Could anyone describe the advantages of having a hollow main stock? Is it worth paying an additional premium for a hollow main stock when ordering a set?
regards,
Mark.
Interesting that you brought this up as there was some discussion about this at the latest BC Piper’s club meeting. I have a hollow mainstock on my concert set and can definately recommend them.
In my experience, a hollow mainstock provides for a better combination of the tones of the drones (or at least it seems to). It’s like the sounds of each of the drones lock into each other combine to provide a smoother overall sound.
An interesting side effect of the tones locking is when I tune my drones, I don’t have the typical beating sound as they get close to being in tune. The sounds just merge into one as everything gets into tune.
Greg
I am glad this came up. As a rookie piper, I have always tried to figure out what is going on inside the mainstock. While we are at this discussion, could someone describe the openings and interior configuration of a traditional mainstock, then contrast it with a hollow mainstock? I would appreciate it.
If I can get hold of it, I’m going to make a stock out of Lucite so we can have a look at whats going on in there. It may take a while, so if one of the more adventurous makers beats my to it, all the best.
Marc
There are three types of hollow stock, 1st is one that has a base plate fitted which allows you to shut off the drones, these do sound better than a solid stock but involve a tad more work to complete.
2nd is the fully hollow stock like a set of NSP has, I think these sound the best, the combination or collective sounds are reflected back into the bag which acts like a sound chamber.
The third is a stock used by pipe maker Davey Boisvert, where the drone reed chanber is hollowed out seperate from the reg tubes, these also have a unique sound.
Its all down to taste and money at the end of the day.
Davy.
The old sets with a hollow mainstock I have seen were of the type with a wooden plug at the front and rear of the stock and copper tubing going through both plugs for the two regulators (3/4 sets). The stocks were made of boxwood, stained black and made with very thin walls. The stock also vibrated and reinforced the drone sounds. One old set had no plug at the bag end and, as Davy noted, used the bag as a resonator also. By attaching a bass regulator bar to the stock much of the stock resonation is dampened, but the synergy between the reeds is still evident. Also, thicker mainstock are required to support the bass regulator bar. !/2 and 3/4 sets seem to benefit most from a hollow stock but anything can be made, if you are willing to put up the cash, and the pipemaker is willing.
Ted