My Fascination hurdy-gurdy

The complexity.
The creativity.
The courage to try something new.
A small string quartet united in one instrument.

In 2018 I had my first contact with this instrument. Even if only by hearing and seeing.

Excited by the unusual function and complexity, I quickly began to understand and think through my own approaches. Without any experience in instrument making, I threw myself into it and less than two months later I had completed my first box hurdy gurdy. A failed attempt, but richer in experience.
The joy of designing, building and optimizing drove me further and that's how I ultimately ended up where I am today.

In 2023 I was already able to look back on fantastic feedback from musicians like Matthias Loibner, Ruben Monteiro or Sérgio Gonzales.

No. 1

Shortly after I finished the box hurdy gurdy I started creating a design for my ALTO.
So you could say No. 2 is the cornerstone of my personal success model.

In 2019 I finished No. 2. This hurdy gurdy also failed to satisfy my expectations.
However, I quickly started looking for feedback. So I promptly came into contact with various players and builders.

No. 2

In 2020, No. 3 sounded for the first time. This model already had the completely floating tangent box, which is not just a pure design decision.
There was also another typical element. The “exploded F-holes” I designed.
Noticeably still in the hobby range but already a surprisingly good sound!

No. 3

Up to this point I had never had a hurdy-gurdy in my hand other than mine.
Consiquently, I taught myself how to play.

Early 2021: No. 4.
Cocky and keen to experiment, I continued to lean out of the window and tried new ideas. Unfortunately, not very successfully.

No. 4

End 2021
I couldn't let the disappointment from the predecessor rest on me.
So I build No. 5.
One step back, two steps forward. Much of the predecessor was thrown overboard and installed in the same way as No. 3 had it. Of course, I couldn't stop experimenting completely. So I played around with the trumpet bridge and developed a bridge that combined string rest, string pressure and response.
Furthermore, the first precursor to my dynamic wheel bearing was also born. Even if only in a much simpler and rougher way.

No. 5

Early 2022
Knowing what works and what doesn't, I started creating the 6th.
The design of the ALTO is already almost completely visible and so I wanted to concentrate more on the sound.
A lot has changed. But only where you couldn't see it at first glance: in the body.
Ideas from the predecessor were further developed, others were discarded.

No. 6

End 2022: No. 7
The ALTO ideas from the predecessor were refined and optimized. I decided again to install a classic trumpet bridge because my idea of ​​the compact trumpet bridge was not yet sophisticated enough and the players prefer the familiar approach.
In addition, No. 7 has a screwed base, to get into the body more easily because I tried a lot with the bracing until my typical sound was born.

No. 7