Final Verdict on my Favorite Bagpipe Joint String/Hemp 

Another informative video, thanks! I switched to Polyester thread several months ago and couldn’t be happier with the results. I especially like that I can apply just one or two threads at a time to “fine tune” and get the just right of tension on the joint, compared to waxed hemp when the joint was just slightly loose and adding a wrap of hemp was too much! Again, thank you.

Finally did a set fully polyester. It took less time than I thought it would and exceeds expectations. Great stuff.

Correct sir! Teflon tape on the drone reed screws and the blowpipe only! Great video!

After seeing feeling your pipes fitting for myself, I’m sold on polyester. Thanks for the review, mate.

Glad I watched this as I use Teflon tape on my practice chanter and haven't started to hemp my Atherton's. I wasn't planning on it using Teflon tape on the Atherton's but won't now for sure.

You know my favorite part of polyester thread: HUGE SET OF COLOR CHOICES!!! I'm working on using every one them!! 😁

Good informative video Matt. I live in Ontario Canada, where we experience cold dry as well hot humid conditions. I will highly consider switching to polyester before competition season this year.

Thanks for the heads up on this idea. I just did my practice chanter and my blow stick to start. Easy to do! Update 1/11/22: I did all the joints except the chanter and we are looking good! Total cost was $15 for 5/500 yard spools and I have plenty left over.

Going to try it for myself. Thanks

This is a great video. Im about to rehemp my pipes for the first time. A guy in the band set my pipes when I first bought them.

I have never been able to use anything other than the Waxed Hemp. I've used it since I was 12 and still prefer it. IT doesn't mean I don't have swelling issues... Texas weather!

Tried polyester on the tenor & bass bottoms that slid into the stocks, blowpipe, and chanter after watching your first video about polyester thread. I left the tuning pins yellow waxed & un-waxed combo, and they have been fine. I live in Chicago where sometimes we get all 4 seasons in 24hrs, so I carry a roll of black waxed to add to tuning pins, and remove it when they swell. I’ve noticed my tuning pins don’t swell nearly as much as the bottoms do. Thanks for another informative video, keep them coming!

Know all I need to about string now thanks again Matt 👍👍👍👍👍😊

Ill probably keep wrestling hemp... until i start playing out and about and ill remember this video!! Great info :)

Multiple thanks inbound! My dad and I have been converted to poly thread for our joints. You also got us to buy a pelican case for ourselves. And I am loving the infinity chanter, I actually placed in my first solo competition this past weekend using it! You're the man!!! Quick question, where did you get the orange drone corks?

Hello Matt, I just found your channel and have been watching your videos for hours. I would be considered a seasoned piper but being such I know you are always learning and benefitting from people such as yourself. I LOVE your videos and look forward to more. I am absolutely sold on changing over to poly thread and can't believe I never thought of this before. One question, do you replace the hemp on your chanter reeds? I'm thinking you do. BTW, I also use Chesney, love those reeds. Thanks for all the info.

Hi Matt, great 'wrap-up' of your hemping test!! I dont blame you for not wanting to do that any more. can you please explain what you mean by hemp seal, I assumed it was a lubrication product simillar to the piper choice stuff. Cheers darren

Thanks for the follow-up video Matt... you are a fabulous resource! Question... where do you purchase the yellow/black polyester thread - is there a brand or thickness we can search for? Thanks!

i have a love hate relationship with bagpipe maintainance.. xD I think im not the only piper who does :P

It's quite nice if you have two waxed rolls to one unwaxed roll

I attended a workshop, with members of grade 1, St. Lawrence O' Toole pipe band. They all were using Teflon tape.

Yet again, another great video. I'm having difficulty in finding "hemp seal" here in Europe, any advice? The bees wax, no problem but that's the hard stuff. Again thanks

Are you talking about polyester string as in polyester sewing thread? Or something else?

Really interesting, what kind of polyester did you use? Planning on my first bagpipe and want a great option for changing weather. So planning to go directly on it.

So Matt, a year in how is the poly thread holding up???

my first and only use of yellow hemp scared me .... I hemped my sticks to stock only and played for 20 minuits and the swelling had one tennor stuck like glue... I was terrified I was gonna break something.... the black on the sliders was just fine so I stuck with that... Lots of detail here,sorry ... rather than doing single strands I took 3 (30ft) strings and twisted them ,did the same with 2 strands as well and have half a single spool left... why? I'm a bit OCD lol, I put the triples on first and kept it very uniform ,then in the grooves I put a double strand and packed it by twisting it into the stalk , then followed the grooves with single strand twice (one direction only , cut and restart) it looks like I put tubing on and fits great, not a gap to be seen . So in 4 full wraps effort wise I had the equivalent of 7 wraps

Hey Matt, where do you get the Dr Slick Slippery Elmwood stuff that you put on the thread for a seal?

Be interested to know if you noticed a difference in sound/resonance from your drones? I've read a few things about unwaxed hemp being the best for resonance/harmonics, even the way it's applied can have an effect. Apparently winding up and down dampens the harmonics where as winding in a unidirectional method really makes drones sing...Any thoughts? Cheers!

What's your final opinion on the wax ring as hemp seal for old heritage pipes and ebony pipes with polyester?

Clockwise vs counterclockwise wrap?? Have you tried both? Which one works better on the tuning pins?

Where can I get the polyester thread? I’ve always have had a problem with the hemp swelling to much

Seeing as here in Beaumont we got 50 inches of rain in 16 hours... i went to polyester

Yellow prewaxed hemp is with parafin wax, not beeswax. Did you ever use yellow with beeswax?

So I have started using ezeedrone reeds like you have appearing here. I don't think they fit correctly with the rubber seal they came with. How would you string these reeds up to work well?

Do you do reviews on tune books at all?

Is that a plastic chanter reed?

What about black waxed hemp? Is that the same as yellow waxed hemp? It feels thicker and stickier.