466 - Should you switch to a sheepskin bag? (Dojo Conversations Episode 136)

Why do some pipers prefer a sheepskin bag?  

In this episode, Jim and Andrew dive deep into the world of hide bagpipe bags – especially the legendary sheepskin. They draw some surprising parallels between Linux and sheepskin bags.   

Whether you’re a beginner, a seasoned piper, or just bagpipe-curious, you’ll get the inside scoop on why sheepskin bags are so beloved, what makes them tricky, and whether they’re worth the investment.   

(P.S. Make sure to tune in next week for some nitty gritty about hide bags in part 2…)  

Got a topic you’d like us to cover in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]  

Here’s what we cover this week:  

• 0:00 – Browser privacy, Chrome vs. Brave, and why Jim prefers Linux 
• 2:41 – Introducing the sheepskin bag: “the Linux of bagpipe bags” 
• 4:39 – Does the bag really affect the sound? The science and the skepticism 
• 7:13 – Andrew’s journey: from hide to synthetic to sheepskin (and back again) 
• 11:06 – Jack Lee’s advice and the quest for the perfect tone 
• 14:48 – The sheepskin epiphany: does it really sound better? 
• 17:23 – Hide vs. synthetic: what’s the real difference? 
• 21:49 – The trade-offs: cost, maintenance, and lifespan of sheepskin bags 
• 27:20 – Is sheepskin right for beginners? Why it might not be 
• 31:36 – Daily playing, seasoning, and keeping your bag in top shape 
• 36:06 – Moisture control: sheepskin vs. canister systems 
• 41:07 – High-level competition: why even the pros sometimes switch to synthetic 
• 44:28 – Hybrid solutions and the “holy grail” of bagpipe sound 
• 47:13 – Final thoughts: is sheepskin worth it, and who should try it?