Kathy,
Yes there are modifications that you can make to make the instrument more
playable. The problem with most of the kits is that they are very very basic
as far as sophistication. First, if possible, try to get an axle that you
can add a good set of bearings to. What this means is that there may be some
metal lathe work needed or at least some sort of locking mechanism so that the
axle doesn't pull out towards the back causing the wheel to rub. There are at
least 6 different ways to do this that I know of. Some of them are very
complicated others not so much. I can send you some examples if you like.
Next, to the best of my knowledge the top is birch but I do not know if
they are using birch plywood (anyone that knows can answer directly). The
sounding board makes a difference as well as the way the instrument is braced
so
questions to the site are a must.
The kit is basic it is like having a harp with no levers. The note are
diatonic only and that leaves out a lot of music that you may want to play
(even Bransle De Chevaux with the Bb). The other thing is that the instrument
tends to be to quiet or screechy and the sweet in between sounds tend to be
unattainable. Try to find someone who knows how to set it up and have them set
it up and teach you how.
The changes to the instruments that I have seen are usually: new axle
and bearing set up, banded wheel, new quality soundboard, proper tangents and
a
lot of math.
Please understand that when you said that your husband was building it
as a gift I did not jump in and say "money wasted" because it is a gift from
the heart and I am sorry if anything I have said has soured the gift. As
players we are all very enthusiastic about getting new players and having
people
join our small group. So we try to steer people away from the kits and the
poorly made instruments so that they will not get discouraged and give up
because it sounds to harsh or won't play the way they think it should. I refer
to
them as Closet Hurdy Gurdyists because once they play for awhile they don't
like the sound of it and they put it away in the closet never to see the light
of day again. We really do want you to play and to play well, we just know
the results of to many kits that were made and players that were unmade.
Also, as an aside, I play at the Southern California Ren Faire and have
been annoying friends and family for three years with my playing. I truly
understand the culture and the weather of Faire (we refer to them as Faire
buggers too) and I have instruments that I play at Faire that I don't play
anywhere else.
If you or your husband needs help you can ask here. Although the
comments may range depending on the question you should be able to get the
answers
you need.
Scott
**************Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music.
(http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?NCID=aolcmp003000000025
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