Hi all,
I have a leak in the bag of my bagpipes. This is the second leak I have had in the past 5 or so months I have been playing. The first time I contacted the maker and he replaced the bag free of charge. That was about 3 months ago. I don’t know whether I should contact him again because he already replaced the bag once. Another problem is I am barrowing my practice set from the San Francisco Piper’s Club. Any suggestions would be welcomed as to what I should do.
ciao!
Caryn
Caryn,
Describe the leak.
Is it air passing throught the walls of the leather or is there a hole from a loose seam (stitched) or tied-in wooden stock?
My bag has a plastic inner bag with a leather cover and I think the leak is coming from the inner plastic bag. I checked the seams and they seem fine.
There are such variances in leather these days that some pipemakers line their bags with latex rubber or woven materials like nylon to make them airtight.
On traditional all leather bags you might use a mixture of neetsfoot oil and beeswax which soaks into the pores, making them swell shut. Neetsfoot is a bit messy and has an unusual odor.
My suggestion is to go back to the pipemaker (again) to see if he will make good on the bag. You should be able to get a few years of playing, not a few months, before needing an overhaul.
Of course you should replace the bag 5 months is NOTHING.The maker should give a lifetime service for his pipes.I dont mean replace the bag after say 20 years but come on 5 months!!My current bag is 8yrs old no problemo.(and its leather) season once every year or two and bobs your auntie.Think about VINYL bags Paddy Keenan thinks they are the bees knees see An Piobare 2 issues back.Good luck
I have an original Leo Rowesome bag that is still air-tight. Well taken care of bags should last quite some time.
Dionys
thanks for everyone’s suggestions. I just can’t understand how my bag can get a leak in 3 months. I can going to contact the maker and the person who’s lending it to me through San Fran. piper’s club.
Caryn