3D Printed Bagpipes the Future of Bagpipe Music???

[@dennisdudley4419]

I have both a set of 30 years old R.G. Hardie pipes,and a set of AB 2 McCallum synthetic pipes, and I have to say, I like my synthetic pipes the best. The tonal quality is excellent, but the durability is what won me over. They don't Crack, warp, chip,or require that you constantly have to monkey with them for them to sound like they should. Once you get them set, aside from a little tweaking here and there, they're set.

[@robertgalyan]

I am a relatively new piper and picked up a set of carbon fiber pipes that get lots of comments from both lovers and haters. Fascinating technology but you are so correct about nothing beating a nice set of Blackwood pipes.

[@Ndropazin]

Hi ! As a music instrument maker hobbiyst, I used to craft wind instrument (traditionnal japanese flute) with natural materials but with covid and ressource shortage (you need precise aged and sized bamboos), I had to find another source of mats to keep on making such instruments. So I tried 3D printing (PLA to be precise), results are "not so bad" compared to natural versions. For a tiny fraction of the price, you can have a pretty decent instrument to start with. A real normal shakuhachi price begins at 600€ (what I call western standardized tone), you can find less expensive but it depends on your luck, it will perform nicely and you will be able to play with. Highier grades are much more expensive (some more than 5000€). 3D printing will offer the real entry price performance for something like 40€ (pla+energy+a tip for the 3D printer owner). For 3D printed bag pipes you will have much more problems to solve : - Drone reeds. You need a flexible material to have a good vibration without breaking and having a "buzzzzz" sound. Standard PLA/ABS will break, carbon may do the job or ninja flex thread. - Surface finish. A 3D printed solid has its defaults (warps, lines) which will disrupt the air flow and so the sound ; always use a nice and soft sanding. - Filling ratio. By default you may use a 15% filling rate but the drones will feel brittle and propagate a parasite vibration, 30-50% filling rate begin to offer a decent result. - The bag. I know no way to render a 3D printing bag, if I had to print a bag pipe, I will have to buy a bag which is quite expensive. But then after, you will be able to add your own customization. A much much better choice than a "rosewood" atrocity coming from a low cost online plateform.

[@yorganyog]

You don't print reeds. That's not the point. You can fill 100 per cent. Shepard's bagpipes uses the chanter with polymer "polypenco". Some say its the best and its flexible. So.... I need to try to see how different and if its worth. You can anyway work the outside, and more important, inside with another techniques

[@yorganyog]

Shepard's bagpipes uses the chanter with polymer "polypenco". Some say its the best and its flexible. So.... I need to try to see how different and if its worth. You can anyway work the outside, and more important, inside with another techniques

[@paulcrawford8425]

I do like the sound of olive wood medieval bagpipes, they have a nice tone.

[@PhotographyByDerek]

I have a set that someone else made, and a couple of sets that I printed. They sound great, but they are a HUGE pain to manufacture by the time you print them, ream and lap them, finish the exterior and go through final assembly. It does make you appreciate well made traditional pipes.

[@kylesplane]

I find 3D printed sets to be pretty similar in tone to standard delrin/polypenco sets (unlike the McLellans that Ally uses, which have a cellulose lined bore). My only hang up on them is questions about durability - printing them for strength is in the exact opposite orientation that you would do for aesthetics/least post processing. But definitely interested to see more of them as the technology matures. I definitely enjoy the amount of customization/experimentation that the technology allows.

[@jonnozilber4504]

My man's got great taste - Melbourne Ska Orchestra are the biz

[@BCSchmerker]

+USAKiltsOfficial *Thanks for the user perspective.* 3D printing as a manufacturing process is just past the experimental stage. I'd think fiber-reinforced plastics a practical material for drone barrels, as Flare Audio had difficulty with the E-PROTOTYPE earset crumbling on the listeners.

[@waveydaveyav8r442]

On the contrary, GE has been 3d printing Jet engine parts for the better part of 15 years. Rocket engine parts have been printed, and outside the semi-success of Relativity, 3d printed rocket parts have gone to space for several years now.

[@thetoonpiper]

I am currently using a set of Delrin Bagpipes they are ok great if your travelling around they are very durable. But as Ally mentions Blackwood or Ebony wood pipes are better for tonal quality. A piper in my old band made his own pipes out of Sycamore wood great tone.

[@krispiper3104]

What I don't understand is why bother using ABW pipes if you are just going to put a plastic chanter on it? The melody comes from the chanter. Much like a clarinet or oboe, wood will provide a warmer tone. That said I HAD a set in all blackwood including chanter. Traded it all in on polys. Living in NEPA and doing the type of playing that I do, I no longer have to worry about cracks when I am in extreme weather or under hot stage lights then out into the cold car. If you have a really good set up, there is really not a lot of difference (and I have decades of "wooden instruments are always better" beaten into my brain). It's more about the player than anything.

[@BartholomewHunt87]

The algorithm brought me here. Interesting

[@krispiper3104]

What is derlin? Is it different from delrin? I've never heard it called derlin. But I am only piping a few years.

[@therealjetlag]

She’s pronouncing it wrong.

[@JustLost1030]

"Don't Let the bastards grind you down" by the Toasters

[@havanarick9545]

Do they have no one else to be on their set?

[@daledavidson7266]

Like having a pretty girl on 👍 much more fun than the guys 😂. Still sorry she and her friend are not coming to Nashville. Ya'll have helped me big time on all things Scottish. Old Hickory, Tn. 🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@maxwellfan55]

Just on a kilt vibe. I think this video proves a girl CAN wear a traditional kilt and sporran together and look absolutely great. I never knew what all the fuss was about?

[@nataliesmith4102]

I've been piping for 25 years. I've never heard any "fuss" about women wearing traditional kilts. And yes, we are women, not "girls." You wouldn't like to be called a "boy "would you? Don't call a woman a "girl. "

[@maxwellfan55]

@@nataliesmith4102 Throughout my life I've been called many things, but as an old piper I'm more than flattered to be called a boy, even "old boy". In my country, women often refer to themselves as "we girls" when together, or when going on a "girls night out". Maybe it's different where you live. Try not to get hung up about it, we're just discussing kilts where I was passing a compliment.

[@nataliesmith4102]

@maxwellfan55 It's not a compliment. Not even close. Maybe instead of trying to explain to me why you (as a man) don't find it offensive you should LISTEN to a WOMAN telling you that it bloody well IS offensive and work to remedy your behavior. It's a pretty simple process.

[@nataliesmith4102]

Some women choose to refer to themselves as "girls. " that doesn't mean that you get to use that term. It doesn't give you permission. Just like when a person of color uses a derogatory term for themselves doesn't mean you get to call them that. Simple. Simple.

[@maxwellfan55]

@@nataliesmith4102 Wow, having another bad day luv? Bet you're fun to live with (not). So you don't like women sometimes being referred to as girls, or women calling themselves girls? Ok, we get it. To conclude this nonsense, can I ask you something? D'you have any history of mental illness?

[@MeCooper]

I don't know anything about bagpipes but I can't help but assume this is a solid "No." Maybe it's the Australian in me but nothing replaces good old animal product.

[@w.reidripley1968]

Standard Settings (vol.2??) regales us with a tale of how the Scots Guards lost some perfectly good blackwood pipes in the Malaysian Emergency to voracious wood eating tropical insects, who found blackwood very palatable. 3D printed bagpipes, hopefully not so much.

[@nataliesmith4102]

The 3D printed parts don't replace anything made from an animal. Wood is from trees. Trees are plants.