As much as I agree with Ulrich's concerns regarding quality (a quick search of youtube proves his point), I think that helping amateurs recognize and make better instruments can only help the situation. I have no problem with the discussion being here, and it would be a shame to lose the expertise that so many on the list can provide. If it is the consensus of the list that the topic be moved, that is another matter, of course.
--Norm From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ulrich Joosten Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2011 11:43 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [HG-new] Specifications for proposed 'builder gurdy' - part 1, start with one important dimension Dear list, didn't someone propose tho discuss this topic on a special luthier list ? For me this discussion is quite non-interesting. sorry, I do not want to offend anybody. I have my opinion on hurry-gurdies built by amateurs. I did built one some 30 years ago, starting from a building kit which was quite expensive: about 800 German marks at that time. I survived the building somehow. But this instrument sounded horrible, it was extremely hard to handle, very unstable in tuning, too much string pressure, too much this and too less that. In the past 35 years a lot of qualified instrument makers worked hard to develop modern instruments that really SOUND like a "real instrument" - in fact they worked hard to make this instrument no longer suffering from it's bad image since the Praetorius days. I hate the idea of some enthusiastic amateurs proudly presenting their newly tinkered gurdy with a horrible sound. Audiences may get a total wrong impression of what the instrument today is able to sound and play. Pardon my, but my opinion! I agree to most of the arguments spread (if it is possible or not and how it could be done) and I do not want to be the dog in the manger, but please keep this topic off this list here. Best regards, Ulrich Von: Kazimierz Verkmastare <[email protected]> Antworten an: <[email protected]> Datum: Wed, 2 Nov 2011 20:44:34 -0500 An: <[email protected]> Betreff: [HG-new] Specifications for proposed 'builder gurdy' - part 1, start with one important dimension I kind of like the idea of developing the plans for such a creature around the best practices as agreed upon by those who know, specifically keeping in mind the limitations of most beginner luthier's shop setup. Designing for the beginning builder without being condescending, if that is possible. If we are to truly gain the kind of understanding of the instrument that makes it really worthwhile to build it, then understanding the design issues is important, and there is no better way to gain this than actually designing one. Besides, a functional plan set can allow those with more experience and resources to do things like changing the body shape and style, changing the head type, changing some aspects of the keybox, while staying faithful to the important dimensions, sizes and angles. So if there are some interested in pursuing this flight of fancy, I suggest that we first decide on a scale length. In my early research, while I was looking to design my sinphone, I was trying to make things easy on myself by settling on a good 'normal' string length so that I could obtain strings relatively easily. After getting a dozen answers, the most common I received was 345 mm. I am not suggesting we use that particular number, but I think we need to set one important dimension in order to start designing the rest. Any other suggestions or comments, from builders or players, on what luck they have had finding strings for certain scale length instruments, and if anyone has experience with multiple instruments with different scale lengths, what seems to be the most conducive to playing different styles of music? Just trying to keep up the momentum up. Chris -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "hurdygurdy" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] 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. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "hurdygurdy" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] 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. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "hurdygurdy" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] 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.
