Arle et al., Thanks for the tips about the kit. I'll stay away from it.
I was looking at the Chinook, and also this one: http://larkinthemorning.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_HUR002_A_Nouveau++Flat+Back+Hurdy+Gurdy+by+Nathan+Sweet_E_ . I was hoping there might be something cheaper out there. I guess not though, right? I suppose if the instrument isn't mass produced, there aren't going to be low priced models. I'm coming from the world of guitar. Years after I began playing, I now have some nice guitars that cost quite a bit, but I started on one found at a garage sale for just a few dollars. I was praying for a kind of deja vu with the hurdy-gurdy. I'm located in Chicago. I've seen people in the area play them before, but I don't know them personally or anything like that. - Joe From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [HG] Customizing a kit Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:05:38 -0500 Joe,On this list you will get few kind words about the kits. Let's just say that they all have deficiencies that are especially problematic when you do not yet know how to take care of problems. The Musikit one is especially bad in many ways. While you can get a *playable* instrument from them, you will spend large amounts of time (and need access to tools and materials) to rectify its problems. With a kit the best I think you can aspire to is an "OK" instrument, and that only with a lot of work.Starting the hurdy gurdy is a challenge as it is and having a bad/mediocre instrument makes it that much harder. (I speak from experience, unfortunately.) If you want relatively inexpensive, yet good quality, consider ordering the Hackmans' Chinook model: http://www.hurdygurdy.com/products/chinook.htm ($1800)Where are you located Joe? It might make sense to see if there are any players in your area whom you could visit and learn from before you decide what you want to do. Even with a kit, your time investment is going to be substantial, so you should be sure you're getting what you want. And if you're going to plunk down a minimum of $1800 for an instrument, you'll really want to do your homework.-Arle On Dec 17, 2007, at 12:16 PM, Joe Mejia wrote:Hello group, My name is Joe and I'm brand new to the hurdy-gurdy. As a matter of fact, I neither know how to play nor do I own a hurdy-gurdy. But I am looking into fixing both of those problems soon. I've been researching the instrument and watching this mailing list for a little while and I've come to the conclusion that I want a hurdy with a chromatic keyboard. I read that it opens up many more options for playing music. I also want one that is affordable, since I am but a poor college student trying to finish up school. The latter part has been a real issue so far. This isn't a cheap hobby! So, I found some kits on the internet in my price range, but the problem is they have diatonic keyboards (Or tangents? What is the correct term?). I was wondering, since I am somewhat handy at tinkering, would it be possible to convert a diatonic kit, such as the one found at musikit.com (http://www.musikit.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=hurdy), into a chromatic keyboard setup? Thanks in advance, - Joe Share life as it happens with the new Windows Live. Share now! _________________________________________________________________ i’m is proud to present Cause Effect, a series about real people making a difference. http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/MTV/?source=text_Cause_Effect
