Piper's Pal

Moisture is critical to the performance of cane reeds. Too much moisture results in mildew formation on the reed, while too little results in loose bindings, open sides, and split cane. Depending on the amount of playing you do, storing your chanter reed in your bagpipe or reed protector can result in either condition.

What then is a piper to do? Ideally, you would store your reeds under conditions that maintain enough moisture that they can be restored to playing condition quickly, but not moist enough to result in mildew. This is what the Piper’s Pal chanter reed storage case is designed to do.

Piper’s Pal chanter reed storage case maintains optimum moisture conditions for the storage of cane reeds. If the reeds are too wet, Piper’s Pal will absorb moisture from the reeds to prevent mildew. If the reeds are too dry, the reeds will absorb moisture from Piper’s Pal. Dry reeds placed in Piper’s Pal will be restored to optimum moisture content in about 24 hours, and will remain that way until they are removed.

What are the benefits of storing your reeds under optimum moisture conditions?
1. Reeds will always be ready to play.
2. Reeds will stabilize quickly and remain stable when installed in the bagpipe.
3. New reeds will be played in quicker.
4. Mildew and mold on reeds will be minimized.

Instructions for Use of Piper’s Pal
Piper’s Pal consists of a series of plastic trays that screw together on top of one another. The bottom 2 trays contain substances that maintain humidity and control mildew. The top tray contains 4 rubber grommets that are used to hold the chanter reeds in position in the storage case.
Before Piper’s Pal is ready for use, 1 measuring tablespoon (15 ml) of water must be added to the bottom tray. To add the water, unscrew the bottom tray from the rest of the storage case. Add the water, replace the bottom tray and leave standing in an upright position until all the water is absorbed. Once all the water is absorbed, Piper’s Pal is ready for use. To prevent contamination of the reeds from free water, ensure that all water is absorbed or drained from the bottom tray before putting reeds in Piper’s Pal.

To store chanter reeds, remove the top tray and cap and set it cap side down on the table. Insert up to 4 chanter reeds (staple end first) in the rubber grommets. Turn the tray over and screw back on top of the other trays. Your chanter reeds are now protected in an optimum reed storage environment.

The Piper’s Pal is designed to be portable and store in your pipe case. Once all water is absorbed, the container can be stored in any position.

Check the bottom tray for moisture content regularly. Over time you will notice that the bottom tray tends to dry up as your reeds absorb moisture from Piper’s Pal. Just add a little water and leave standing upright until the water is absorbed. If you add too much water, drain off the excess before storing reeds. The frequency with which you have to add water depends on the number of new / dry reeds placed in the container and the time it is left open.

A Recharge Kit is recommended annually. The Recharge Kit allows replacement of the chemicals in the bottom 2 trays. This ensures that the storage case stays fresh and operates efficiently.

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