Help: Hurdy Gurdy Pick-ups?

Subject: Help: Hurdy Gurdy Pick-ups?
From: Mr Red
Date: 28 Apr 02 - 08:47 PM

A friend was asking the best pick-up &/or mic configuration. He is considering three pick-ups on the bridges and an internal mic.
But what sort of mic and how to get it inside and where to place it.
The feed to the mixing desk will be some combination of several sources to attempt to make it sound as near to the original acoustic tone.
Anyone with experience that I can relay to him?

AND before someone asks what is the difference beteen a Hurdy Gurdy & a Buzz saw I'll tell it myself - "vibrato".

Subject: RE: Help: Hurdy Gurdy Pick-ups?
From: GUEST,jonesey
Date: 28 Apr 02 - 09:15 PM

The Stewart-MacDonald Catalog on page 58 has an internal mic. It's made by GHS and is called a 'Mini-Flex Guitar Mic System. It retails(out of the Stew-Mac)for 99.50/US. The part # is 3382. It's got a special cable(# 3388) for 29.00/US. Here's what the copy says:

"'Mini-Flex' is a miniture low-impedence mic mounted on a flexible gooseneck, with an integral 1/4" endpin jack. This design suspends the mic inside the guitar without contacting the soundboard or altering the instruments acoustics. The mic can then be positioned for best sound. Instructions and battery included. Cable must be ordered separately."

This is what I am going to purchase for my autoharp as I don't want to use a piezo or a magnetic. It would probably adapt easily for a hurdy-gurdy. There's no doubt, you'll have to eq the daylights out of it ahead of the system, but I'll bet it'll sound very natural. Stew-Mac has a website: www.stewmac.com You can order online or use the '800' number. Good luck!

Subject: RE: Help: Hurdy Gurdy Pick-ups?
From: English Jon
Date: 29 Apr 02 - 04:57 AM

I've got an accusound fitted to my HG. It's a little plastic strip that is stuck to the middle of the soundboard on the right hand side of the bridge. I had this fitted when the machine was built, so all the wiring is internal and the Jack lead goes into the left hand strap button.

Sounds pretty good. Otherwise, use a cardiod mic.

Cheers,

Jon

Subject: RE: Help: Hurdy Gurdy Pick-ups?
From: Hrothgar
Date: 29 Apr 02 - 07:39 AM

Use a mechanical grab.

Subject: RE: Help: Hurdy Gurdy Pick-ups?
From: treewind
Date: 29 Apr 02 - 07:52 AM

Microvox are worth a try. They make mics that attach to instruments using velcro so they don't pick up body vibration. (also so you can remove them easily, which may or may not be a concern for you).

Though HG's are mot specifically mentioned on the Microvox site, it is well worth dropping Alan an email and asking him. He's always very willing to help.

Whatever happens, you will need to experiment with placement. HGs are all different and there can be no simple rule.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Help: Hurdy Gurdy Pick-ups?
From: Mr Red
Date: 29 Apr 02 - 09:53 AM

Hrothgar
tut tut... but
LOL

Subject: RE: Help: Hurdy Gurdy Pick-ups?
From: GUEST,Mr Red guesting
Date: 30 Apr 02 - 07:33 AM

Well thanks folks, it looks as if we have enough to pass on. If you get to see the Horsley band (ceilidh) you might see the results. He also plays for the Stroud French Dance night - which is really a workshop cum dance. Last Sunday re-starting in Sept ish @ the Space Landsdown Rd.
its a bit of Bouree'd treasure?

Subject: RE: Help: Hurdy Gurdy Pick-ups?
From: Ned Ludd
Date: 30 Apr 02 - 04:18 PM

Go the whole hog! Neil Brook (who made my wonderful 'gurdy) has done an electric one.Imagine that with a wah pedal! Neil w Brook http://freespace.virgin.net/hurdy.gurdy