Actually my husband helped build our house and also built my mothers granny flat. I don't know about drilling but pulling teeth has been tried by some in my family. Many people buy a cheap dud car and fix it up. Sometimes it is because they like doing it. Sometimes it is because it is the only option. In an ideal world we could all buy exactly what we want but sometimes that simply isn't possible and compromise is required. Your restrictions taken to the logical extreme would mean only an elite could own a house, drive a car and play an instrument like the hurdy gurdy.
While I appreciate the sentiment and no doubt the good advice it seems a bit harsh to draw a line and say only those who can buy from an expert may own and play a hurdy gurdy. So long as they don't waste your time for advice on why their cheap kit doesn't work surely the wannabees have a place. A kit under $500 with a lot of your own labour and quite a bit of tweaking is a lot more possible for some financially than a luthier instrument starting at $2200. Fi From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of JULIE BARKER Sent: Sunday, 3 February 2008 8:28 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [HG] Re: hurdy gurdy kits...or the DIY fanatics folly. Why this obsession with kits? How many people on this list have built their own house or car? How many people on this list drill their own teeth? I suspect it is a big NO to both of these questions. The world has some very good hurdy-gurdy makers, all would have spent years learning their trade; for example, an instrument makers course in England is 4 years full time with study and practical work overseen by experienced tutors. The classic French makers spent years on an apprenticship before they were allowed to have their name on an instrument. Lutherie involves skills that cannot be learnt in a diy environment with the hurdy-gurdy requiring additional engineering skills over and above those of the violin / guitar maker; for example, respected UK maker Chris Eaton had a career making high-precision parts for missiles before becoming a hurdy-gurdy maker. So basicaly, leave hurdy-gurdy making to the experts, unless of course you are training to join their ranks. If you want a good instrument to play then get one from an expert..there is no short cut or cheap option. Philip
