Bass regulator - to fold or not to fold....

[Maschinot]

That is the question. I currently play a set with a "folded back" bass reg. I've never played a set with a straight bass reg.
I do some reg playing mostly on tenor and baritone, would like to add more bass. Opinions on the 2 different styles of bass regulators? Does a straight reg offer more stability, control or does it tend to get in the way?

[djm]

I'm in the opposite camp - never played a wrap-around bass. My biggest complaint with the straight bass is it's a PITA to pack. You either need an enormous case or you have to break the set down, which I'm also not too keen on.

What sort of stability issues are you referring to with the shorter bass?

djm

[Maschinot]

stability might not be the word, control is better. Sometimes i feel like my regs/ drones are slipping away from me... like when reaching for the low reg keys. Do you think the bar provides some counterbalance/leverage to keep everything where you want it?

[djm]

There is some small amount of leverage with the straight bass reg over the arm but you should be able to control the reg's movement by moving your thigh at the lower end of the reg from side to side, i.e. the leg doesn't remain static. As well, you can pull the bag closer or farther away. You'd need to be an orangutan not to need to push and pull the parts of the set about in order to reach all the reg keys.

djm

[Maschinot]

But I am an orangutan.

[djm]

Well, I rather suspected as much but didn't want to just blurt it out, you know.



djm

[Otto Kraan]

I've never been able to effectively play a set with a straight bass reg bar. Never.

OK

[outofthebox]

I have fitted my bag to the stock so that the straight bass regulator is out of the way under my left arm. The only other piper I have seen playing with this 'underarm' setup was Eugene Lambe on a youtube video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9YMVB8Wp8M

But if making a new full set, then the folded tubing would seem to me to be the best option, on ergonomic grounds.

[djm]

It appears that Eugene has taken Paddy Keenan's flat-across-the-lap position one step further in that clip.

djm