Equipment question - Ross Bags

[Andrew]

Not sure if this is the place to post an equipment question, if so, please redirect me. I've recently acquired a zippered Ross canister bag ( I'm a fairly wet blower), extremely happy with it - I play 2 hours at band once a week, and perhaps one hour per night 3-4 times a week in addition. I've been taking the blowpipe and chanter off after each session, but nothing more. Do people normally unzip the bag? (I've been hesitant to 'break the seal' that often). How often should I change the canister? Microwave the litter? Are there signs that the litter is damp? Any advice most welcome.

thanks
AN in Ottawa

[DVMPiper]

I have heard that you should unzip the bag, after each time you play, especially if you play for that long each time. Also, if you start noticing more, or any, moisture on the reeds or in the bag after playing, that would be the time to change the canister. As far as microwaving the litter, or dessicant, someone else who plays the bag could tell you more.

Bryan

[Stewart Nimmo]

Originally posted by andynorth:
Microwave the litter? Are there signs that the litter is damp? Any advice most welcome.

Good questions! I'm looking forward to responses.
What I do every once in a while is put the litter on a foil pie plate in oven for 10 min. at 450 F. ALLOW TO COOL before putting back in canister.

[Chris Hamilton]

Originally posted by VetSchoolPiper:
I have heard that you should unzip the bag, after each time you play, especially if you play for that long each time. Also, if you start noticing more, or any, moisture on the reeds or in the bag after playing, that would be the time to change the canister. As far as microwaving the litter, or dessicant, someone else who plays the bag could tell you more.


Yes, I'd concur. I'd unzip the bag EVERY time you play. The moisture has to go somewhere ... the zipper is quite rugged and will probably outlast the bag.

The enzymes in saliva are damaging to reeds and bag fabric, so it's best to let them evaporate. You can even take the cannister out to let it dry after a long session, and microwave it if necessary.

I know a chap who doesn't do anything to his Ross bag after he plays. The thing weighs a ton (who knows how much moisture is sitting in that cat litter) and he's always got pipe troubles.

A little maintenance goes a long way!

Chris

[Alasdair McAndrew]

You should have received, along with the Ross bag, an 8 page booklet describing the set-up, care and maintenance of the bag. If you didn't get this, your supplier should be able to provide it. Most pertinent is the "Important Note" on the last page:

"For the sake of longevity of the bag, it is strongly advised that you allow the inside of the bag to dry out after playing sessions, this is particularly important for wetter blowers and pipers residing in damp climates. The reason for this is that over a period of time, water (particularly when combined with enzymes etc. from your mouth), when left in continual contact with the bag material, helps break down the hydrophilic layer that makes the bag breathable and also air-tight, and thereby will greatly reduce the life of the bag. Signs of this breakdown are extremely small (less than pin hole size) air leakages coming through the bag. Drying the inside of the bag is most effectively done by unzipping the zip and aso removing the blowpipe and chanter, which alows good access for air to dry the inside of the bag overnight."

So there you have it.

cheers,

Alasdair

[Mitch Man]

Originally posted by Chris Hamilton:

I know a chap who doesn't do anything to his Ross bag after he plays. Chris

And you promised you wouldn't tell! :(

Actually, I play as seldom as 40 minutes 3 times
as week, but I have had little problem with my
setup.

Real bad news, after 4 years the Ross bag
finally developed a leak in the grommet. The
rubber grommet developed crack around it's base
and I only noticed it when I corked up the bag
to test for leakage. It would only leak when
I applied pressure to one side of the middle
tenor stock.

I'm not sure how long the leak has been present, but it sure was a good work out! :D

JM

[Kevin J. Auld]

Ha! Your Ross grommet story had me chuckling. Many years ago I was playing one of the first generation Canmore bags. I was in the middle of a performance of the musical 'Brigadoon' when I could NOT keep any air in the bag. I was on stage, sweating like a pig, trying my best not to fall over, and blowing like crazy to keep any air at all in my bag. Needless to say, my fellow performers on stage noticed my distress and asked me after the show if I was feeling ok. I was not.

When I got my pipes home I tore them apart and discovered that the rubber grommet around the blow pipe stock had a big split in it. It only leaked when I moved the blow pipe to the side. I ended up sealing it with some heavy-duty tire patch glue. I had a friend who went through the same thing a few times. He finally started sending the bags back to Canmore. He had to replace four bags before he decided to play a different type of bag. :(

Anyway, I keep hearing good things about the Ross bag. I will most likely go with a Gannaway (with a water trap) when I replace mine, as I am not a wet blower like some of you folks.

Maintenance maintenance maintenance......

Kevin

[Andy Muir]

I always unzip the bag & take the chanter out after playing. I microwave the kitty litter about once a fortnight or thereabouts (I play at least 3 times a week for 1-2 hours). Had the bag since March, and thoughly pleased with it.

Andy

[HepcatBob]

Originally posted by Mitch Man:


And you promised you wouldn't tell! :(



I thought he was talking about me!

:D

[ShadowPiper]

The Ross Canister System is a wonderful thing for the very wet blowers among us. I play my pipes three to four times a week at two hours a session. I unzip the bag after every session. I let it dry thoroughly before putting the pipes away. I go so far as to take the drones out of the Ross bag. I also take the contents out of the canister and spread the granules out on a plate. I then microwave the granules for two minutes. I let them cool to room temperature and then microwave again for two minutes. After they cool the second time I refill the canister and then seal the canister in a ziplock bag before storing in my pipe case. I know this sounds extreme, but this has cured my moisture problems which were quite extreme. If you need to lubricate the zipper, you can get a silicone spray from a local suba diving shop. The spray is usally sold to lubricate the zippers of wet suits.

Good Luck AN