Pipehacker 2011 Holiday Bagpipe Gift Guide—Black Friday Edition by Vince Janoski

If there’s something pipers love more than a good tune and a pint, it is stuff. And what better way to get stuff than to ask Santa Claus come the 25th of December? I mean, who wants to be out in retail stores the day after Thanksgiving? Not this piper, I assure you. That doesn’t [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

This Week in Ebay Bagpipe Finds by Vince Janoski

You just never know what you might find… Here is a “vintage” solo bagpiping medal from-a-way-on-back in 1987. Silver, so second place to a lucky guy or gal! The medal even comes with an embossed bagpiper and engraving on the back with the year. Ah, remember the days when you used to get custom medals [...]

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. [...]

This Week in Ebay Bagpipe Finds by Vince Janoski

Ebay is a great place to find enterprising pipehackers hawking their latest creation. A casual search will usually turn up a thingamajig that defies explanation or can leave you speechless. Behold the Bagpipe Mute. I think we’ve all seen a piper or three who could stand to be heard less. At least their hands will [...]

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 [...]