If you want to get either a nyckelharpa or a hurdy-gurdy, get a good one from a reputable maker. I've spent a lot of time around both types of instruments for many years, and poorly built instruments not only sound bad, but they often don't actually work.

The last time someone I know bought a nyckelharpa it was about $1000 for a basic but functional instrument, including freight to the US. A very basic good hurdy-gurdy will be half again that much at least.

I'm currently playing Swedish music in Seattle in a band called Mad Fiddlu with a couple of very good nyckelharpa players: Bart Brashers and Anna Abraham. Bart also plays the kontrabassharpa. The only thing better than the sound of a nyckelharpa is two of them in harmony . . .

It's interesting, when I'm not playing with NHs or HGs, my cittern gets lots of attention and I get lots of questions about it. When I'm on with the truly oddball instruments, I usually get ignored.

John