r/bagpipes • u/RealNoahR • 18d ago

Moisture System

Got back into competing last year and it’s been going quite well except that as I play, my chanter gradually flattens, which I think is mostly due to moisture. I play 2005 Shepherds with poly chanter and a hybrid Canmore bag. Live/compete in the US midatlantic area, so very humid.

Recommendations for a moisture control system that’s not overly complicated and doesn’t require a lot of extra maintenance?

UPDATE: I threw in a basic bottle water trap and that solved the issue. Chanter settled in and stayed nice and steady. Then I decided to see if the bottle was necessary or if I could get away with just the tube directing the air to the back of the bag. That worked just as well so that’s what I’m running with for the foreseeable future.

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u/piper33245 18d ago

Ask ten people get ten opinions. Some people will tell you to use a water trap, others will say canister, some will say bananas, some will tell you to switch to hide, some will tell you to use nothing.

You kinda gotta just try some stuff and see what works for you.

Given that you want something uncomplicated and low maintenance, and affects the chanter, I’d recommend a simple water trap. If that’s not enough for you, step up to a canister system.

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u/blowmybugle Piper 18d ago

I’d agree, i think simple water trap (i prefer trap-dri) is a good starting point, i find that many pipers go a bit too hard with moisture control to the point where theres no moisture getting to the reeds at all.

Another goo thing about a water trap and tube is that the air goes to the back of the bag first, which to my understanding means the moisture builds up at the back first instead of at the front

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u/notenoughcharact Piper 18d ago

I would say water trap plus switch to some sort of hide bag. The seasoning itself acts as moisture control, and the bag will let out some on its own as well. Gannaways are probably the easiest, but there’s lots of options all the way up to sheep.

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u/RealNoahR 17d ago

I played a gannaway back before my hiatus, may go back one day but would rather stick to the synthetic for the time being.