Oh wow, I was NOT expecting a reaction video! Thank you so much for taking the time. Obviously, I still have A LOT to learn about gurdies, and I'm still very excited to continue learning and growing. Don't worry, I certainly don't take anything personally. :) I'm glad I have something to begin training on for now, but after having this model for a month, I'm far more aware of how much better I can do for the money. I've started joining Facebook groups to learn more, and I'm already looking forward to my next investment in a higher quality instrument. Much love from the USA!

Me: Doesnt own a hurdy gurdy and never has Also me: binge watching hurdy gurdy review videos like im some sort of expert

I think there are two things that a lot of people don't consider when buying their first gurdy. 1) The hurdy gurdy is an incredibly complex machine, so even a misalignment of a few millimeters will cause huge problems in playability. 2) Maintenance is (more than) half the battle when learning to play. And these two factors play off each other. If your instrument has fundamental design flaws like the ones you mention in this video - even though they may SEEM minor to the untrained eye - they will ultimately make the instrument nearly or entirely unplayable, because you will not be able to maintain it properly. You won't be able to tell if you have too much/not enough cotton, rosin or string pressure if there are a few millimeters of misalignment somewhere in the construction of the instrument that cause it to go out of tune, the strings not to sound properly, etc. That's why instruments like these are DEADLY for beginners! Constantly trying to fix unfixable problems will eventually kill your motivation to play, because you will think you are doing something wrong with your setup and maintenance when actually, the instrument is the problem, not you. An experienced player or luthier might be able to strip a faulty instrument and resolve some of the issues, but a beginner will be overwhelmed, and that is a huge bummer when you've laid out this much money for an instrument. :(

I don't play a hurdy gurdy because I'm about 2 years into research before I buy. I can hear the quality difference and I am not a musician. Thank you for your honest guidance!

what am i even doing here? i'm a pianist 😂 but you have a very calming and likeable way of expressing yourself, i enjoyed watching :)

About the tuning, for a first time gurdy-maker here; what factors influence how consistent the tuning will be and how long it will last?

Great Video. In regards to the Trompette/drone issue. they are in fact drones on the trompette position. she uses big thick cello strings. One of my students had one of these instruments and WITHIN SIX MONTHS of having the instrument, the strings began to pull the instrument apart and the back and sides were all separating from one another. The tangents are stacked, glued made from baltic birch plywood. Also, George's metal tangents are pretty bad, he usually doesn't even bother flattening the bottom surface and its really hard to get the tangent to sit flat on key. She didn't even touch on the wheel, which is pretty terrible. the surface of the wheel is anything but flat, and is not true. All in all, my student ended up returning the instrument and is now renting one of mine. Also, my student's definitely sounded way better than this one, but that may be an issue with the tuning of her drones.

i'm loving this video already ^^ can't wait for my first gurdy to arrive.... you inspire me sooo much! hope i could take some lessons from you wen my instrument is ready :-D

Hi from Italy! I am planning to start playing hurdy gurdy! Do you suggest to start with a 3 strings gurdy or a 6 one? Do you raccomend the gurdies made my Gordiy Staruck?

super random questions since I'm interested in getting one eventually, I want to be prepared ... I'm a little worried about caring for the wood aspect - like, would I need a humidor etc? how often do you need to change strings? how do you decide which notes to tune the strings to?

I wish this had been made sooner. I bought one of the same before this video was shot. Thank you for your input, hopefully it will be a satisfactory enough instrument to learn on. Still trying to figure out the cotton and rosin so I can actually start to play.

I'm not sure how I got here from BDG's laptop video but this was surprisingly interesting and now I know not to buy expensive instruments from random forest wizards.

I appreciate your honest evaluation

This is gripping, very interesting and very useful! Thank you for making my insomnia something worthy!

Debes ser de España, yo también vi algunos modelos en Etsy uno en particular que me llamó la atención, pero me gustaría saber en tu lugar donde y cuál es la mejor forma de adquirir una Zanfona? Porque también me he visto tentado a fabricar una como lo hizo Alanna en su canal, pero parece algo bastante laborioso, soy de México así que pensé que quizás un laudero me podría ayudar

Hola! Esa zanfona es para tocar el teclado con mano derecha??creo que me vendría mejor así! Es posible obtener una zanfona así en el mercado?

Thank you so much for all the information, both of you, and as a luthier in the uk I am fascinated by these instruments. They are technically complexed at first glance, however like all stringed instruments, once you break down the complexities into bite sized pieces the fundamentals are similar to other stringed instruments, with the same attenuations to the string as many other instruments. I am going to build one this year, using the same techniques that I would use on, for example, a viola di gamba. It seems to me that a lot of problems are due to quality control of the instrument manufacturing processes, not the finishing techniques to the instrument, and I get a lot of mass produced instruments come to me with similar problems. They are frustrating, and often easily fixed by a qualified luthier. I would, however, like to know your thoughts on using clear wax as a lubricant for the key levers, this would seem me to prevent this possible issue, and prevent excessive wear to these parts. Kindest regards, Quo @ Quo Guitars

Great lad. I was generally indecisive on what gurdy to choose and where to go with it. He is straight to the point and helpful. He set me up and let me go to the direction I needed which was all over the place at the time haha

Thank you I’m am in the process of looking to by my first Gurdy

Hi, thanks for the video. I was considering getting a Workshop Medieval gurdy, but am now doing some research and checking out other options before making a decision. Have you got any thoughts about their latest "saga" model? The quality seems to have gone up in the past few years so it would be interesting too hear your thoughts as to whether they are still not a recommended builder.

I was thinking i would by my first Gurdy. The very first gurdies i look up was workshop medieval. And yes their Gurdies is very beautiful. Then if you look at the waiting time is 10 weeks for them to make them is the first warning. I understand that a gurdy take time to do. And 10 weeks + that they have more orders. It seems look no professional to me. Now after i have do some research a few weeks on makers who seems be a Good choice for me as a beginner and for good money, is Gordiy Starukh. He seems to be very serious about his work and i have Reed very much Good rewiew about him

Hello i live in the uk please can you advise where i can buy a hurdy-gurdy strap from thank you

I know it's a bit lame but I really want a gurdy that LOOKS like the WM, especially with the celtic etching... Any advice on a better option?

Thanks for your videos. My one question as a wannabe cranker, how hard is it to play quietly or modify something like the nerdy gurdy to be fairly quiet? I want to start learning the hurdy gurdy but also don't want my family to suffer during the learning curve.

Hey Sergio I saw an impressive review of the Gordiy Starukh $500 three string hurdy gurdy on youtube for$500. Whats your opinion on this?

Sergio, I noticed how negatively you reacted to the back and forth cranking in the one video; however, it seems to be a regular feature of Andrey Vinogradav's (and a couple of others) technique. I'm a total noob but learning, so what's your advice on it?

I'm new to this whole scene, probably won't be able to afford my own gurdy for another few years, but this video alone taught me a lot. Love this dude

I am looking for a good gurdy maker in the USA. Which makers would you recommend?

Hi, what do you think about the new Nerdy Gurdy model? How does it perform if compared to the old model and the TPV Traunecker?

Thank you for these videos. I decided to buy a beginner HG from Gordii Strarukh because of your advice. I will have to wait until October 2021 for it to be complete, but I'm sure it will be worth the wait.

Hi everyone! does anybody know where is the Gurdy list he mentions at 1:50?

Are you the one i have been in contact with about the hurdy on new vr8.

What kinda of an Hurdy would you say a new player should get then? I am looking into it at the moment.

Thank you so much for this! I was ready to get this exact gurdy from WM but I've been obsessing over gurdy videos for days and glad I waited! I'm a huge fan of Patty Gurdy and listened to a lot of videos from Michalina of Eluveitie and I want to learn and have fun with a hurdy gurdy instead of noise. I'm new to the hurdy gurdy but back in school growing up I played the saxophone for about 8 years and really miss playing music. So I'm most likely going with MM instruments. I need to not let first looks online fool me into not getting a quality instrument. That emerald green fatcat looks so pretty and I'm sure I can find something I like from a proper luthier. I'm also subscribed and looking forward to more of your content!

I have only come across a hurdy gurdy recently and i love the sound of the instrument. I am not a musician. Cannot sing to save myself (way off key) and the sound her instrument was making sent bad shivers up my spine not the good ones.

Hello! I was curious if you could point me in the direction of the list of Hurdy gurdy makers you would recommend I’m very new and never played one but live the sound of them and want to know a good place to start :)

Hey there rewatching this vid for the 3rd time hehe, I’m currently playing my grandmothers one which she left to me, have been playing for 4 years now, it’s getting a little warn and I’m thinking about getting a new one, because I’m dreading the day I’ll be playing and it decides it’s met its days. Was hoping you could link the vid with some great brands that are below £2000 or offer your personal favourite around the same price limit :3 Can’t wait to see your next Vid ♥️

the problem in the groups is that everyone just repeats what others say about, no do not buy this or do not buy that but only a small handfull of people understand why they should not buy from a certain seller/luthier. The groups need a post with what you can expect with poor quality, bad/weak pegs. terrible high tones. bad buzzing and sticky keys. Otherwise you are just as blind following one persons advice as trusting poor quality sellers advice. understanding why Medieval or GallopinGurdies is poor quality is very important too and often not explained. This video is a very good video and should be seen by anyone looking to buy a gurdy, great job!

Great review video Sergio. Very good comparison. So helpful. Appreciate how light you kept it when it can be a real shitshow. Especially when you spend a thousand dollars on something that plays so bad, it's discouraging to play a bad gurdy.

Hi Just found your you tube channel and have just subscribed. I am based in England. I have just placed an order with Chris Allen for lute backed hurdy gurdy. Details to be finalised with Chris later this month. I think I have made a good choice after much research. Thanks for your videos. They are informative, helpful and most of all seem honest and trustworthy. Also your enthusiasm comes across and is evident in your videos. I will keep watching future videos. Many thanks and kind regards.

Vale, donde compro una en España?

Where can I get accurate plans for building one? ... I'm a woodworker and I've done a little research on the hurdy gurdy and I am very interested in playing it. I would rather build than buy one. It's something about knowing the soul of the instrument and growing with the instrument as I learn. If you could point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!!!

I began my Gurdy Career in December 2023 with a Marie Luise made by Walter Simons and I’m really happy with it. I choose it with a Hurdy Gurdy Player in a Workshop.

Is the NerdyGurdy a good gurdy? PLZ DO A REVIEW

Hola.. Quiero saber si hablas español para hacerte unas consultas ya que quiero intente hacer mi propia Zanfona

I’ve never heard of a Hurdy Gurdy before until today. I was watching a Home Improvement rerun on tv and Jill mentioned an old 60’s Donovan song called the Hurdy Gurdy Man. I KZfaqd it and found these videos and instruments. Very interesting.

Moments like this I wish I found this channel a little earlier as I recently received a workshop medieval Gurdy, fingers crossed it’ll be good 😅

Sergio wooo! Just an idea for ya, how about you record yourself playing some awesome tunes of your HG and upload it for us to enjoy? Maybe record some of your street music. I've watched all of your videos now and look forward to more. Also, once I finally get my HG I plan on seeing if you'd provide some lessons. Do you teach beginners with no music experience? haha!

13:00 yes, heat shrink is what its called and it is what saved me from getting new bridge mount things

Where can I find the list of affordable gurdy models that you refer to? :) The FB group?

Very good job Sergio!

Pretty late to the party here but I think another issue is that the hurdy gurdy has been attracting a lot of first-instrument players who may not have an idea or expectation of how a quality instrument should play. Even with very different instruments (been a bass player for a long time - have my first gurdy coming!) over time you develop some automatic quality markers. I'm not sure if this is her first instrument or not, but I can't help but think that it is due to her dismissal of issues that are huge red flags of a lack of build quality that may not seem so bad if you haven't spent time on quality or working through a lack of it.

Hi ive just been given a Music Makers hurdy gurdy kit. It was purchased from the U.S. in 2007 and the owner never got around to making it so hes asked me to. This video was great to show me what potential problens i could face. Have you heard of this company (Musicmakers)? And if so what do you think of them? Cheers. John. P.s. i usually make banjos

You mentioned Vrábel…what’s your take on his gurdies? Good build for good price?

Great video that helps potential buyers figure out what's important in a gurdy.

Quick question... Seems the workshopmedieval gurdy’s are built nicely though...do you think they would sound better if maybe better strings were used? Just curious because they look great and have a lot of 5 start reviews but they definitely don’t sound as good lol. All that screeching. I wonder if it is attributed to the strings they use!!! Lemme know your opinion! Thanks

Since watching your videos, I've taken your advice and done a couple weeks of research before reaching out to a lutier about putting in an order. One lutier that has caught my eye is Slavik Osipov. I'm still waiting to be accepted into the Hurdy Gurdy Cumminity on facebook so I thought I'd ask on here if you've ever heard of him or had an opinion on his models. I've read good reviews and seen good unboxings. I applied your notes from here to his videos to look for red flags but I'm still on the tip of the iceberg of hurdy gurdy knowledge. Do you have any insight on his work? its ok if not. Just wanted the opinion of someone I can trust.

Where can I find this list of HG makers?

Bagpiper here... I gotta agree that TPV was the best of the 3 you demonstrated. Hard to believe how many crap instruments are out there being passed off as the real thing.

I wish you did add more samples. But thanks alot for this vid!

i love your videos. Thank you for teaching me so much about this beautiful instrument. On a side note, i have to ask just because you literally look like family of mine, are you Basque?

I've noticed you're now in the Nerdy Gurdy builders group on Facebook! If you've not started yours yet thought it might be an idea making a video documenting your build and your experience building the NG. I think it would help a lot. I imagine a lot of people are hesitant to attempt to build the NG thinking they won't be able to do it. I put building mine off for years because I'd done nothing like this before. Took me a total of 5 days I think with staining (excluding cutting and printing). Think I would of done it a lot sooner if I saw someone documenting their first build in a video rather than reading about it and people saying "it's not to difficult. If I can do it you can do it" which I feel is actually the right thing for me to tell people haha.

Hello! He said that there's a list made by "Sona" (I don't know if I wrote it correctly) of hurdy gurdies makers. Can someone link it or send it in the comments? I'm interested but I don't know how to find it

It's unfortunate that these instruments are so expensive, but I think a silver lining of that at least for me, was that it took a long time for me to decide that I want one and to commit to getting one, a lot of money was on the line so I felt like I had to do as much research as I possibly could to find a good instrument, and I did. For a little while I thought that I would get an altarwind but I put in the research and discovered that they are not worth the money. This isn't meant to be judgmental to anyone else for how they live their life or how they think, but for how much these instruments cost, it's strange to me that anyone would spend little enough time looking into them and put in little enough research that they would ever get to duped into buying a poorly made instrument like this one. Maybe a lot of people buying them it just have a lot of spare disposable money on hand, so it's not as big of a deal to them and they spend less time and thought on deciding what they want, but I think it's pretty likely that most people buying hurdy gurdies, whether they settle for something like this or get a real instrument that doesn't even cost that much more money, or could even be cheaper, are regular people who are needing to spend quite a big chunk of money on it and they need to save up and it's a big commitment for them

Is there a Discord or Twitter Group? I do not have facebook so do not have a way to read those post there but would love with this group.

After a lot of on and off research over the past couple years I finally just decided to order a nerdy gurdy 6.3 kit to get my foot in the door and challenge my abilities as a maker. Even if it doesn't sound great I think it'll be enough to get started before i drop a grand or two on something a little nicer

I was looking for a product on eBay because I didn't have any information about the hurdy gurdy in the country I live in, and I paid for it because it was pretty, but I checked the opinions of Reddit and the rest of the community and pressed cancel. Actually, I didn't know why people didn't recommend it, but I found out that there was a problem while watching KZfaq. So I'm looking forward to Nerdy Gurdy. Nerdy Gurdy is also waiting for a review. Oh, and I'm watching your video made for beginners. I am not good at English. It's hard, but I'm trying anyway.

The medieval sample really like a dying cat 😂

Is that a bouzuki, a mandolin, or a Portuguese guitar on the wall ?

The difference in facial expression between 29:45 and 31:10 is so delightful. :D (Tbf, the sound *is* very nice)

I'm sorry if this is the wrong place for this question, but does anyone have any reviews on hurdy-gurdies from Slavik Osipov? From what I've seen they're gorgeous, and from videos of him playing them they sound right, at least to me who has yet to actually get my hands on one, but if anyone has any actual experience with them, that info would be a great help!

Wow, and here I was considering an Altar Wind instrument, lol. Well, here I am doing my research! Haha

Nice work, Sergio, subscribed. I'm an instrumentmaker in Vienna, no expert on hurdy gurdies, but I've built two and play one a fair amount. This is perhaps a side issue, but why is this maker called "Workshop Medieval", when the gurdy pictured, and all of their products as far as I can see, are obviously not medieval, but thoroughly modern? In any case, lunch is on me if you're ever in town. Cheers from sunny Austria, Scott

Every now and then out of curiosity I look at WM's gurdies to see if they took any criticism to heart and they haven't! The construction of the crank with the nut is just so bothersome, you think they'd AT LEAST fix it but no Thanks again for steering me clear of them. 11 months left on my ancestore gurdy waiting list 😊

Glad I found this before purchasing. And when where I can find a simpler flat cat model with better quality?

I'm not (yet?) a hurdy gurdy player. I very much appreciate your videos, especially this one, but I do have one comment about it... I play a fair range of instruments, and for a very long time I did not have the money to buy anything special. In fact, sometimes I had to make my own. And to be honest, I am no master maker!! :) What I did notice is that musicianship can overcome some of the negative aspects of poor workmanship in an instrument, and somes it can, in fact, turn a *really bad* attribute of a poor instrument into a feature. Now, I promise you, I am not saying that people should buy the instruments you don't recommend, because I think your channel is awesome and informative. We cannot expect anyone, especially beginners to be able to make nice sounds on terrible instruments. What I *am* saying is, in this video, you showed a really good player playing the Nerdy Gurdy, and another really good player playing the last gurdy. These were the inexpensive gurdys you recommended before the etsy gurdys. The etsy gurdys, however, were both played by obvious novices. So in that respect, it wasn't a good comparison.

hello！I want to buy one. Where can I find a reliable seller？

Absolutely no hate to her, but I can 100% tell that she is a beginner, especially to stringed instruments. I've been playing guitar for about 15 years, and when I was a beginner I was quick to forgive faults in build quality and made excuses for the manufacturer because I didn't know what was to be expected from an instrument. Tuning stability is an absolute must, as is parts not breaking. These things should only stop applying if the instrument has many decades on it and has suffered neglect. There are no excuses for faulty mechanisms straight out of the box, or having to completely retune constantly. If you are handy, and know what you are doing, some of these things can be worked with; so if you are buying an instrument at a bargain you can look past and upgrade some of these features later. The issue is, that I would NEVER recommend an instrument that I had to battle with and modify in order to achieve a playable level of quality. You can live with these things yourself, but never recommend others to go through all of that themselves. It's misleading, and subjects others to unnecessary hardships.

this was really entertaining. I can't put a finger on why, reaction videos dont normally do much for me

You can be a super wonderful person and still make shit gurdies. THANK YOU FOR SAYING THIS. Whew. Ok. Back to watching!

btw is that a mandolin in the background or an irish bousuzuki

just happening to watch this video after purchasing the Nerdy Gurdy just 4 days ago. Good to hear I did not make a bad choice for my first "real" (aka non-ugears) Hurdy Gurdy!

Hola from Oz. Wow. I would have returned this instrument after finding the first two problems. But then there was more. This sounds very much like issues with cheap concertinas - buy a cheap one in the hope that it is a good starter instrument then find out they have many problems and are hard to play so you get put off playing. A brutally honest appraisal of the instrument (not the person). I've been toying with adding a gurdy or Symphonia to my ever-growing collection. This video would be a good starting point for my research. Hasta lumbago ;)

The fat cat model should be the dieing cat model because thats what it sounds like in the upper register.

I am obsessed with this sound, more than my electric guitar

Thank you silver haired wizard. You saved me some heartache. Unfortunately I’m in New Zealand. Having trouble finding a maker in my end of the world. Have to go hunting.

Hi Sergio! I just saw this after mine arrived yesterday 🤪 I’m also a novice, yet after guidance from other videos, my high notes play well. I know I’m missing stuff here and there that you’re aware of, but I also wonder if the manufacturer saw this video and have improved the design/have become better luthiers in time. I think a great follow up would be if you could get your hands on one and dial it in as best you could, then show it’s flaws. The reviewer said they were a novice too so could easily have applied too much rosin, wrong string spacing/tension with the wheel, etc. It’s still one of the least expensive 2/2/2 hg’s available (1/3 the cost of “reputable” luthiers)… and frequently the lead time for renowned models is due to high volume order, so a small company wouldn’t have such a wait time and may not be indicative of quality… is that a reasonable request of you? Maybe reach out to them if someone in your community doesn’t have one?

Hey hurdy gurdy player here in the US $3000 in the US is actually about the average for available Hurdy Gurdys depending where in the US you are. 2000 euros is close to around $3000 USD. And after shipping and all it could easily reach that total

Where is the list of gurdies for under 2000? Is it a video or something elsewhere.

Came for the gurdy, stayed for that glorious mane

7:22 .. back in the '80's when I bought my Hubbert hg (which I still play!) I had a friend who also had a Hubbert who never used the chien, never learned the technique! For years I told her she was missing out on one of the fun parts of the hg!! But, nope, too hard, she said 🤣 Speaking of Michael Hubbert, up until the early '90's he was imho the premier hg luthier in the US! He quit making hgs (as I understand) because he couldn't financially sustain it, he was very meticulous... 9:32 .. D/G .. the superior tuning! 😉 13:07... my Hubbert has the brass "L" hooks, but the ends are rounded and highly polished. Occasionally I have broken one or the other string but never at the hook point, mostly at the tailpiece... 18:20 .. while a lot of players like the metal tangents I'm not a fan mostly because, while she says it's simple to loosen the screw to adjust the tangent, it's not practical when you may need to adjust on the fly while playing like you can with wooden ones. A compromise is the wooden tangent held to the key with a nut and bolt. Neil Brook's tangents are a good example...

Research! Yes. And your video is a quite valuable piece of the puzzle. Thank you.

"Research" to people these days has turned into "I googled some shit."

I find it so funny that she wants to sound like she made a rational, or well researched decision, yet she basically sounds like she is aware she isn’t happy with it so immediately she tries to sounds apologetic and trying to excuse the mistake she made. Would have been much more honest if she just said “meh, I really wanted to hold and play with one quick and I decided to take the risk and pay the money, but I see it probably sucks”

where i can see that list? of nice hurdys less than 2000

To Zanfoneando: Sir I applaud your ability to ""Bite your tongue" and remain polite and helpful in the face of dubious advice in this video critique. I am not a hurdy gurdy enthusiast but rather a Electric Guitarist that has played pro for 4 decades. Although KZfaq can be so helpful and truly a blessing and resource for information you would be shocked at the poor advice given out from well intending novices with just enough information to make them "dangerous" LOL So it is especially gratifying to see you correct statements that would lead otherwise beginners astray. With everyone and their uncle now with the ability to broadcast KZfaq "advice" videos that are oftentimes no more than "the blind leading the blind" I found your video here very refreshing in that you were able to correct things and still remain polite and encouraging ...Because their are also quite a few "Reaction videos" on KZfaq where the host rudely and needlessly tears the original poster to shreds especially when no purposeful deception was intended by the original poster (but rather just a lack of knowledge and experience) So your video here mentors to others that a corrective video can be helpful, instructive, AND polite and respectful: ...I hope we can see more of this type of video in the future that dispels incorrect information and does so in a humane way......By doing this we all walk away the better...even the person that was originally unintentionally in error Thank you again .....TIM

This sounds like the difference between buying a cheap plastic recorder in a supermarket, which is hardly an instrument at all, and a handmade one from a maker.

i came here from the channel from "Andrey Vinogradov" and his incredible Sexy instrument. i think the "Drehleier" (hurdy gurdy in German) is an instrument who is interesting for future. i think i build my own Nerdy Gurdy because i can usa a Laser cutter and CNC Machines for free and train a little bit whith this instrument bevore i buy a Monster like andrey´s gurdy

Hi could you test the gateway gurdy? its an entry level price gurdy. It has a kickstarter