Pipehacker Project: The Reed Capsule by Vince Janoski

Even though you now has a portable reed case (as well as minty fresh breath) you still have need to store, transport, or otherwise protect your chanter and drone reeds from the abuses of modern piping activity and travel. Those band bus rides can be brutal after all. Hell, one day there will be the [...]

Pipehacker Project: The Personal Reed Case by Vince Janoski

An enterprising bagpiper can accumulate a large number of chanter reeds over time. But once you find those choice bits of cane, what do you do with them? Active players will normally have a few good reeds going and need others close at hand. Do you keep them in a cardboard box? Store them in [...]

Pipehacker Project: The Black Strap Water Trap by Vince Janoski

Moisture to the bagpiper is like DDT to the mosquito. A build up of too much moisture in your instrument means certain death of your reeds and nothing but trouble when trying to achieve a stable sound. The preponderance of products for pipers to address moisture problems alone is a testament to the importance of [...]

Pipehacker Project: The Chanter Cap Reed Dryer by Vince Janoski

The chanter cap has become as ubiquitous a part of the pipe box as a roll of black tape. But moisture left on the reed after playing can have adverse effects while the reed is resting within that cap. Black spots of mold and general decay will shorten the life of any reed. Luckily, the [...]

Pipehacker Project: The Black Art of Black Wax by Vince Janoski

Back in the day, the gooey black bits of “cobbler’s wax” were oftentimes a melted mess in a piper’s maintenance kit awaiting their next turn at a strand of hemp. What is simply globs of pine resin and pitch (otherwise known by the scientific name “soot”), the stuff was crumbly, sticky, and infuriating at the same time but has always been ideal for sticking that first wrap of hemp on your pipe tenons. But what do you do when your chunk of black wax has crumbled to nothing?

Pipehacker Project: A Case for the Eyeglasses Drone Reed Case by Vince Janoski

Over the years, I have acquired many sets of drone reeds. Right now, I’ve got two combination sets going for solo and band playing that comprise three different makes. It has been an ongoing challenge keeping them packed safe and sound while they are not being played or transported in my pipe case.