Grometed Scotian Bag

[Brian Kittel]

Good day all! I need to replace my hide bag and I'm going to go with a zippered bag. Currently it's not much of a problem as my stamina is still building, but I find when I play for about 20 min I start to have water leaking from my a and g hole (now how many places can you say that with out sounding like a perv). So I'm guessing that when I do get my stamina up I will be needing some sort of moisture control system, thus the zippered route.

I'm thinking the L&M Scotion with the gromets. Gromets because that would seem to make the whole tying in much easier. L&M because it would seem the other systhetics like gortex would be more likely to slip from your pocket while playing whereas the cross grain of hide would help it to grip the fabric of the bag cover and not slip as well.

So, what are the thoughts of you senior pipers who may have experiemented with othere bags, or at least dealt with various ones and their respective strengths and weaknesses?

[EquusRacer]

G'day, briankittel: First of all, I don't think that you have to worry about the slipping in your bag cover that much (as long as you're using a bag cover, which most of us arguably recommend).

More the issue with many is the weight of the leather-covered synthetics versus the lightness and flabbiness of the pure Gortex.

The grommets do make for easier tie-in. Some, however--and again, arguably--feel that those are weak spots in some bags. I used an L&M Scotian, and it did eventually leak...but not around the grommets. Too bad, too, for I liked the feel of the bag. It does sound as though you do need a moisture control system...an a zippered bag opens up more options. Good hunting.

[Piper_06]

I have used a Gannaway for the past two years, it was grommeted. I just tied in a Scotian bag the past weekend. I like it too. I love the feel of the hybrid bag. I don't like the plain gortex bag. I have one on my Firesides. It is the only thing I don't like about them. But according to Jerry Gibson to change the bag type will change the airflow and dynamics of the pipes.

I like both bags. The Gannaway used clamps on the collars. I put them on the Scotian bag just for the security of the drones. I have been told it is not needed, but again I don't want a failure and it doesn't hurt either.

If I buy a new bag, it will be either the Gannaway or Scotian.

[Torphinian]

I have been using a Gannaway with the zip and collars for the drones but just switched to a goatskin bag. Could not beat the ease of getting the drones/blowpipe in just the right position with the collars. However, all that rubber around the stocks and the large zipper installation took away something of the resonance of the pipes (I suspect that what I found with the Gannaway would hold true for the Scotian). The pipes now have a tone that was missing with the zip/collar set-up.

My opinion is that there is a price to pay for the ease of setting up the bag. Another alternative is to have someone show you how to tie in a bag. It is not that hard - though not something I would suggest doing just by reading all the instructions out there (they're good - but being the apprentice is the better way to learn this). The money you'd save buying a plain bag would be more than enough to pay a professional to teach you how it's done!

As for moisture control, a tube trap works brilliant with a hide bag. The down side here is that you'd need to get split stock, like the one Peter Crisler or Gibson makes. Not much money there compared to all the drying systems on the market.

And I have no doubt that absolutely everyone who reads this thread will agree with me! :lol:

Gene

[Humpd]

A friend of mine uses the Moose bag and loves it. Easy to tie in and easy to play due to the angle of the grommets.

[Ken Fitzpatrick]

is your friend a newbie or been piping for long, just sometimes some folk get something new and they love it for the first few weeks then decide it was just the exciment of getting something new so it must be good ?

cheers

[iunderwood]

I can speak for the L&M + Crisler/Gibson tube trap combo. Works great, I'm loving it. And tying in really is fairly easy, but you definitely need someone to show you the first time.

[Redscot]

is your friend a newbie or been piping for long, just sometimes some folk get something new and they love it for the first few weeks then decide it was just the exciment of getting something new so it must be good ?

cheers

I've been playing for about 3 years and have had the Moose bag since the beginning of November. And yup! I still like my Moose Bag. There are no wire ties, clamps, or tape on the bag except for the chanter stock.
The grommets have combing molded directly into them and really lock onto stocks. The grommets also have a slight angle to them so as not to stress the bag at the point where they are attached. REALLY nice on the blowpipe, I can let go of the blowstick and it just rests in my mouth. The angled zipper is great as well as it doesn't rub my arm.
Overall a nice synthetic pipe bag.

[JRM]

I've been using a Scotian for about 3 years now. Nice feel, good shape, airtight. Follow the directions and reapply the sealant (extremely easy to do) on a regular basis and it will last you a good long time. Finish off tying in the chanter stock, and where the stocks meet the grommets with electrical tape for a good secure airtight finish.

[Randy J. Homer]

I've played a bunch of bags and have settled on the small Moose. The angle of the blowpipe is great! The hang of the chanter is great! I'd like the bass to stick straighter up a bit more, but it's still not a bad fit or uncomfortable.

With only a tube trap and then a tube and bottle, I found varying moisture to the chanter reed causing too much instability. Upon the recommendation of Ronan Maguire, I'm now using the Gannaway MCS and really like it. I used to wipe the inside of the bag after playing and dry off the bottom of the stocks. But now, the stocks are always bone dry. And with the forward tubing putting undried air toward the chanter, the chanter reed still gets some moisture. How much depends on how much you open the forward valve. I open it more for a McLellan and close it down about halfway for a Ross. Reeds are different!

The floppiness of the synthetic is countered by fitting a good bag cover. My cover fits like a glove with Greptile patches on the inside as well as under the arm. When inflated, it's quite firm and with the non-slip patches, it stays put! So I'm as happy with it as I ever have been with a hybrid and it's much more convenient and controllable than any hide that I've used. Though admittedly, I've not tried the Scotian.