Wood or Plastic ? Part 3.

So having established that plastic and wood should, in theory, produce the same sound and that it has been scientifically demonstrated that the main source of differentiation is in the head, we should not ignore that any instrument will sound better (or worse) according to the reeds selected and the skill of the player, notably in maintaining uniform optimumpressure pressure.

My advice concerning choice of reeds (drone and chanter) would be to rely heavily on the assessment of an experienced player. If you are buying in a shop, hopefully the shopkeeper will allow you to try different makes but beware of the salesman keen to sell a particular brand because he has a better profit margin. If you are buying from an individual perhaps you should have with you several different makes of reed which you may have been able to borrow from fellow pipers. If you are a beginner, you cannot realistically judge « good » sound, so again, it is better to have an experienced player with you. (If you were buying « wooden » set you would find yourself in exactly the same dilemma of choice). In the case of drone reeds, listen carefully to the maker’s own brand presumably supplied with the pipes, and use this as your standard to see if you can do better. Please note that you can use cane reeds with plastic pipes. Selecting a chanter reed for a plastic chanter is exactly the same as for a wooden chanter. Check that the chanter itself is « live » i.e. one which buzzes under your fingers and select a reed strength which allows you to play in your comfort zone. As far as the bag is concerned, there is enough discussion on the web already. on the merits and demerits of hide and synthetic bags.

If you are worried about condensation then you may consider a de-humidification system. My advice here is not to buy one right away, but to see if you really need one first. If you have problems with reeds stopping through condensation, then you will have to make a decision. It is not often pointed out that when you place an item inside your bag, you are automatically reducing the capacity of the bag. If you introduce a bulky system, you might be reducing your bag from medium size to small (extreme example). Also, any system which introduces a pipe into the drone stock will cause instability in the drone so you should select a system which clamps on to the outside of the stock. I think it is stating the obvious that you should have a zipper bag.

As I said at the beginning of my article I have played a first-class plastic replica of a vintage pipe , I have also listened at some length to the RG Hardie and McCallum instruments. The vintage pipe is superb as its is minutely copied in every detail ; the price for what one gets is also reasonable.The two other pipes are very satisfactory and are better than many wooden sets I have heard. But for me the best value for money is the Bagpipes Galore Delrin pipes. They have a very rich tone and are very steady. They are half the price of the others. I use Galore drone reeds which go very well with this instrument. As far as moisture reduction is concerned, I recommend the model produced by Highland Reeds (Bruce Hitchings) This system offers a drone valve incoporated (which can be removed or adjusted). It is a small system and therefore does not reduce the volume of the bag like many others. Bruce’s drone reeds are known for their steadiness and are easy to adjust,especially if you want to reduce air flow to the reed. All makers demonstrate their instruments on YouTube.

In conclusion I would encourage anyone thinking of buying a first set, or a good « back-up » instrument to go for plastic. They can be turned and combed like the wooden sets and are almost impossible to distinguish. Most pipers would never consider embellishing their plastic pipes in the way that one is tempted to do for an outstanding instrument with standard mountings. Apart from being yet another example of our inherent prejudices, the answer to the problemmay be in ordering more expensive mounts at the time of purchase. After all, the instrument is priced lower than wood, why not treat it, and yourself to a bit of luxury !

Judge by sound and be comforted by the fact that if someone sits on a chair where you have inadvertantly left your bagpipe…..nothing will be broken !

There is a superb and very lengthy discussion on all of this on the Dunsire chat room.

Andrew

Les sites :

http://www.mccallumbagpipes.com/products/bagpipes/black-acetyl/

https://rghardiebagpipes.com/r-g-hardie-bagpipes-2/

http://www.pipingpal.com/highland-bagpipe-delrin-synthetic-c2x14695303