Chiff and Fipple Forums

Something I've noticed about the uilleann pipers I've played with regularly at sessions (I play other instruments) is their implementation of carrying cases which are like 3 feet long and probably weigh at least 3 times as much as the instrument itself does. I'm wondering if it's possible/feasible to disassemble the longest parts of the full set, allowing a smaller carrying case to be used. This concept came to me because I'm considering taking up the instrument and would like to make ownership easier on myself if possible.

A friend of mine carries his 3/4 D set in an only slightly modified lightweight hardshell fiddle case, with ample room for accessories, whistles, etc.

viewtopic.php?p=983910#p983910

I carry a C set in a case measuring 70x22x17 cm. Most sets can' have the bass reg bar removed though (mine slides off) and having that attached is what gives you the length most cases have.

I think the friend MT is referring to hasn't a full set but a 3/4 one.

I fit my Williams D 3/4 set and a Pratten flute, with room over for 2 whistles, extra chanter, beeswax, pipe stuff, in standard unmodified oblong fiddle case.
Carry the bellows in the small backpack I always carry with camera, rain jacket, book. Could probably remove padding/foam from the fiddle case and get the bellows in there too.

Mr.Gumby wrote:I think the friend MT is referring to hasn't a full set but a 3/4 one.

Oops, you're right - I honestly hadn't paid attention to the regs. Corrected above.

Full set of my Concert D pipes without exposing the reeds comes down to 560mm long with removal of Bass drone top, Baritone drone top, Bass drone tuning Tenon and Bass regulator (held by two locking cams rather than the more usual dovetail slide). Taylor style bass regulator with folded seperator does not need to be removable. Case using this as an internal length (you would need to allow for some padding as well) would need to be deep and wide enough to house the removed sections plus the bellows and bag.

I fit my full set easily into a 29" case with no disassembly. My bass reg has a 180 bar, and the bass drone has a larger "loop" section so it doesn't stick out as far (only slightly longer than the baritone drone).

I could probably fit the set into a 25" case if I removed the bass drone slide and bass reg.

I don't have a picture, I'm afraid, but when he travels, Gay McKeon stuffs his D full set into a seemingly impossibly small case. The damn thing doesn't look much bigger than a concertina case, I swear... It must be seen to be believed. However, to make it work, he has to disassemble everything down to its smallest possible components and remove all of the reeds, which he keeps in a separate box. Must be a pain to take apart and reassemble all the time on the road...

yeah...i believe i saw Wally Charm have his down to the piece, too...and put everything in a computer bag!

A well known piper in Ireland showed me his coyne set which he carried in a matchbox!!! amazing

Steampacket wrote:A well known piper in Ireland showed me his coyne set which he carried in a matchbox!!! amazing

"A well known piper in Ireland showed me his coyne set which he carried in a matchbox!!! amazing"

He had a 1 cent, a 2 cent, a 5 cent, a 10 cent, a 1 euro, and a 2 euro coin. all the the coins were in mint condition and fit nicely in the matchbox

Bad pun!

I get a full set & bellows & assorted whistles etc into one of these:

http://thistleofblantyre.co.uk/index.ph ... ucts_id=38

But I have got a Galloway set ( with the 180 degree return bass reg).

At a push I can get another 1/2 set in there too.

Well I guess this is compact as you can get there other other photos posted here plus a description
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=45979&hilit=new+mea ... b&start=15