$20 Hurdy-Gurdy's and Other DIY Awesomeness!

[noahsummers]

While looking for a reasonably priced low D tin whistle, I came across this guy, who shows how to make your own; he makes all kinds of instruments out of cheap hardware stuff (even a bagpipe!) and gives all the plans away on his webpage!  If you scroll down to the bottom, there's a labeled photo of him with most of the creations.



(The description of this video names all the instruments shown.)


The two I want to try out are the "$20 Hurdy Gurdy" and the "Conduit Tubing Xylophone" (to replace my - what I perceive to be - rather poor-quality glockenspiel).  If you don't know what a Hurdy Gurdy is, I must enlighten you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4y7HNW972M&feature=related

[ubizmo]

For a very reasonably priced low D whistle, check out Guido Gonzato's web site: http://www.ggwhistles.com/index.html.  I have a mid-range G whistle that he made, and it's terrific.

Ubizmo

[armisis]

Wow!!! Love the hurdy gurdy, just wish a nice one wasnt so over priced!!! hahaha way way to over priced for what it is. hehe

Dave

[noahsummers]

Ubizmo: Thanks for the link!  $60-something is still a bit much for me and my near-empty pockets, so maybe I'll try making one.


Armisis: I wouldn't say Hurdy-Gurdy's are overpriced; the high-end ones are often real works of art, just like violins or fancy ocarinas.  If I spent all that time crafting one by hand I'd charge someone a couple thousand for it too!

[armisis]

Good point, and your right, I'm just to use to companies that chunk out things mass produced that look hand made and all and then charge as if it was but your right.

Dave

[Nephiel]

I've seen that instrument before in Galicia, they call it zanfona. I love how it sounds.

A good song featuring a zanfona is A Bruxa as performed by Milladoiro on their album A Galicia de Maeloc.
If you like celtic and medieval folk music, I heartily recommend to check them out.

Armisis: I wouldn't say Hurdy-Gurdy's are overpriced; the high-end ones are often real works of art, just like violins or fancy ocarinas.  If I spent all that time crafting one by hand I'd charge someone a couple thousand for it too!

I'd say a zanfona is actually harder to make than a violin... there are a lot of mechanisms and moving parts involved.