Are bag pipe covers pretty universal?

**AKScott** · 20th March 12, 07:08 PM

I am kinda looking at this one, though I haven't checked with my neighbor's dogs yet.

http://www.scotweb.co.uk/product_pop...960:height=500

I guess finding a cover on sale is less whacky than other reasons for taking up the pipes maybe...

**unixken** · 20th March 12, 08:30 PM

As far as I have ever seen, the covers all appear to be a single size. The cosmetic differences not withstanding, the only functional differences I have ever seen in covers is the addition or absence, of a patch of non-slip material on the outside of the bag cover, to keep the bagpipes from slipping around, under your arm. For example, see http://www.midwestbagpipesupply.com/...idCategory=130

**OrneryPiper** · 20th March 12, 09:46 PM

There are different sizes but it does not differ a whole lot. I would call them and tell them what kind of bag you have.

**MacGumerait** · 20th March 12, 10:22 PM

There are several types of bagpipes but I suspect you are referring to what we all commonly know as bagpipes , which is " the great highland bagpipe " and the bag size & the bag cover are pretty much universal .

Years ago , the great highland bagpipe could be ordered with an oversized bag as an option ( it may still be an option , I'm not sure ) thus the bag cover would be larger .

Other than that , I think it's pretty much your choice of tartan or solid color , choice of fringe color and as unixken mentioned the option of a grip panel on the outer side .

Best wishes to you on taking up the pipes !

**rsvpiper** · 21st March 12, 03:22 AM

What size pipe bag do you have? Pipe bags come in small medium and large, most if not all modern pipes come with a medium bag as standard, so it would be safe to assume that the cover will fit a medium bag.

Saying that email em to to be sure

**davidlpope** · 21st March 12, 05:26 AM

Yes and no.

As long as a bag cover is not too small (thereby restricting full inflation of the bag) you can usually put it on your pipes. If it's too large it doesn't look nice and slides around some, but it's not a big deal.

The better bag covers are made to fit both the size and make of your bag.

I infer from your OP that you do not own bagpipes yet. If this is the case, don't buy a bag cover. You can play pipes without a bag cover, since it's only decoration anyway, but any set of pipes that you buy will almost certainly come with a bag cover.

Most pipers eschew tartan bag covers, so if you do get pipes at some point your tastes will likely have changed.

Cordially,

David

**Jack Daw** · 21st March 12, 05:36 AM

I use a large Gortex bag and the bag cover was designed to fit it. I also made a point to sew some additional fabric on the outsdie to reduce wear from my arm.

**Tartan Tess** · 21st March 12, 05:08 PM

I got a bag cover pattern off the internet rather easily. I made it for a piper with the left over tartan from his kilt and he said it worked great. PM me if you can't find it fast.

**Pyper** · 22nd March 12, 09:56 AM

Our band (like almost all of them) use matching bag covers. I changed from one medium bag to a different brand of medium bag and needed to buy a new cover because the two bags had different shape necks.

My previous bag was too big, as well, but I just ran a line of stitching to take out the excess.

**OC Richard** · 23rd March 12, 03:44 AM

Getting a bag cover to fit right can be tricky.

Having a cover that's too loose/big not only looks bad but also is annoying to play because it can bunch up under your arm.

If the cover is too tight/small the bag can't inflate properly.

The good makers make covers in various sizes.

Just getting the overall size right though is only part of the issue, because various bags of the same size can have necks of different lengths. So you'll see pipers playing where the cover's neck is too short and some of the bag and the tie-in are visible, or where the cover's neck is too long and the fringe covers part of the chanter, sometimes getting in the way of the thumb.

My favourite solution to getting a cover to fit exactly right is to make it myself and I've make quite a few over the years.

I've also shortened the neck of off-the-peg covers.

Tru-fit and some other makers will make a cover that fits precisely but of course you have to give them the measurements of your bag.

Here's Highland Gear covers, used by many top bands as you can see

http://www.highlandgear.ca/