Not on my usual machine, hence "Guest".

Yes. They are bastards.

Buy an Eaton, if you're in the U.K. Otherwise go to St. Chartier in France for the festival. Consider Boudet, Thonon etc.

Don't bother with a cheap one. If you can take someone who can play along with you, that will help a lot. There are a few bargains to be had, but realistically, expect to pay £2000 + Buy the best one you can afford. There is no point whatever in getting a crap one. They don't work.

My Warrington 'gurdy was £1600 and is aboput the best deal I've seen in the U.K. but I was lucky.

Once you've got the damn thing, making a tune is easy, playing the Dog is not. It will take you a year of hard graft to get anything vaguely rhythmic out of it. Get the Musket hurdy-gurdy book and practice a lot and you may get somewhere. Better still, try and play with as many other people as possible.

Cotton wool. Nigel Eaton recommends "Macdonald's Snow drops". I've never seen this brand. Basically you want long fillaments. Use it sparingly on Chanters, Mouche and Trompettes, apply a small amount evenly across the string where it touches the wheel. You will need more wool on the Bourdons. Correct ammount of cotton is more critical than rosin, but both are important.

They are complete bastards.

Enjoy,

English Jon