I think it's pretty simple and is called MONEY.
Most of us have had the deep desire to buy and play a HG but the cost has
sometimes made them seem out of our reach.
Hence the lure of the DIY kits.
The fact that it will take months and months of work and have to be rebuilt
several times with hand-made parts doesn't alter the dream that it's like
making a model aeroplane or a flat-pack set of shelves.
There's also a good chance that the bits have been lying around for a while and
won't actually fit without some adjustment of the woodworking kind.
Yes, I toyed with the idea and then took heed of the vast experience of those
on this list who really knew the difference between an ornament (or HGLO) and a
genuine musical instrument.
We are so used to mass-produced instruments now that it's hard not to accept
that a HG is just TOO complex to be the same.
Mine may be near the bottom end of the budget range but I didn't buy until
someone on this list said that they had one AND it had been looked at and
approved by a real player.
Some people won't take advice on HGs and, alas, they will be the ones who are
either disappointed with it and leave it in the cupboard or will play on
regardless of the sound until they hear what a real one sounds like.
(Did that myself with a set of Northumbrian small-pipes made by a good, but
elderly maker. Three finger holes were in the wrong place and boy, was I glad
to find out it was the pipes and not me after years of struggling to get them
to play in tune. I got them refurbished by another maker and what a difference!
The original maker had forgotten to "finish" them and me, in my lack of
knowledge and access to other player, didn't know).
Still, there are those that will be satisfied at even a vague HG sound. That's
a personal choice and I do, indeed, have some instruments that a professional
wouldn't touch (including a really nasty "student" flute which took three weeks
just to get the pads closing properly).
I also have 2 Wheatstone concertinas though, which makes up for them.
Colin Hill
Colin
----- Original Message -----
From: JULIE BARKER
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2008 10:28 AM
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
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Being polite is nice ,
But Telling the truth saves money ,
The MusicMaker Kit is just way too expensive for what it really is .
This is as polite as I can be , on that subject .
Morris tunes with out the " chien " will be like drum without drumsticks
.
Henry
>When buying (or thinking of) it's a good idea to ask here first.
>The comments regarding these kits are generally unfavourable unless you
>just want the fun of making something and you have the skill to do all the
>rest of the work needed to get it playing (and the extra money).
>It's likely it will cost the same as one from a maker by the time it's
>playable (and needs a lot of time spent as well).
>You will probably need an experienced player to actually set it up as well
>or there is little chance of it being playable (at least by someone new to
>HGs).
>Have a look in the archives for the number of time the list has been asked
>"should I buy a kit?" and the responses.
>The answer is nearly always "NO" if you actually want to play it.
>I'm sure other list members will add to this but, as you are new to the
>list, the warning is appropriate, I think.
>Yes, it's the doggy thing,
>Colin Hill
>>>Nice kit. The price is good too considering the price of the
>>finished product. Is the trompette the "dog" thingy? (ok I'm a newby and
>>totally ignorant)
Philip G Martin aka Drohne
www.drohne.co.uk
