Hello: as a new member of this list, let me introduce myself. My name's Bill Steinmayer; I live in the US, and I've been interested in hurdy-gurdies and other arcane instruments for quite a few years now.
I have two instruments that I've built: one four string diatonic, from a Musicmakers' kit, built around 1989, and since much modified; and one six string chromatic, loosely based on plans from the same source, built originally around '91 (also the subject of ongoing modifications to make it actually playable). I guess I became interested in the hurdy-gurdy because of early childhood memories of guitar-shaped "manivelles" seen in supermarkets Somehow, the idea of cranking out music was just fascinating; and when I encountered illustrations of *real* hurdy-gurdies in reference books, the connection was made. Add to that my growing interest in early music, and the unique sounds of its instruments, and I was hooked. Besides the two instruments mentioned before, I also have a couple of bagpipes ( one from an EMS kit, since partially modified; and another of my own design, based on a novel principle); some recorders, flutes, etc,; an experimental set of "plumbhorns" (membrane reed pipes, which inspired me to make the bagpipes); a concertina and several restored reed organs; and an organetto, awaiting eventual debugging....that's most of my instrumentarium,anyway. I will most probably be annoying the members of this list with random questions about repair techniques, wild suggestions for experimental actions, and various other things that pop into my head: so consider yourselves warned...... of course, any advice received will be gratefully accepted, if not always wisely used. Yours, W.T. Steinmayer
