I need to get a new bag. The L & M’s and Mc Harg’s are great, but seem to only be available in brown. Aesthetically, black would look better with the set, and I prefer the feel of leather 
without a fabric bag cover.
Does anyone make a black leather bag with a long enough neck for a flat set, preferably stiched? I could tie it in myself.
I have discussed this with quite a few other pipers who share this desire. I’m wondering if one of our pipemakers who is an L & M dealer could look into having a batch made in black?
Or, has anyone had any luck dyeing or staining a leather bag and not had it all come off on your clothes?
Thanks all.
Black leather?
My first thought is to try a place that makes trenchcoats. Possibly a store that sells used goods… we often call them thrift store, Red White & Blue store, second hand store. We talked about this for popping straps before and not bags.
Typically, that type of leather is thinner and not airtight for Uilleann Pipe bags. You would have to have it lined before you sew the bag together. I had an orange brown bag from Australia that was bonded with an airtight material… probably looked like Tyvek or nylon. Very airtight, didn’t need seasoning.
The bag on my concert set is black suede/leather. I got it, along with the drones and regulators, from Nick Whitmer who has them made by Mark Cushing. Here’s a link to information on these bags from Nick’s website:
http://www.lightlink.com/nwhitmer/detailpipes.html#bag
You should email Nick to see if he can supply a black bag as he also uses brown bags.
NPU were selling bags in black a while ago. I think they were by L&M. It might be worth your while talking to them and seeing what they say.
Did you see the recent thread about bag covers? Really good quality looking items for a very reasonable rate.
Pat.
Jackie Boyce in Comber County Down makes black bags.
http://www.iol.ie/~ipba/supplies.html#JACKIE%20BOYCE%20PIPE%20BAG%20MAKER%20AND%20SUPPLIER
I have a Ray Sloan Bag at present which is black also.
Cheers
Ferg