Broken guitar - hurdy gurdy project

Subject: RE: Broken guitar - hurdy gurdy project
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 02 Mar 10 - 11:55 AM

Some guitars get very big. Before you put a lot of time into a recycled body, consider how you will hold onto it.

Keep in mind that you have to keep the HG on your lap and at an angle, so that gravity can return the keys to resting position. This means that the body will be resting on one sharp edge. If the guitar is big and you are not, it will hard to keep in position. A waist strap might be the answer, might not.

This may explain why HG's have round backs - they snuggle better into the angle between chest and legs.

Subject: RE: Broken guitar - hurdy gurdy project
From: Flashmeister
Date: 02 Mar 10 - 08:56 AM

Thanks for that lead Liz - much appreciated.
I have a small jar with a blob of jam in it set up to capture some wasps for the 'drones' but alas to no avail!!

Subject: RE: Broken guitar - hurdy gurdy project
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 02 Mar 10 - 03:24 AM

PM Ned Ludd here - he was once a luthier by trade and still has a few bits lurking around.. He's also a damn fine bloke and excellent player. He can also tell you where to get a supply of the trained wasps you'll need. :D

LTS

Subject: RE: Broken guitar - hurdy gurdy project
From: Flashmeister
Date: 01 Mar 10 - 07:06 AM

Thank you all for your advice, much appreciated!
I have been to Dennis Havlena's site and it has proved very interesting indeed.
Many years ago my partner made a hurdy gurdy from a broken guitar and it did work - sadly the instrument became lost in the mists of time and the urge for the droning strains of the HG has resurfaced of late hence the post.

'a completely cattle trucked 12-string with an action a foot high, intonation about a semitone off, and a coarse sound'

Why Mr.Bridge that sounds like an HG already!!! :-)
We're in Bedfordshire in answer to your question.

I do know a luthier so will definately have a little shmooze over there to see if he has any terminals knocking about but for the moment the quest continues!
The $20 HG looks interesting - might be an idea to see how that little project goes first as a trial before embarking upon the full bodied one.

Subject: RE: Broken guitar - hurdy gurdy project
From: open mike
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 04:51 PM

that dennis havlena is incredible--
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLhRtV1xKiM#GU5U2spHI_4

this may be what you are using as a guide
http://dennishavlena.com/hg-main.htm

Dennis has several other hurdy gurdy links on his page...
plus all sorts of other stuff..

Subject: RE: Broken guitar - hurdy gurdy project
From: Little Robyn
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 02:04 PM

Before you go wrecking a perfectly good guitar, have a look here at Dennis Havlena's site.
I found this through mudcat ages ago and intended to make myself a $20 hurdy gurdy but haven't had time yet.....
Robyn

Subject: RE: Broken guitar - hurdy gurdy project
From: Jack Campin
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 12:28 PM

Is a guitar body rigid enough for the job, once you've cut a slot for the wheel?

I'd have thought it was easier to start from scratch. Designs are easy enough to come by.

If you haven't built many instruments before you may find this a lot harder than you expect. (A friend of mine makes them, seldom the same design twice - the gestation period is usually months).

Subject: RE: Broken guitar - hurdy gurdy project
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 11:37 AM

Try phoning around the big UK instrument distributors
eg JHS.
They routinely need to dispose of 'importers reject'
and shop returns damaged guitars.
They may not sell a 'broke neck' guitar direct to the public,
but might link you
to one of the ebay sellers who buy pallet loads of B stock gear off them for spares or repairs.

Subject: RE: Broken guitar - hurdy gurdy project
From: DonMeixner
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 11:36 AM

I have made a very basic one from an old 1/2 sized cello body. Worked with great potential. Buy some plans from Musikits.

D

Subject: RE: Broken guitar - hurdy gurdy project
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 11:33 AM

Pal up to your local luthier. He probably sees dozens of guitars with heads or necks snapped off, or otherwise B E R with entire bodies.

Hey, wait a minute, I think I've got a completely cattle trucked 12-string with an action a foot high, intonation about a semitone off, and a coarse sound, somewhere at the back of the wardrobe. Where are you?

Subject: RE: Broken guitar - hurdy gurdy project
From: Mr Happy
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 11:14 AM

Try local market's 2nd hand stalls

Subject: Broken guitar - hurdy gurdy conversion project
From: Flashmeister
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 11:00 AM

Dear All,

I am undertaking a project to build a hurdy gurdy converted from a guitar body and am looking for some help/info.
I am unsure where one would acquire a broken guitar with main body intact as I am v reluctant to break up a functional one and everyone i know's guitars are all in one piece - is there anyone out there (UK) with a broken box going begging or indeed know a good source for one?
Also if anyone can assist or has any tips on the making of said hurdy gurdy or has experience in having made one themselves I'd be very interested to hear your stories.

Ash