Chanter Reed Selection—The Match-Up by Vince Janoski

The ideal bagpipe sound starts with selecting the ideal chanter reed. Obvious? It is not always as easy as it seems. Personal preferences and taste coupled with what amounts to unlimited choice in makers and quality of chanter reed makes that initial task of selecting your ideal reed a bit more daunting. But unlimited choice [...]

Chanter Reed Selection—The Physical Exam by Vince Janoski

The ideal bagpipe sound starts with selecting the ideal chanter reed. Obvious? It is not always as easy as it seems. Personal preferences and taste coupled with what amounts to unlimited choice in makers and quality of chanter reed makes that initial task of selecting your ideal reed a bit more daunting. But unlimited choice [...]

Pipehacker Project: Waxing Hemp-ish by Vince Janoski

Having well hemped joints on your bagpipe is a critical part of a well set-up and efficient instrument. The hemp used should use a good amount of black wax as a base with plenty of wraps of waxed hemp to finish it off. The wax regulates moisture absorption as well as keeps the hemp adhered [...]

Pipehacker Tip: Use a Spare Bagpipe Bag Cover in the Off-Season by Vince Janoski

Would you mow your lawn or clean your house in your good suit? Of course not. You have an old T-shirt and some work pants for that kind of thing, something you don’t mind getting dirty. But pipers do this all the time when we play our nice, clean bag covers during our non-performing times. [...]

From the Archive: Basics of Chanter Reed Manipulation Part 1—The Lick by Andrew Douglas

Ed. Note: Now is the time when many pipe bands are outfitting their pipe corps with new chanter reeds for the big contests to come. Here is a post from last year that will help. —————- Ok, Reed Manipulation. A HUGE topic for pipers. First off, I would like to say that this is a [...]

The Salvaged Wood Smallpipe by Vince Janoski

Fellow bagpipe addict and pipehacker-in-training Johnny L. stopped by for a visit recently and he is the first recipient of the “Pipehacker DIYB award.” OK, I made that last part up, but he should win something since he has performed ultimate pipehacking and created sets of sleek and minimalist moutblown smallpipes using nothing but a [...]

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4 Steps to Revive Dead Chanter Reeds by Vince Janoski

Never chuck a good reed. A good chanter reed that has served you well may still do so even after it has dried out or turned “wimpy.” As long as it has no damage and is not in a state of decomposition, the reed can be revived and brought back to its former glory for [...]

Pipehacker Tools: Custom Leather Craft Zippered Clip-On Bags by Vince Janoski

I would say it is a tossup: Hunters and construction workers have all the coolest gear these days. All sorts of problems are solved with a neat pack, case, strap, or something. Witness these Mossy Oak Zippered Clip-On Bags from Custom Leather Craft. In the mix of all of those bags and satchels is this [...]