Thanks John, another great myth bites the dust.

The only way I can see to get a discussion on the relative merits of PVC pipe back onto a folk music thread is the mention that the 12mm diameter piping (the PVC sort is used as electrical conduit in Australia, and the black ABS/polythene stuff is used for garden/agricultural/horticultural water reticulation almost everywhere) is used for ad hoc wind instruments by various people. The best proponent by far would have to be Linsey Pollack (he of the musical carrot, kitchen-glove gaijda, gaffer tape & "Kev the roadie" fame) who gave a great set of worshops at this year's National Folk Festival (in Canberra) with such piping.

Great sounds, but much too narrow for Sorcha's bows. Although, if Sorcha used lots of his offcuts in a frame he could make a great 'thongaphone'.

Cheers, Rowan