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~ Universe of Bagpipes ~  |
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Options and Enhancements: J. Dunbar, Ltd. Models P1 & P3 Great Highland Bagpipes |
| For centuries pipers all over the world have made do with local materials in constructing and maintaining their instruments. While there is a certain magical charm in following old ways of building, maintaining and playing any instrument, there are also the modern practical considerations of limited time, demanding audiences, lack of a of nearby stand of trees behind which to warm up, sudden and extreme temperature changes between indoors and outdoors and so on. Some of these issues are addressed by the material - Delrin - of which the P-model Dunbar bagpipes (and practice chanters) are made. Below are some additional enhancements available for these excellent instruments that carry the concepts of freedom from maintenance and increased reliability a few steps further. |
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The high-quality L &M brand leather bag that comes as standard equipment with Dunbar's pipes (see photo and description on the P1 page) will give years of service if properly maintained. However, many pipers are now using bags made of Gortex or similar materials which are essentially maintenance free. Dunbar offers all of their bagpipes with Canmore brand Gortex bags (photo below). Canmore is a Scottish firm with long experience making these bags and is very well regarded. |
shown here with P3 stocks installed.
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Unless otherwise specified, both leather and Canmore bags are provided in "medium" size. Large and small size bags are available at no extra charge, but unless you have a specific reason for one of these, you should probably stick to the medium size. Very small persons (including children) may benefit from the small size. Please discuss this with us if you have questions. Specialized bags are also available - for example zippered Canmore bags ($160 additional), Ross "Cannister" bags, and so on. If you think you need something along these lines, please call or write for prices and availability. All Dunbar bagpipes are supplied with a velvet bag cover, available in three solid colors (the green is seen here on the P1) and with various trim colors. The colors are very deep and all compliment the black of the pipes nicely. Normally available color/trim combinations are: Green with green, black or white trim; Blue with blue or white trim. Drone cords are usually chosen to match the trim colors, but that's up to you. The standard silk cords/tassells are normally available in any of the above listed trim colors. Should you wish a bag with a specific clan tartan, a Canadian firm makes very nice ones for Dunbar's pipes. The photo below shows such a custom cover, in this instance an antique McNeil pattern. Please enquire as to availability of the desired tartan, and be aware that these can take quite a bit of time to get and that they're not inexpensive (around $100). We suggest that you hunt up the fabric you want yourself, and use the provided cover as a pattern; bag covers are quite simple and anyone handy with a sewing machine can whip one up in jig time. (I've even made some myself, using needle and thread, and only stabbed myself eight or ten times...) |
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Returning to more practical matters we arrive at the heart and soul of the bagpipe, its reeds. I could launch into a very long - endless, actually - discussion here about bagpipe reeds but the most relevant thing for the moment is that they are the most difficult thing to deal with for both the novice and experienced piper. This is due to several things - bagpipes have two or more reeds (four, in the GHB), not just one like other woodwinds, and they must operate properly and predictably on their own, without help from the player's lips, often under nasty environmental conditions. Traditionally, GHB (and many other) bagpipe reeds are made of cane, which of course is an organic material and thus subject to all sorts of influences - moisture absorbtion and temperature changes being major ones. The substitution of synthetic materials for cane, and in the case of drone reeds a mechanical design that allows certain adjustments to be made, dramatically increases the consistency, reliability and longevity of bagpipe reeds. The downside includes initial cost (which however is more than made up for in the long run by longevity) and - a very controversial subject - possible differences in sound. Regarding the latter, it is generally accepted that tonal differences between cane and synthetics are present but subtle, and lesser with drone reeds than with chanter reeds. Whether any such differences are good or bad is debatable. To some extent there is no real solution to the argument, because no two sets of cane reeds sound exactly the same. My opinion (worth what it costs) is that eventually every piper should experiment with both cane and synthetics. From that view, it makes sense to start on synthetics because it's simply less trouble at a time when much else is being learned and causing struggles. Later, even if a piper chooses to use cane routinely, it's very nice to have a set of synthetic reeds on hand that can be popped into service at a moment's notice if a cane reed throws a fit at an inconvenient time (as is inevitable). Below is pictured a set of Wygent brand Synthe-DroneTM synthetic drone reeds. These are made in the United States by one of the pioneers of synthetic reeds, and are pretty much the standard by which others are judged. They are recommended by Dunbar. There are three different varieties of Wygent synthetic drone reeds. The ones shown are the most basic and least expensive, but we feel that they are nevertheless the best choice . |
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That leaves the chanter reed, perhaps the last organic component in your Dunbar bagpipe. We offer Clanrye brand synthetic GHB chanter reeds, pictured below and discussed on their own page on this site. |
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The P-model J. Dunbar bagpipes are equipped with a mouthpiece that threads onto the blowpipe. There are four lengths, and we will supply the one you need based on your height. |
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On the pages describing the P1 and P3 there is considerable discussion about o-ring joints and hemp joints. The P1 is commonly fitted with o-rings, while the P3 is most often set up with hemp. However, both pipes can be ordered either way, at no extra charge. |
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The P-model J. Dunbar bagpipes are so tough that they don't really need a case - still, it's nice to have one, if only to avoid frightening people in airports, etc. (That was written pre-nine-eleven ... these days, you definately do not want to wander into an airport with a naked bagpipe under your arm ....) We offer this classic rectangular hardshell case, made in Canada and supplied by Dunbar. It features stout hardware including corner irons, a gray plush interior, lockable latches and a carrying handle. We also now have available a very nice and very practical semi-soft case. It's the same general size and shape as the hard case, but made of heavy black nylon with padding. The top opens fully via a zipper, and there is a zippered pouch for music etc. This case can be carried three ways - by its grips, by an over-the-shoulder strap (detachable) and by two straps that turn it into a backpack! (The backpack straps lie neatly against the case when not in use, so nothing is dangling.) This high-quality case is made in Canada. |
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For your convenience, a quick recap of the above: Prices in U.S. Dollars Leather bag sizes: small, mediun (standard), large: no charge Bag Covers, velvet, various colors: no charge Silk cords, various colors: no charge Canmore Gortex bag, all sizes: $130 Zippered Canmore Gortex bag: $160 Synthetic drone reeds: $80 Clanrye synthetic chanter reed: $55 Hardshell or semi-soft carrying case: $85 + $10 shipping |
| Feel free to contact us by email or telephone, at (707) 937-1626, 8am to 10pm Pacific Coast time (GMT minus 7-8 hours) any day, with questions about these options and enhancements, or about any related matters. We enjoy working with both novice and experienced pipers and will be happy to talk about bagpipes with you. |
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