....comes the hurdy gurdy man, singing songs of....?

[Spelvin1964]

It's all right, bro. I came to the same conclusion three years ago...

For everyone else: YES, I AM AWARE that I do not own the World's Finest Hurdy Gurdy. I had already arrived at that conclusion long before this innocent video was posted. I had no plans at that point, and still have no plans to enter the Mr. Hurdy Gurdy International competition. I just thought that a local example of a local hurdy-hurdy might possibly be of interest. My apologies for my offense to the purists.

[mikeanaro20]

this is an amazing instrument. i really like the sound

[Hurdygurdytroll]

I think that some new liquid rosin (it sounds like it is unevenly distributed on the wheel) and some properly added cotton would make it sound alot better.

I´m not sure if it needs restoration from a luthier, it would be better to take a lesson with a skilled gurdyplayer, that would probably solve alot of the problems.

Keep on cranking my friend!

[erikalfastsen]

You should repair that wheel :) Great though

[Lucius1958]

Well, it depends on what you mean by 'fixed'. If you mean 'playing the way it was when it was new' (which was probably not very well), it might not cost a heck of a lot; if you mean 'playing well', then it would probably involve totally rebuilding it into something else, and would cost far more than the instrument is worth. It would likely be cheaper to get a good, but limited, new one.

[CB750K8]

Okay, everybody, draailierspeiler got me going on this idea. Resources are what I need. How much to get this instrument fixed? Where can it be sent to get the work done? I welcome any input here. Complaints are fine, but constructive advice is infinitely more valuable. Any takers?....

[draailierspeler]

Please! Remove this video untill the instrument is tuned and regulated!

[CB750K8]

Can you tell me approximately what it would cost to have it professionally tuned and regulated, including shipping? My brother, who owns the offending instrument and is "featured" in the video, is not poor, but is not rolling in it either. He is however a serious musician (on other instruments) and would probably have the work done if he could afford it. If he can get the work done, then I could replace the video with something more serious, and hopefully better sounding.

[tomasz1641]

Dr. Strangetrousers -

Thanks so much for your kind and constructive criticism, truly a rarity on YouTube. I'll check out the video you mentioned.

[DrStrangetrousers]

Nice playing actually, in spite of the instrument set up. To be honest, the biggest problem is the cottoning. - I think Neil Brook has posted a video up here on the subject - It's pretty clear and should help you with getting the cotton on evenly - Get that right and the instrument should be reasonably well balanced as you've got good chanter volume. Best of luck! Cheers, Jon

[GurdyGeoff]

Speaking as a player of a "nice" hurdy-gurdy, this is one of the worst sounding ones I have ever heard. Restoration may be wel overdue!

[tomasz1641]

I totally agree!

[CB750K8]

Are you seeing this bro? He thinks your Hurdy Gurdy is not nice :(

Well, he's probably right----Just shoot it and be done. You can borrow my 12 ga.

[tomasz1641]

Sure - let's put it out of my misery! Then Obertho can buy me a nice one. :-)

[CB750K8]

Are ya sure they're not all just "tools of the Divil"? I mean there may not be a "nice" one.

[tomasz1641]

Truly, if we take into account the symbolism of Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter Breughel, the h-g is indeed, not at all a "nice" instrument.

But...for all its not-niceness and not-well-builtness, I think maybe I will forgo shooting this one for the moment. It's the only hurdy-gurdy I have, after all.

[Orbertho]

not nice instrument. not well built

[tomasz1641]

The hurdy gurdy is a noble and venerable combination of a violin, a bagpipe, an organ, and a food processor. This one was made in England in the 1950's by Crown. One of these days I'll have it properly restored and maybe learn to really play it!