Effective isn't the word i would use. A hide bag or sheepskin bag will give you a nicer resonant sound, a stronger vibration and a overall stronger sound. Although a sheepskin will need more maintenance, seasoning, moisture. You won't be able to use items that need access to inside of your bag obviously so no ross canisters or drone valves, but you could use a split stock for moisture control. Synthetic can give you a much wider variety of moisture control, and other items you can put inside the bag, much less maintenance to keep a synthetic bag going and you can open the bag to let moisture clear. A synthetic will last longer than a hide bag usually but you trade quality of sound for ease of maintenance. I've played both a gortex, ross, and currently sheepskin and i would say that if you are serious about playing (and can afford it) a sheepskin will help drastically with sound, stability, balance, and give you an edge sound wise over other soloists BUT it takes time to learn how to properly care for a hide bag and how to/ when to season, tie in. I average a sheepskin bag lasting 2 competiton seasons playing my pipes every day to keep the bag moist but i still have the ross bag that i bought 8 years ago and it is still airtight. its all about what you want out of your pipes
If you can afford it, it's a great upgrade. You'll be able to install components like drone valves and water traps. Also, you can keep the pipes cleaner by opening the zipper to let the instrument air dry after playing.
I believe Bruce was playing a newer-style Medium Canmore bag. You can get a closer look at that bag in this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Ae4BzeFC5_k.html
