My Monarch's First "Gathering"

Debut in Chicago

Finally after a bit of stringing help from Mel. OK, actually quite a bit as we were hurrying to get my Monarch ready for the trip to the Sherman’s in Chicago for a Hurdy-Gurdy gathering. It was a wonderful day and around 12-14 players in attendance. Although I have not learned the techniques of playing, it was very helpful to listen and try to mimic those playing. Everyone agreed that learning to tune, cotton & rosin, and then master the crank while hitting the right keys which change depending on which tuning you are using can be quite overwhelming. So for those of you who are just beginning, be encouraged that there are many of us out there and many others who have been there! It really helps if you can find another HG player even within a few hours drive to spend an afternoon with to get you started. You can always feel free to call us and Mel is very good at coaching over the phone or knowing someone nearby who might help. Contact information is on our site; Hurdygurdycrafters.com

Enjoy the Journey!

More to Learn

Finally, the key chest is firmly attached to the gurdy body! I managed to sand the block at the wheel end to fit the arc of the top without scratching the sound board. We have decided that the arc is not large enough to affect the sound but is mostly cosmetic. Thus in the future, the manual will mention this. Oh no, another change I need to make in the builders manual. Building my own Monarch was a good idea but is making more work for me in the long run. I also learned why some builders choose to finish the instrument after parts are in place. Scraping off the finish where parts must be glued on is delicate work but necessary to assure a secure glue joint.

The most time consuming part was locating the right drill bits and making sure the key chest is aligned properly. Sharing the shop with two guys and several orders seems to give the smaller tools legs! I picked up my key chest lid from my brother at Intri-Cut Etchings and was astounded at the way he captured my sketchy idea to continue the monarch theme.

The wheel and shaft are in place and soon she will be humming a tune. Oh yes, I did break my commitment to “do it myself”. Mel was so patient with my questions, I let him drill the holes for the chest attachment. He did a good job and then handed over the drill so I could screw it together.

I'm Back

I'm sure you all wonder where I've gone. "Maybe she is one of those for whom Gurdy building is just a fleeting infatuation? Hardly! Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I will use pictures to tell you how my gurdy building is coming. In the last few weeks we have sold a kit, a Symphony, and a Monarch built. Well this means tweeking and printing the builders manual. My apologies for the areas in the manual already out there. As I use my copy I am discovering spelling errors and word choice inconsistencies which need fixing.

Three HG bags/cases to sew, more mugs to order, and the kit to pack while bugging my husband for the parts while he is chasing his own list! It's been quite an adventure. To Michael, I am going to wait to install the tangents until farther along. In fact until the very last minute, somewhere around page 12 in part 3 of the builders manual. they just seem to get in the way before then. Well here is a picture summary of my days and I will attempt to be more faithful in my blogging in the future.