New pipe-case promises to refresh traditional market
The death of old fashioned coffin-like pine boxes for Highland pipes might be officially announced with the birth of a new product from a newly formed company. Lightweight carrying cases of myriad shapes and sizes began to take the scene in the early 1990s, and the latest nail in the wooden pipe-box is from PIPETECH, a new company based in Denny, Scotland, that has brought out the CoolBackPack.
The big differences with this carrying case extravaganza? How about an insulated pocket that promises to keep a “cool beverage” of choice cold for that post-contest refreshment, an iPod sleeve, earphone feed and an expandable compartment big enough to hold practically an entire pipe band kit?
The company has engineered the CoolBackPack using the many of the same materials deployed for leading-edge cases for video games accessories.
According to Gordon Stafford, head of PIPETECH, the CoolBackPack also boasts extra space for “personal accessories,” a large external pocket for music or laptop, an external sleeve for a practice chanter and an external web sleeve.
“There is even room in the main compartment for a change of clothes,” Stafford said, adding that the case will still meet airline carry-on luggage restrictions.
The company was started when Stafford, the former Pipe-Major of the Grade 1 Torphichen & Bathgate Pipe Band, got together with the well known pipe band drummer Billy Stirling. Stirling is co-founder and Director of Accessories4Technology, the UK’s biggest manufacturer of video game accessories. A conversation with the company’s CEO of Far East Operations and factory owner led to the recognition that there may be a market for a more expansive product for pipers.
The product is now manufactured to custom specifications in new design and production facilities in Shenzhen, China.
In addition to the new carrying case, PIPETECH is working on the PIPETECH Precision-Plus drone tuner, which Stafford said will be “extremely accurate, of modern design and complete with an external clip microphone.” He said release date of the new tuner will be “soon.”
Pricing for the new carrying case starts at £79.99.
It looks very big indeed.
That’s what she said.
yeah it look ginormous!! At least I can have a cold one as I carry that thing in an airport.
Where’s my tenor drum go?
£80 quid!? Does a set of pipes (and a can of lager) come with it!?
Even though this seems good enough for Bear Grylis, it’s nice to see people coming up with new ideas, for our hobby””
I just got mine in the mail today. IT’S HUGE!