Instrument "Library"

[EquusRacer]

Does your band receive donated instruments, including pipes, PCs, etc.? If so, is there a program in your band to maintain them, loan, donate or other ways of utilizing them?

[johnsog]

We do have some pipes that people have donated. Our pipe major fixes them up so they are playable and they are lent out to beginners as requested. There are two sets, fondly referred to as the "chicken coop" pipes because someone found them in an old chicken coop and gave them to us. The bags are shot, even after much patching. I don't know what happened to those but our band has also purchased a set or two so we have good pipes on hand. We don't like to turn down any donations and are happy to take whatever is donated, scavenging parts if the pipes are not playable. As for drums, we have purchased what we need plus a few.

[Jim Fogelman]

Why not get some synthetic or hybrid bags on them if the bags are leaking? It will just make learning frustrating for a beginner who gets loaned one of those sets.

[EquusRacer]

When I think of all the former members who have either retired from piping or, sadly, passed on, it makes me ill to know that there are so many beautiful sets just sitting. Perhaps the piper or his family thinks that someone else in the family will take up the pipes. We know how often (not!) that happens. Sometimes, though I think it's more rare, they are sold. But at least there is a chance of someone benefitting, and thus benefitting a set that may otherwise just sit. Last year, a former member kindly donated a gorgeous set of mid-50s Robertson's. Even though he's now fairly blind, he at least kept them going until turning them over. His comment was, "This is just a small payment to express my appreciation of what the band has meant to me in my life." I wish more felt that way.

[Pip01]

When I think of all the former members who have either retired from piping or, sadly, passed on, it makes me ill to know that there are so many beautiful sets just sitting.

Perhaps the piper or his family thinks that someone else in the family will take up the pipes. We know how often (not!) that happens.

Sometimes, though I think it's more rare, they are sold.
But at least there is a chance of someone benefitting, and thus benefitting a set that may otherwise just sit.

Last year, a former member kindly donated a gorgeous set of mid-50s Robertson's.

Even though he's now fairly blind, he at least kept them going until turning them over.

His comment was, "This is just a small payment to express my appreciation of what the band has meant to me in my life."

I wish more felt that way.

Greetings to All,

But one of the "small matters"--that has garnered--and has kept--my attention--
"As the Old Chariot Rolls Along"--is such as has been made manifest above.

It has long been my thought--that to us--we--who are--hip deep--in The Piping
Game--falls the office--of Stewardship--both for--The Music--and--for those
fine instruments as well--which have come within our range--of knowledge--and
of--our grateful--appreciation.

The finding--of a Good Home--for a grand set of pipes--Vintage--or newer--
can take up a bit of--that Old Rascal Time--but I would hazard--that the doing
of such--is of as much importance--to the History--and the continuation--of The
Music--as the Time needed--to perfect--a damned good--Double D.

Would that more of us--would undertake--such Stewardship...
"That they may have parley with old folks of old affairs."

Regards to All,

Pip01