Ross system

[Derrick Young]

I had to replace my bag as the one I was playing was just to big for me (canmore large). So after talking to a number of vendors and our P/M I took their advice and went with the Ross Canister. Spent last night and this AM switching bags and have it all put together.

Couple of questions I have though

1) The hoses make everything feel rigid. I know with the canmore it was like a dish towel under your arm but is this normal.

2) How much twisting can those hoses take? Just thinking of the P/M's instructions. for pipes ready, pipes down...... With that hose to the chanter stock, bringing the chanter up to the blow pipe feels odd

3) Do you get used to this?

[The Wick]

I think the rigid feeling is probably common. However, some people disconnect the chanter hose completely. This probably has two funtions; one it allows a bit of moisture to the chanter reed and secondly it allows the bag to move more freely.

Just my opinion,
Doug :p

[Gordon Jones]

1) Yes its rigid..some say they like it more..a full feel under the arm.Others like the hide feel.
2) I took off the chanter hose for that very reason plus its so dry the chanter reed was not getting moisture. AS to how much twisting ..quite a lot...

Gordon

[Derrick Young]

Thanks for the info guys. As for a Follow up after one day of playing on and off.

The small-extended size on the Ross bag is absolute magic! Struggling with the Large Canmore under my arm for the past 5 months this was heaven.
The weight of the bag with the canister in it feels better under my arm than the Canmore did and strike ins and cut-offs seem better. I have read that getting these to cut out cleanly is a task, but maybe the size of the bag is giving me more control but this is cleaner.

I find my drones are cutting out on me by he time my Chanter kicks in. I was not seeing this previously and am wondering is this is a common and what the cause may be. I know I need to move the bridles on my drone reeds but am more curious as to the why. Is this a result of the smaller size bag or the canister system, or am I just nuts.

[Sean Somers]

I switched over to the Ross system quite a few years ago - however, at that time is wasn't by choice! My old faithful (well, up until then anyway) sheepskin bag died on me just a week before a big contest, and the Ross bag was the only thing I could get in a pinch. I didn't have time to order, tie-in (not to mention blow-in) a new sheep bag within that time frame.

So....

The Ross bag was going to be my short term solution - at first I hated the bag - tubes, hoses, boxes sticking into my side while I was trying to make cut-offs...it was awful at first.

But, now - I swear by it. I'm quite a wet blower, and this was a great help to many of the moisture problems I was having before. I have my pipes set up now with the only the drones hooked-up to the cannister - no tubes or anything to the chanter. This set-up definately gave my pipes a less "rigid" feel to them.

To make a long story short: I'd stick with it - you will get used to the feel of the bag, and in my opinion, it's much easier and WAY less hastle than having to deal with seasoning and all that fun stuff - definately somethign I don't miss!

Cheers,

Sean