Wild Boar Chanter Stock

Let me state at the outset of this post that I hope you like this…… but truly do not care if the wild boar decoration on my GHB chanter stock offends your sense of traditional stuffiness! I hold that bagpiping is a visual and auditory performance art. Pipers wear traditional Scottish kilts, belts, socks, daggers, sporrans, sashes, and bonnets. This attire brings to life simultaneous histories and memories of Scottish high ceremony, high celebration, and high rebellion. The overpowering sound of Great Highland Bagpipes too can heighten formal pomp and ceremony and also joyful revelry and wild rebellion.

The wild boar’s head perched on the neck of my bagpipe is for the wild times. My son, Grant, has a 3D printer that created it layer by layer over the course of about 20 hours. When mounted, the boar’s head is close to the chanter’s upper thumb and index finger holes, but does not impede playing and adds minimal weight. The leather and copper rivet harness serves two purposes: 1) it looks cool and secures the boar’s head onto the chanter stock; and 2) it provides easy access to the chanter reed when necessary.

Snort! Enjoy!