OK, I know this isn’t a new topic, but I thought I’d post in case someone’s had some kind of epiphany recently.
Anyone stumbled onto any particularly suitable pipe cases lately? I’m looking to house a B set. I think I am going to go out next week into the land of gun and photography stores (I am sure to find the former here in Houston) and see what I can come up with . . .
But if anyone knows anything particularly cool, please share.
Thanks.
Stuart
I first had a Uilleann pipes cases Made by Savage and Hoy in England made from fibreglass, colour black, padding lined with crushed velvet, strong leather handle and locks/keys.
Sizes 31” x 11” x 5” and 33” x 13.5” x 6” contact Graham Spencer graham@savagehoy.com Cillian Ó Briain Dave William and Charles Roberts have these cases and used by many pipe player both uilleann and Northumbrian pipers.
I now use Andreas Rogge case www.uilleann-pipes.de for my Full set C, B, D chanter plus Low A G and high C B Bb E D whistles
NPU sell cases also http://www.pipers.ie/shop/detail.lasso?SKU=306
Stu, I use a double shotgun case that is 51"long. That should do it. In the long run you’re probably better off to get a custom-made case. Look up people who do custom guitar cases in your area. Actually, TO has a great supplier of materials for custom cases: https://www.tchweb.com/cgi-bin/TCH2.storefront/
This may get expensive if you intend to get a case for the chair as well as the pipes, however.
djm
I use this guy
http://members.tripod.com/stevoranger/
he advertizes them as guitar cases, but you trace your pipes (fully assembled, with the slides all the way extended) and he makes the interior fit the pipes. Best part is, you never even have to knock your drones out of tune to put them away, never mind this nonsense about loose bass reg reeds floating around… 
Your choice in shotgun cases is between the breakdown (guns and pipes)34" case (the NPU/Froment case) or extended case 51-52".
Depth (4" minimum) is an issue, as is width (whatever works best for you but some are VERY wide).
Easy to find these online or on eBAY.
Whne my pipes were about to be delivered I had a flighcase custom made it’s 27 inches long 9 wide and 6.5 deep fits the full C set and bellows and they won’t knock about in it. For the B you’d need something slightly bigger but I 'd think it’s the way to go it’s as solid as anything and at the time cost me [the equivalent of] 125 Euro.
I use a trombone gig bag. This bag is very heavily padded and is much lighter than a hard case. It has a long side compartment for the trombone slide in which I usually stash the end piece from the bass drone, whistles, etc. I think that the bass reg piece would also fit in there if I had one. Everything else fits inside ok.
I know I’d rather put my B set in a hard case. A Wooff set can and probably will last long after its original owner joins the big tionol in the sky. It only makes sense to take care of it by putting it in a proper case, with hard sides, adequate room, and plenty of padding.
That’s what I’m thinking. I actually have a Ray Doherty bagpipe flight case intended for highland pipes but which might be the perfect size. I can’t imagine its being all that airline friendly, though.
Is that Seth Gallagher flight case big enough for a flat set, do you think?
Stuart
Getting them on a plane may or may not be a consideration for you. The 4" height would allow you to get them into an overhead. 34" cases do not technically make it into the cabin as they over extend the airline limits for carryon but most airlines allow them. If they do allow the pipes on board, they do get particular about other carryons that you might have.
Being patient and courteous goes a long way in getting stuff on board a plane.
I know a touring bass player who took a heavy padded gig bag sized 48" x 18" x 4" as carry-on regularly.
That’s because airport baggage handlers are infamous for their apathy towards musicians, and regularly trash any luggage that remotely resembles a guitar, amp, or speaker cabinet case. Many guitarists will go so far as to book a seat for their instrument rather than leave it at the hands of the baggage handlers. ATA rating on instrument cases is a serious value.
djm
This guy was always able to store it in the Flight attendant’s area and (to my knowledge) never had to purchase a seat for the bass. My full set fits (assembled) into my bass gig-bag of similar size.
Last night I went to a party and fit a full set into a rectangular viola case with drone and bass regular reed cap (and reed) removed.
Even the flight attendant’s space is limited and that is why going out with a case that fits into the overhead works.
I have seen huge paintings go on aircraft, too.
So does booking for offpeak times, getting there early, and requesting a seat assignment near the back of the plane (they let you on right after passengers in need of assistance and first class). I’ve carried my pipes on numerous times in a long box. The trick is planning, getting there early, and knowing the airline you’re flying. Book ones that tend to not notice musical instruments that exceed stated size limits but still fit neatly in the overhead bins.
Most carriers are OK. There are one or two to avoid if possible. British Airways comes to mind, Delta is another. America West once made D’Arcy check his Wooff set, but that may have been an anomaly. I would have been livid.
I was livid, a complete nervous wreck! It was on the return flight from the NY Tionól in 2001 out of JFK. Only a few weeks after the Sept 11 disaster. This had the airline people on edge Big Time and they weren’t taking any sheet. I basically begged and they weren’t having any of it… “it’s a priceless, irreplaceable, historic, old instrument”… “If you don’t check the case you ain’t gettin’ on the plane”… charming!
Anyway, as you can tell it was a damaging experience 
Luckily I have a very strong flightcase for my Wooff’s and they made they journey intact except for the baritone reg reed coming out.. .that must have taken quite a wallop to do that! I also asked the attendants for duct tape and I sealed every opening on the case. It is already airtight but I didn’t want to take any chances. I used nearly the entire roll.. .served them right 
I have flown many times since with absolutely no trouble. It is now law that you can carry on your instrument and the attendants and customs have to cooperate with you. The Musicians Union fought successfully for this law to be passed.
Patrick.
Sorry, Pat, I didn’t mean to imply you weren’t properly outraged. 
I’m glad they came through none the worse, I’m sure you were relieved; they sound tremendous.
Well… you’ll know better the next time 
Patrick.
Thanks for all the recommendations, guys; it’s interesting to see what people are using.
I used a Roblés Roadcase gig bag for my Rogge set, but I am thinking, particularly with regs, that I should go with something hardsided. Jury’s still out, and it’s not like I have to buy a case right this instant.
As for the things mentioned about flying . . . this year was the first time I’ve ever been an “Elite” frequent flyer on any carrier. Continental now basically ignores the weight limits for pieces of luggage, and I am afforded “elite access” boarding privileges and can board when 1st class boards. Which means . . . I can fill the overhead bins before anyone else gets on! That’s also very nice for getting something like a set of pipes on board. Makes me feel like a schmuck, a little bit, but hey.
Stuart
I remember the Paddy Kennan concert at McCabes about his dis-assembling his pipes for the checkers… Is case size an issue?? Does it have to fit the over head bin?? All you folks that flew out to the SoCal tionol- was there any issues?? especially if you brought more than one instrument??
Inquiring minds NEED to know- work is beckoning me to travel again and I need to practice
F, one e, one L