K-Valves

K-Valves are a new type of drone valve for the Great Highland Bagpipe that offers a minimally restrictive air flow to the drone reeds and a crisp, clean strike in and cut-off of the drone sound.

Some competition bands require their pipers to use a type of drone valve or plug for cleaner and more consistent attacks and cut-offs. Other pipers like this feature for playing solo as they feel it gives them better control of their strike in and cut off.

One issue with other fine devices on the market is the reduced air flow into the drone reeds. While this restriction reduces the tone and volume from the drones, it does aid the piper to blow steadier.

K-Valves are different in that they offer such a low air flow restriction that the degradation in tone and volume is hardly noticeable.

K-Valves are fully and easily adjustable. Just hemp the body with whatever type of hemp you prefer and install in the bottom of the drone stocks. The valve pre-load can be changed by backing the screw out to increase the tension on the rubber valve. Should more tension be desired, pull the elastic thread further out of the rubber stopper in the head of the screw and slide the small rubber plug towards the valve in small increments.

It is not necessary to remove the K-Valves from the bag to balance the strike in point of your drones. With most pipe bags you can pinch the adjusting screw through the bag and do not have to open it at all! This has not been a problem even for pipers with hybrid pipe bags. In many cases setup should only take a few minutes.

NOTE: K-Valves are NOT compatible with the Ross Cannister System