Frequently Asked Questions.

Q.1 What is the recommended way to tie in the chanter stock to my Monarch Bagpipe Bag?

Answer. Click here for pictorial and descriptive instructions.

Q.2 What is the recommended way to tie in the blowpipe and drone stocks of my Monarch Bagpipe Bag?

Answer. Click here for pictorial and descriptive instructions.

Q.3 Is there a down loadable version of the stock tie in procedures?

Answer. Yes there is. Click here for detailed instructions and warranty.

Q.4 What is my Monarch Bagpipe Bag made of?

Answer. The Monarch Bagpipe Bag has been constructed from a purpose designed breathable fabric specially made for the bagpipe bag. The fabric allows moisture to transpire from the inside of the pipe bag to the outside where it evaporates quickly. This special fabric is neither a wilderness fabric nor an out door garment fabric as some other synthetic fabric bagpipe bags are made of.

Q.5 Why are the grommets so flexible on my Monarch Bagpipe Bag?

Answer. The grommets have been molded from a specially formulated material so that you can adjust your blowpipe and drones to best suit your physical comfort.

Q.6 Why is the zip of my Monarch Bagpipe Bag at the back of the pipe bag?

Answer. The zip has been placed at the rear of your bag to keep it away from your bag pressure arm, allowing your arm to be free of protrusions that would affect your comfort. The zip is also least likely to be damaged from bending at the back of the bag when the bagpipes have been boxed after a playing session.

Q.7 What sizes of bagpipe bags are available in the Monarch Bagpipe Bag range?

Answer. Both the Monarch Standard and Monarch Swan come in three sizes and are coded by the colored stock grommet reinforcements.

Maroon is small, Green is medium and Blue is large. The Monarch Small Pipe bag comes in one size only.

Q.8 What other bagpipe bags are available from Monarch Bagpipe Bags?

Answer. Monarch Bagpipe Bags keep in stock left handed bagpipe bags and will make custom bagpipe bags for a piper if asked. Please contact us for more information on custom bags.

Q.9 How do I apply bag dressing to my Monarch Bagpipe Bag?

Answer. You don’t! As far as most pipers are concerned, that era is over. Your Monarch Bagpipe Bag has been made from a synthetic fabric which is very airtight yet still transpires moisture from the inside of the bag to the outside where it is quickly evaporated. Applying pipe bag dressing is not necessary and would only deteriorate the special membrane in the fabric and destroy your bag. Do not apply pipe bag dressing.

Q.10 Can my Monarch Bagpipe Bag be washed if it gets soiled?

Answer. Yes you can wash your Monarch Bagpipe Bag. The preferred way is to use warm soapy water and wash the bagpipe bag using a sponge, inside and out and then sponge with clean water inside and outside till the fabric is free from the soapy wash water. Wipe the bag inside and outside with a clean dry cloth to hasten the drying process and then hang the bag with the zip open in the shade to dry.

Q.11 What is the preferred way to tie in the stocks to my Monarch Bagpipe Bag?

Answer. It is up to you. Our preferred way is to use cable ties on the blowpipe and drone stocks and a stainless steel clamp on the chanter stock. The cable ties have a lower profile and are less likely to snag your pipe bag cover and damage it. However the stainless steel clamps are equally effective but do have a higher profile and if not covered will possibly damage your pipe bag cover. The piper is given a choice when ordering the bag. Please click here for more details.

Q.12 How do I maintain my Monarch Bagpipe Bag?

Answer. It’s very easy. After a good playing session allow your pipes to dry out before boxing them. Do this by removing your blowpipe and chanter and then open the zip for internal moisture to dissipate. The quicker the moisture is removed from your bagpipe bag the least likely it is to accumulate molds and fungi.

Occasionally sponge out the inside of your bag with warm soapy water and then sponge with clean water and dry.

Lubricate the zip when it gets stiff.

Maintain your canister drying system if you are using one. Dust from the granules can get into the zip and the reeds making them all less effective.

Q.13 What does the warranty on my Monarch Bagpipe Bag cover?

Answer. Monarch Bagpipe Bags warranty covers workmanship and materials used in the manufacture of the bagpipe bag for a period 12 Months from the date of purchase. Conditions apply. Please refer to our download sheet.

Q.14 Is my synthetic fabric Monarch Bagpipe Bag more hygienic than an animal hide bagpipe bag?

Answer. Yes it is if it is maintained correctly. Animal hide bags are an organic substance which can easily accumulate bacteria from the moisture coming from the piper’s mouth and lungs and over a period of time this builds up in the animal hide bag as moulds and fungi which cannot be washed from the hide bag without destroying it in some way. Some modern bagpipe bag dressings claim to address this problem but the moulds and fungi cannot be completely eliminated.

On the other hand your Monarch synthetic bagpipe bag is easier to dry out and clean quickly thereby eliminating the problems of the animal hide bags. The cleaner you bag is the less pathogens will reside in it.

Q.15 Is it true that synthetic fabric bagpipe bags are mass produced and are not made with the care and attention as claimed by some makers of the animal hide bags?

Answer. Not true. Speaking for Monarch Bagpipe Bags only, we take much care and attention to detail and approximately 5 ½ hours to manufacture our Monarch Swan bagpipe bag and 4 ½ hours to manufacture our Monarch Standard bag. We guarantee the workmanship and quality of all our bags. Each bagpipe bag is meticulously hand crafted and is guaranteed to do what we claim it to do.

Q.16 Is it true that the tonal quality of a good set of bagpipes is lessened by fitting them to a synthetic fabric bagpipe bag?

Answer. No! Definitely not true. It is claimed that hide bags give a better and more stable tone but it is also claimed that synthetic fabric bagpipe bags do the same thing. Both statements are true but only in relationship to the quality of the pipes fitted, the reeds matched and the whole instrument tuned correctly. Two of the things that can kill the tone of a good set of bagpipes fitted to a hide bag or a synthetic fabric bagpipe bag are drone regulator valves and canister drying systems. Any bag fabric can give a stability and tonal change to the bagpipes and this is influenced by the conditions under which the bagpipes are being played. For example: - Wet player, Dry player, Hot or dry conditions, Temperate or tropical climates and not to mention air-conditioning.

One thing is for certain, Your Monarch Bagpipe Bag is very stable when it comes to transmitting moisture from the inside of the bag to the outside. The fabric has been made for bagpipe bags and not for other items such as shoes, ladies purses, lounge chairs, saddles and garments.