Re: [HG-new] Re: Affordable Hurdy Gurdy Construction

[Kazimierz Verkmastare]

Seems you are about to embark on this experiment with the right attitude and expectations.  You will not find many builders here, and those that have built will often tell you they don't know enough except maybe about their very own instrument to make suggestions or give advice, and the professional builders here can't be faulted for keeping their hard-won knowledge, trade secrets, and experience mostly to themselves (although all those I have contacted personally with specific questions have answered willingly - just not making their own possession of knowledge and skill public domain). I can tell you about the time, the frustration, and the end result of my experiences so far, but I am loathe to try to help you build your gurdy, I simply am not qualified to teach, to comment on dimensions or design from anyone else.  I can tell you how I handled things in my own design, how I didn't end up with a full-featured gurdy, how I am modifying the design so that the current project will be a full featured gurdy.   This list is mainly populated by players, the most extensive technical information here will be on strings, adjustments, tunings, microphones, music issues - the gurdy is not an instrument that a majority of dedicated players build (or even a significant minority, for that matter).  It really isn't set up as a support group for craftsmen, though you will find a few here, and so often it doesn't feel welcoming and enthusiastic for amateur builders - mostly because so many folks here have no real interest in the issues of building from start.     But we all like seeing the toys, all like hearing them.  Most folks here would rather focus on tuning, adjusting, learning, and playing issues, and from my experience when the list becomes more active with building issues and stuff, it isn't as interesting to a majority of the list.   I will say, though, I have gone back through the archives, and I don't think I have seen a thread this active in a long, long time.  Maybe that counts for something...   Chris > I am the new member Tim, and you guys are mistaking me for the > original poster of this topic. I am NOT the one that wants a free > gurdy. I am making Graeme McCormacks Jiri from scratch and hope to > share my experience and photos with you guys. It is made from a > modified lute, but Graeme's plan shows measurements for making the > mold to build your own luteback version. As a prospective new > member of this group I surely didn't feel welcome and the rude > comments directed at me were, I believe, because I was mistaken as > someone asking for something for nothing. Nothing could be further > from the truth. > > I want to share my experience building Graeme's Jiri from scratch > and learn from the experienced builders here. My posts have all > been about contributing to this group about building a gurdy - not > arguing about why I can't. If it takes several attempts, so much > the better. > > If I am typecast as the bad guy, please reread this thread. I am > just looking for a forum that encourages the exchange of ideas on > building a gurdy. I did not and would never whine about the cost of > kits or whatever, I just want to build one. I have built most of > the luthier tools I need to build my violin, but this danged hurdy > gurdy bug has bitten me bad and I'm going to build my first and > hope to share my experience with a group like this. > > Sincerely, Tim. Beginning Luthier > > > On Oct 17, 5:40 pm, maesoph <aesoph_fam...@yahoo.com> wrote: > >> Dear All: >> >> Per your advice, I have contacted Hurdy Gurdy Crafters and am >> quite pleased with the responses from Mel and Ann there.   >> However, I don't think I can tackle a Hurdy Gurdy from scratch >> and can't really afford the kit.  Is there any middle ground out >> there somewhere?  I need to make an HG that ultimately can be >> sold, so quality has to be there, but I can't shell out $900 for >> a complete kit and only sell the HG for $1200 or so (just >> guessing, but it's unlikely I would get more unless I was a Pro >> at this).  Any chance of getting material cost down to $500 or >> less??????  Any ideas would be appreciated - maybe I should take >> this straight to Mel and Ann though??? >> >> Mike -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "hurdygurdy" group. To post to this group, send email to hurdygurdy@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to hurdygurdy+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/hurdygurdy   The rules of posting, courtesy, and other list information may be found at http://hurdygurdy.com/mailinglist/index.htm. To reduce spam, posts from new subscribers are held pending approval by the webmaster.