I'll chime in here on the part of 'going budget' by building your own instrument.
Again, while there is lots of infomration out there about building low-cost gurdy like objects, and some kits that are not well designed but are attractive in price, I cannot stress enough that you still get what you pay for, and building a gurdy can be done, but you will pay as much when you add up your time and money as you will by buying a moderately expensive instrument from a professional builder. If your time is discretionary, you can realize a significant savings in dollars. There are some good drawings and plans for reasonably nice instruments out there - most will need some modifications or changes, but the list here is very good about helping with details on technical points. You will have to realize that your first gurdy will likely be just a learning project, with the end result not usually very professional or reliable, but here is where the real benefit comes in. There is very little that can give you as much knowledge of a gurdy as building one - and that knowledge is priceless when it comes to maintenance, setup, adjustment, modification, addition or subtraction from your instrument. So if you are of a mind to know all the deepest, darkest secrets and innermost workings of this instrument, I can say there is nothing more fulfilling than building one. It takes time (I am still working on what I consider my first 'professional level' project, and have been for months, it isn't going nearly as fast as the first instrument I built while I knew little to nothing. But I highly suggest for those who really get into the instrument, consider building at least one - and if you are cash poor but time rich, it can provide you with the ability to get more instrument than you could otherwise obtain, providing you pay close attention to details, take your time, don't be afraid to throw away imperfect parts, and don't cut corners. The gurdy is not rocket science, everything can be done correctly by careful measurement, slow setup, accurate adjustment of angles - and these things aren't hard to determine, they are just very unforgiving of alteration. The right materials are available. The right adhesives aren't expensive, the tools needed for most of the instrument are few, but you must have them in good order. Having a friend with a machine shop can make the difference between success and failure, because although you only need a few precision metal parts, they must be precise. But you can do it - it is not impossible. Just chiming in on another 'budget' option - it really isn't budget if you look at everything, but if you are in a situation where you can spend the time but don't have that much money, it is worth studying. Chris *********** REPLY SEPARATOR *********** On 10/8/2007 at 8:59 AM Lauwers Pieter wrote: >Doing my bit on budget priced instruments: > >I started from scrap about five years ago. At that time I wasn't >planning on putting a big budget in an instrument. My wife (!!) >convinced me on waiting a bit longer and buying a "full-option" >instrument from an experienced builder. The people who bought a cheaper >instrument and started to play together with me ended up with a lot of >problems (to silent, to loud, horrible sound, chien not responding well >and so on...) >In the long run my instrument became cheaper: during the years the >builder became a very good friend, he thought me a lot about setting up >HG's and was always open for questions (and I did ask some stupid ones!) > >Buying a HG is also building up a relation with the builder and he or >she is the person that puts the soul in your instrument. If you really >like the HG: invest in a real builder! > >Pieter > >-----Original Message----- >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf >Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Sent: 07 Oct 07 04:22 >To: [email protected] >Cc: Nancy Quense; Beth Kolle; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Alden and >Cali Hackmann; Bill and Gina Boyd >Subject: Looking for instrument - Re: [HG] Re: > > >Yes, I'll also ask you to put something in the subject line. If you >don't put >a subject in the subject line, Majordomo (the list software) doesn't add >the >[HG] to the line, and many people don't realize that it's from the list. >I >didn't, and I deleted your post. > >I am not impressed with Altarwind's product as shown on their website. >Even >if they are making all the parts in their own shop, it's still a >Musicmaker's/Musikits design. While they did add a trompette, the >handle is >totally inadequate for playing it, and I haven't heard any evidence that >it >works. > >I'll come back to the subject of a "budget" hurdy-gurdy. I think all >the HG >builders on the list will agree when I say that it takes a great amount >of >work to build a HG, and even if the price is high, none of us truly gets >paid >well for our time. A low-priced instrument is always going to be one >where so >many corners have been cut that it's not going to sound very good if it >plays >at all. > >Don't waste your time and money on an unplayable instrument. > >Full of opinions, > >Alden > >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "sylvain gagnon mini moteur 2000 inc" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> To: <[email protected]> >> Sent: Saturday, October 06, 2007 7:23 PM >> >> >> hi . sorry but i dont know where i coud start a new post ..well >,. i am >> still looking for gurdy . but i have limited budjet . i read this . >> Re: I'm looking for one as well! >> ATTENTION!!!!! Who told you EMS in Bradford do good hurdy-gurdies? >> Everything I have ever seen from there is often unplayable, overpriced >or >> both; or mayby I >> >> >> si it seemms they no more made it .... >> >> i saw . >> >> http://www.altarwind.com/contact.html >> >> but is it musikit reworked . i dont know ..same rosettes , and >they >> dont have good reputation .. well i continute tolook what is a >good >> deal for me considering my budget .. i dont want junk too ... it is >not >> easy to chose a first instrument , thanks sylvain >> >> >> > > > >*************************************************************** >Your E-mail has been scanned against Potential Virus and >Spyware/Grayware >dangers by the MOD BE SECURITY SYSTEMS. > >This e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential and >privileged information. 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