I’ve heard this claim made that hide bags produce better overall tone in the instrument when compared with synthetic bags (much the same way with drone reeds). For those that have played both, is this claim true or just a myth?
By the way, I’m talking about the GHB.
Can’t speak for GHB, but it’s a myth for smallpipes.
I feel that the hide bag is easier to play, more ergonomic, provides a better balance on your shoulder and under it, and also finally does enhance the overall tone of the pipes. I absolutely love my L&M scotian bags, and I have them on my poly pipes and my MacLellans. I have played the Ross bag and also the Canmore bags. I believe that when you have a hide bag tied on, the whole set kind of vibrates and it feels and sounds alive.
to me, the canmore and ross bags just feel like you have big balloons tied onto your sticks. Most uncomfortable to play, and IMHO they are stretchy. My leather bag is going on its second year, and does not require seasoning. There have been no leaks, and I can easily play for an hour or two without getting winded or have my arms get tired.
Sean
ps… the scotian bags now come with zippers. def. worth the money.
Hmmm, that’s interesting. I currently play a Bannatyne hybrid bag. I started off with a hide bag (my first set of pipes, already tied in) but got tired of seasoning it, thus moved to a synthetic. I, like you, didn’t like the synthetic feel under my arm, thus I settled in to the hybrid and that’s what I’ve played since then.
Also…here’s the thing. I haven’t the foggiest idea of how to tie a bag in. If I could find a hide bag with stock collars and one I could use a hose clamp on the chanter stock, plus has a zipper, I would try it.
I’ve always found the biggest difference between hide and synthetic was response to the bag arm. The thicker walls of the hide bag give a wider area of compression when you squeeze. This is especially helpful on bellows pipes where you rely mostly on bag pressure for steady tone.
As for overall tone, I think the idea between hide bags giving better tone than synthetic is that the leather resonates more than a synthetic material like gore-tex. Maybe the higher vibrations of a GHB are more apt to cause the hide to resonate than a smallpipe. I know from experience that of all the bag materials I’ve tried, I have felt more resonance with sheepskin.
I’ve noticed normally that the claim is made with sheepskin. However, where I live (west Texas, a hot, dry area) sheepskin really wouldn’t be a practical choice.
Texaspiper,
I have exactly what you are looking for. On my pol pipes I have a L&M Scotian bag with a zipper and grommets. The Grommets are thick rubber collars that the stocks slide into that are airtight around the stocks. No tying in required. Then I used the stretchy tape to double check that they were airtight. It is an excellent choice. AND YOU DON’T HAVE TO SEASON. A most excellent factor. I love these bags and won’t ever play anything else.
On my MacLellans I have just the normal Scotian bag with a zipper. I had to cut it myself and tied it in with RIngo Bowen. now I know how to do it.
Sean
I have to say what I have sid above relates strictly to the question. "is there a tonal difference? Well, there isn’t. There is, however a huge difference in the feel of the thing, that is perfectly true.A huge one.