds

• MG White mamba
  • Good, sometimes hard to get flat enough in my athertons.
  • Pins might need to be drilled out
• Kinnaird
  • These are really good, especially the edge version, which helps get the right settings for my athertons.
• Canning
  • Great, tend to soak in moisture
  • Small tongues very hard to adjust
  • Haven’t tried blue ones