Frequently Asked Questions
Which hurdy gurdy should I get? We try to make instruments to fit each player's budget &
needs. That said, check out our Comparison page (click here to view) to learn about the differences between our models.
Do
you offer a warrantee / guarantee? Our instruments are fully warranted for 1 year (we thoroughly playtest each instrument
before we ship it out). Our warrantee doesn't extend to unusual abuse of the instrument.
Why are your prices so low? The answer is rather detailed, so we created a page devoted specifically to this topic. (click here to view)
Are
your instruments professional quality? Yes! Our instruments are used by professional & amateur musicians alike. Our Hurdy
Gurdies can be heard in numerous movie soundtracks, renaissance fairs, bars, pubs, street musicians, and have been featured
in high budget films. Our instruments have played on many stages, and we have personally played hundreds of gigs with our hurdy
gurdies.
Does your HG's have a place where you can attach a strap on it? Yes. We install standard guitar style 'strap
buttons' on our hurdy gurdies, so any guitar strap will work nicely.
Where do you get your plans for your instruments? See our historical
hurdy gurdies page.
Can your instruments play in different keys? Of course! They are fully chromatic. Our lesson
book teaches you how.
I have read that hurdy gurdies are fragile and go out of tune easily, is this true? I have noticed this
on some hurdy gurdies; mainly because of the violin pegs which are usually used as tuners. We use guitar style tuners which
eliminates the note slipping inherent in violin pegs, so our hg's stay in tune very well. Hurdy Gurdies are no more
fragile than a guitar or other instrument.
Do I need to know how to read music? No. Our lesson book uses a unique
'play by number' system so you will be playing songs in no time at all. For more info on this, visit our Hurdy Help page and
view the 'How to Play-part 2' video.
What is the title of your lesson book/ who wrote it? Getting Started on the Hurdy Gurdy, by Anwyn & George Leverett.
If you are curious as to what topics are covered, you can click here for more information.
I already have a hurdy gurdy, can
I just order your lesson book? Unfortunately not at this time. We may make our book available to the public in the future.
Why
does it matter if the tangents are 'bolted' in? The 'tangents' are the mechanisms on the buttons that actually contact the string
to give you various notes. Some makers use friction fit tangents-where they are wedged into the keyshaft like a doorstop under a door.
The problem is that they come loose in dry weather and don't contact the string evenly, causing inaccurate & buzzing notes, or
just plain falling out of the keyshaft! Our tangents are bolted into place, so they can tolerate even the most extreme note
bends and vibrato, all the while reliably maintaining their intonation.
Do you make electric hurdy gurdies? Yes. If you're interested in this, be sure to include the option of a 'pickup' at
the time of ordering.