Hiya folks.
This might sound like a dumb question, but forgive me, I’m totally new to the world of the uilleanns. Is there a good case anyone can recommend? Are there humidor type uilleann cases (like there are for violins) that would be benificial to the chanter reed, or should the pipes just be kept in the home at a fairly constant humidity rate? I’m quite nervous about dealing with the chanter reed. Should it be expected that a beginner will screw up a couple chanter reeds before the basic principles of adjustment dawn on him? Is there any recommended reading I should aquire before I get my pipes? Any help you can afford is much appreciated.
God Rest,
-E-
put some fresh apples in your pipe case..I’m not kidding… trick from Diarmaid Moynihan(piper ,composer from Calico) .( Remember change apples sometimes 
)
Cheers,
Mikko
The topic of pipe cases has been covered pretty extensively.
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=14668
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=16331
If you only have one chanter reed, I’d recommend you leave it alone. At some point you will need to become familiar with the reed as it’s the ‘heart of the instrument’…but as a beginner its best to work on learning to play first.
If you have a second or backup reed, or one which doesn’t play as well as your primary reed, you can use that as part of your learning process.
Read (no pun intended) as much as you can on reedmaking first (this topic is covered on C&F if you do a search) or on the Uilleann Forum http://www.uilleannforum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=94
and there are many free resources you can download.
One place to start is by noting how far apart the lips of the reed are. Depending on the type of bridle you have then learn how to move it up or down a gnat’s hair to open or close the reed lips. This will give you a louder or quieter sound…as the humidity changes, you will notice that the reed opens or closes on its own. This bridle adjustment will allow you to compensate.
I’ve learned to change the humidity rather than mess with the reed…as a result, I haven’t destroyed a reed in almost a year. 
Good luck.
-gary
… one of these days, I too will learn how to adjust the humidity and not mess with my reeds… but I can’t resist tweaking… just a little here… some there… and…CRACK!…shoot, there goes another one. 
For my Daye practice set, I used a well-padded mandolin gig bag as a case. It worked well until my Daye drones arrived last week… now it’s too small (and is for sale if you are interested). I went rummaging in my parents attic and found a nifty old Samsonite suitcase that holds the entire half-set (and associated accoutrements).
Heed the warnings about messing with the reed!
Peace!
Reepicheep
Most pipemakers will seel you a case as well. If not, for a practice or half set, a tenor sax case can work well.
Haven’t tried the apple trick. I should stop by the grocery store on the way home…
KAD
Double shotgun cases work well for pipes. There are always some on eBAY - here’s one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-GUARDFORCE-GDS-7252C-Breakdown-Shotgun-Case_W0QQitemZ7216476977QQcategoryZ73940QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I have a hammered/mountain dulcimer case that fits my half set quite nicely. The pipes sit a touch loosely in it so I have to be careful with gestures. The case material is that hardened cardboard stuff and there’s some kind of fun fur stuff on the inside. It’s not all that sturdy, but for a ‘gig bag plus’ it’s not too bad. I still have a Ritter trumpet soft-shell case
( http://www.ritter-bags.com/ ) that I used for my practice set, it’s too small for my half set though.
Mark
for a full set with the bass reg extension, i would recommend a bass clarinet case… works well for a full set with wrap around bass reg or for a 3/4 set without removing the bass drone tuning slide. fits in overhead compartment of airline, and can hold two full sets, one bellows, bunch of chanters, and a flute case.
or
for more compact travel (still will hold two sets) but with less stress when flying as it is smaller, i have a highland piper’s pipe major pipe case… less than 24" long, 12" wide, 4" deep… or there abouts.
KAD (supreme goddess of medieval studies) has a great soft sided sax gig bag that works well also.
Anyone know of any high quality soft (i.e. leather) padded cases other then the Cac-A-Sac cases linked to from Seth Galagher’s web site?