UGears Hurdy-Gurdy - Assembly and Demonstration

I'll admit, I felt a little like Stradivari as I built this amazing model kit. The level of detail in these laser-cut wooden pieces is surprising, and the fact that it all goes together perfectly, without glue, is truly satisfying. After about five hours, I had a fully functioning hurdy-gurdy that I could play, albeit not very well. Playing this rustic medieval instrument evokes the sound of wandering minstrels in an ancient land. That is, if those wandering minstrels were, in fact, a pair of feral cats in heat.
ugearsmodels.c...

[@rpondyke2121]

The engineering that went into this thing is amazing. Getting proper fits for sliding parts, and clearances for gears from laser cut wood couldn’t have been an easy task. Clever shaft design also. Great engineering!

[@plagued_inferno6059]

The whole time I was thinking, "There's no way this thing actually plays."

[@potassiumnitrate5817]

It does sound like a steam of hot vinegar going down your eardrums, but it's playable and works extremely well if you want to argue with your noisy neighbour.

[@robertoguillenvela7392]

And you were right

[@amishrobots]

I came here to say this.

[@arronsmith4958]

I was wondering why the music being played during the build wasn't a Hurdy Gurdy...

[@kattrablake7008]

What do you call what it's doing playing

[@ColRAPR]

What's everybody complaining about ?? For the price,go spend ,$1599 or $2,000 if you want a concert machine !! It is a great experience to make one !

[@Zarvain]

I agree, yeah it isn't the best sound, by far, but it was MADE OUT OF CARDBOARD and still functioned as a musical instrument! I kind of want to get one and use the parts as a template to cut out wooden pieces and see how that sounds now...

[@JeffWilliams]

Zarvain It's already made of a nice plywood, not cardboard.

[@johnoneill8842]

@@Zarvain different woods produce different sounds. I wouldnt know what the best wood to use would be. I'd think something lite weight tjat would resonate well.

[@jedh3721]

@@johnoneill8842 The biggest difference is that the stgrings on this one are cheap plastic strings. proper metal striongs would sound better, but I am guessing that they would require too much tension for this particular design to support.as a real hurdy gurdy is made much more like a violin, it can support the strain metal strings would need to sound right. But the point still stands, this is only $100, whereas a real one starts at just under $800 and a good quality one is over $1000. They are not easy to make.

[@soaringsky4416]

@@jedh3721 OH! There's a person here on youtube that makes them to sell. Their youtube account is Fairygurdies. I heard that they sell hurdy gurdies starting at couple hundred on Facebook under the same account name.

[@justjoe942]

It didn't sound as bad as you all made it out to be; actually better than I expected for a craft kit.

[@scw55]

think if you used a viola string it might sound better?

[@eleeyah4757]

@@scw55 I wonder if it can bear the load. Kinda doubt it, tbh.

[@scw55]

@@eleeyah4757 I've decided to not consider the kit since I've found the finish object sounds harsh to me, from all those videos. It's a fascinating object, but not a good instrument.

[@yusifalbarasi7097]

This is exactly the kind of stuff that makes me make bad financial decisions.

[@GC-rf2st]

Don’t think of it as a Bad financial decision, just not necessarily a good one, just think of all the pleasure you’d get from assembling it

[@victorgaladimawa6399]

@Big Worm 😂

[@mikeries8549]

I could see me spending all my spare time during duck season at the club assembling the device. I'd pronounce , "tuh duh"..."its done". I'd play it once and then the guys would take turns shooting it to make sure that Ries's musical instrument fom hell is dead. Then one more time to make certain.

[@lisaschuster9187]

Mike Ries, I just built the tractor and was thinking how beautifully it would go up in flames. :)

[@dianebrady6784]

Like your the only one... Lol... I'm a single mom veteran.....I have no business even dreaming of owning one.

[@BentSpoon1959]

I had to do some 'in situ' bow wheel scraping and sanding to make it absolutely round. It was a fun build and I stained and painted it a dark walnut with gold accents. Looks great for display but the sound is what you'd expect. Kudos to UGear for a great and reasonably easy-to-build kit.

[@wendyclark4574]

I literally just watched a clip on how these darn things work! They say wrapping the string, where it contacts the wheel, with a bit of cotton material is supposed to make the sound more 'desirable'. Anyway, loved this video. Great fun watching you assemble it. Had to exclaim and point when I realized they even give you the material to make the hammer required for the project. Pure dead brilliant!

[@roborb1960]

Like, I have literally replied to this comment.

[@wendyclark4574]

@@roborb1960 Like, excuse me for responding. Jeez.

[@stephenphillips9392]

I very much enjoyed putting this together. No stress just relaxing.

[@Rina_Redfield]

Reading the comments, I expected it to sound much worse than it did. I'm impressed - there's no cotton on the bow or the strings, and they're made of what, fishing line?? It sounds a lot better than I expected. Of course, i bet it's hard to keep in tune. Can it support more than two strings? It looks like it doesn't have quite enough keys to play most melodies I'd be interested in, which is not surprising for an instrument you build yourself. It's absolutely beautiful. I'm entranced by the gears.

[@copperboltwire320]

I'd get it just to have it on display, it's absolutely GORGEOUS!

[@HotelPapa100]

The gears serve absolutely no purpose, except to prove "cause we can!' A typical cause of "If the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail." It's probably A Good Thing (TM) that Gurdies are usually built by luthiers. This thing is a nice mantelpiece curiosity, but not much beyond that.

[@copperboltwire320]

@@HotelPapa100 That and it's plywood, lasercut plywood - not the best accustics to begin with. And the wheel that grinds the strings are plywood too... so there is limits to the quality of the sound. I'd still buy it when i get more money on my hands...

[@BentSpoon1959]

I had to do some 'in situ' bow wheel scraping and sanding to make it absolutely round. It was a fun build and I stained and painted it a dark walnut with gold accents. Looks great for display but the sound is what you'd expect. Kudos to UGear for a great and reasonably easy-to -build kit.

[@EddSjo]

@@HotelPapa100 The gearbox is probably there to reduce the cranking speed needed for such a small wheel.

[@jantruitt9241]

I don’t know about anyone else but I am impressed. It is a beautiful puzzle and I’m amazed that it actually works. Thank you for sharing!

[@xswooshx]

This was more satisfying to watch than it should be. I initially kept it on for the background music, but was enamored once I began to actually look at the video.

[@慕夏雨]

It looks like a piece of art, but the sound is not good.

[@adriancordovacordovarodrig2371]

It needs the cloth on the strings

[@tortuga4874]

To be fair, I didn’t expect it to work at all

[@dmsviola1]

@@adriancordovacordovarodrig2371 I've seen multiple people suggest this, but I dont know what it means. Do you mean wrapping the strings in a cotton cloth?

[@LordGingerBerry]

@@dmsviola1 I think they put a bit of cotton around the string where the wheel touches the string.

[@znuffyztruggles5744]

@@dmsviola1 to avoid hurting the string and to soften the sound, a long stranded type of cotton is wrapped around each string.

[@FakeRussianDude]

Compared to spending $2000+ for the real thing this looks and sounds amazing for the price. Just wish they could have fit in a few more keys, but for about $100, this is cool as hell. I've been wanting one that was affordable, and this can definitely satisfy my craving. Gonna probably pick one up soon. Such an amazing job to create something like this with nothing but laser cut wood and no glue that functions.

[@celestialceilagor3802]

hey just a heads up if you did end up getting one - id recommend disassembling it and getting some wood glue and a thin strip of wood measured to the circumference of the wheel and a saw if you have one - paint the exterior maybe, and re-assemble without the useless gears in the body (only gears necessary are the crank gear and the gear below that one.) because it is inefficient and makes it more difficult to crank, glue the thin piece of wood around the wheel, because it is laser cut the wood on the normal wheel is burnt and is not good for friction, and use that instead - use cotton where the strings meet the wheel to make the sound smoother it is also a good idea to rosin the wheel well with dark rosin since it is wood about 40 times around first and after that 7 times around after could be more or less but it is my estimate. Dont put the useless facings on and if you want you can saw off any ugly bits sticking out - glue everything together and make sure there are very few gaps in the body. This will make it sound wayy better - also good not to play it too carelessly since it is made for the strength of a child, and put something around the handle of the crank to make it more comfortable.

[@maheshshrestha9501]

Whoever designed this zig saw violin must be either insane or genius. I admire it's intricate details and wish to assemble one.

[@kimeromakinoha]

this is too amazing, the designer, the assembler..i cried watching this masterpiece being assembled and played..

[@kimeromakinoha]

@Our freedom is Gone i have experience in assembling a few of the UGears...first, they were really expensive and hard to find..second, the process needs us to be very delicate and careful or the wood would be chipped, break or worst..a part got lost.. ..i had a few broke when my sis tried to assemble it..that one is RIP..when a few part broken or lost, that's the end of it.. you can't finish assembling the whole thing..so watching this video got me teary..because this person made it until the end..

[@woxie4990]

What a wonderfully complex musical instrument; I had no idea! I now have an all new level of appreciation for it.

[@rickdaystar477]

The miracle is not putting it together but the brilliant designer who created it and carried out the production with a laser cutter.

[@lisaschuster9187]

I watched Mr. Puzzle build a simpler Ugear, and was glad to find out that his fingertips got really sore too, and that he used pliers too, and that he made mistakes and had to backtrack. I thought it took me weeks (at an hour a day) because I was just a “girl.” The tiny curved piece at 6:02 was the most difficult of all and I realized that if I sanded the connecting point it would slide right in! (I broke one, but they give you extras.) I have no idea why this silly thing was so much fun or why I love looking at it.

[@bobbyfrancis8957]

I'm a girl and I'm interested in the Ugears Roadster.

[@Handmemoretramadol]

I find being a girl helps as I have small hands I have built several gears things and never have a problem find the instructions very clear

[@lisaschuster9187]

jules Norman, I was wondering how men manage!!

[@smithy1578]

I’m a guy and it’s handy to have someone with little hands to grab a dropped item from a small space or to thread wires or just any small task

[@rociojurado9015]

No matter what anyone say , the joy in making one of these instruments ,have no price !!! If anyone have the time and money to edsanble one , just go for it ...the result is highly rewarding ...no money in the world can pay that ...

[@jamessimmons9379]

Nintendo's never going to stop pushing that Labo junk huh?

[@IceDudeLikesIce]

oi nintendo's labo is good but i admit this is better

[@kikiyoto]

Laby Gurdy

[@kaietz1460]

Hey Nintendo labo is s teir

[@terryclark7505]

My son just gave me this for birthday. I love it! Very well made.

[@brionfranks478]

I built it last year while recuperating from surgery. An excellent 3D puzzle and coffee table conversation piece but as far as being a musical instrument and the "sound" that it produced, it was something only a young child would like.

[@barbaraiverson2035]

The most important 3 pieces of this kit are the sand paper, part puncher and beeswax. I ended up using a finegrain nail tech cushion file too. But, for narrow joints, the paper was best. Wax every hole and joint. If you don't, it will come back to haunt you. Each time you add a gear, make sure you can rotate it easily. It took me a while to get all the gears to rotate smoothly. If you don't sand and rosin the wheel really good at the end, it will sound like a caterwall.

[@ukslim]

I haven't made this yet (the kit is sat on the shelf awaiting some free time). But for another UGears kit - a marble maze - beeswax just wasn't doing the trick. Instead I applied 3-in-1 oil, and it worked brilliantly.

[@barbaraiverson2035]

@@ukslim I have all 4 of the marble runs. The 1st was the one with the circular down spiral. It came with little connection pieces that were labelled as to which end went with with slide. I ended up gluing all the connections together. They changed the way the parts connect with the other kits. I finally found the last one on EBay and am waiting for that one. There was a video of someone who found a motor kit the right size of the cranks and wired all of the cranks to a central electronic gear. The kit is really cheap, but after having such a time with the components to a couple of the kits, I decided against mechinizing and connecting all 4.

[@ukslim]

@@barbaraiverson2035 I have the one with the down spiral. Although I waxed everything with a candle, the piston mechanism kept jamming. That's where the 3-in-1 oil solved everything. My hurdy-gurdy is about 1/4 done now, and what's there seems to turn smoothly.

[@AlunJones]

I was given one for Christmas. Haven't started building it yet, but I suspect that this video's going to come in useful. Thanks!

[@howardmckenna]

Sand the wheel so its smooth and wax the edges that touch strings with rosin. Where the wheel touches the strings, wrap them with cotton for a smoother sound.

[@sukabyar4513]

WOW!So amazing wooden musical instrument.

[@alanbrookes8716]

Whoever created that kit is a genius. It's so complex. It's unfortunate that the finished product is so small that there's no bass, and it has so few keys that there is little to play on it. A larger design with more strings and more keys would have been so much better.

[@The_SoMBRaS]

I LOVE IT!!! .. It's not about the destination .. It's about the Journey!!

[@chacalerrante9731]

Pure true

[@KimTran-vb1ci]

Amazing design and such a beautiful instrument. You did a fantastic job putting it together!

[@allufolie3411]

Те що ви робите це Диво ! Хай у Вас руки ніколи Не болять ! І Ніколи не кінчається чудові Ідеї ! Творчого і бізнес Успіху Вам в усьому світі !

[@brianthompson5672]

I can't believe Patty Gurdy hasn't commented on this yet! This looks like a really fun project.

[@sitiusz5809]

Assembling it yes, but hearing it not quite

[@pjeaton58]

Me thinks she has better things to do !

[@donaldheller2399]

She doesnt have time for BS.

[@moniqueodile]

I am getting one for Christmas from AliExpress, I did the clock and the vita scope and had great fun! I also want the train! I recommend it to anybody who enjoys model making etc.... the explanations are good and easy to follow, and the laser cut is perfect......

[@maple1255]

Outstanding job of assembling, it really is a beautiful and well thought out design.

[@rafiqkatana]

Jesus! I nearly dropped my drink when that music kicked in Hard and Loud.

[@PanthereaLeonis]

Wow! It comes with a flat-packed fitting hammer? Amazing.

[@awkwarddude]

😳😳incredible craftsmanship for such a relatively simple assembly procedure. And and a surprising sound from the simple mechanisms! Well done!

[@barrywebber100]

What a great kit. Very interesting and entertaining, thanks for posting and best wishes.

[@cobblerama]

Invented sometime before the tenth century? Wow. Somedays I have problems just making my damn breakfast.

[@TEDavis]

That sounds so purdy! That precut, 'sturdy' Hurdy Gurdy.

[@TEDavis]

@Jeremiah Bullfrog LOL!!

[@TEDavis]

@Johan Rodrigues LOL!!!

[@billhillyer334]

thanks you have cured my curiosity wasn't quite sure you were going to play it but you did an for that kudos to you sir...

[@JamesDavidWalley]

"Some assembly required." 😄

[@sherryhoskins8771]

No batteries required

[@destinyrae69]

Ive taken it apart too many times to fix my mistakes 🤣

[@jamesdenson4730]

Ugears models are all very cool and provide a wonderful education. I am going to get this one!

[@ronaldrose6885]

Sounds like bag pipes and stringed instruments . I like it. Thanks for the tutorial!!! I'm the worst ,Scottish and Irish!

[@2degucitas]

Missed a perfect opportunity to have Donovan's "Hurdy Gurdy Man" as background music.

[@Bartyron]

Or 'Der Leiermann' by Schubert.

[@richardschnell4842]

@@Bartyron Or Hurdy Gurdy music, hmmmm?

[@dannymonk9485]

Beat me to it!

[@nostalgiakarlk.f.7386]

Well, Vivaldi's Lute Concerto in D Major isn't a bad choice.

[@roborb1960]

Or Hurdy Gurdy Mushroom man , by Neil.

[@PonyCraft]

I have a massive need, I adore strange instruments

[@nixboaski]

This is really awesome. That's a very nice way of understanding how this amazing instrument works. The sound of it isn't that bad, it's what I'd expect from a build-your-own instrument. That drone sound is very nice, though.

[@larrycroft6819]

could you imagine getting done and see some parts laying off to the side! Great video , job well done.

[@marcwanner5623]

Or having a part go missing, or break.

[@jo2lovid]

Less painful than a lego piece if you walked on it in the dark.

[@tersta1]

Brilliant video! I just finished watching a Hurdy-Gurdy performance and naturally wondered how they are constructed. Thanks for answering my question. I'm glad to see that people are bringing history forward. There are a number of ancient and medieval instruments that didn't make it into modern times.

[@mrf.7528]

This. Is. Not. How. A. Hurdy gurdy. Is. CONSTRUCTED.

[@jeffbeck6501]

The dedication got my thumbs up.

[@ericthompson3982]

This. I need this in my life.

[@flamingomtn]

I'm amazed by this kit and the fact that it plays. Someone posted a picture of this on my Facebook page and I've been down the rabbit hole of Hurdy Gurdy's ever since. I didn't get this one but did get a plan off of Thingiverse to make on my own laser cutter. Fascinating instruments and I love their history. Maybe someday, I'll add one of these to my collection. Thanks for the video.

[@arilibove-goldfarb4717]

Can you link the plans you found?

[@flamingomtn]

@@arilibove-goldfarb4717 I'm so sorry. I just saw this comment. www.thingiverse.com/thing:3575109

[@flamingomtn]

@@arilibove-goldfarb4717 There's also a big community on Facebook...same name...Nerdy Gurdy.

[@kantucknadienata-akon1124]

Astonishing. I was unaware that this instrument was so complex. An amazing achievement of the medieval crafters! I wish Lego would make such, though it's Technics line! (giggles)

[@johnmorris5963]

THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS!! I was looking for actual audio of the put together instrument and it sounds like i thought it would.

[@SqueezeboxOfDelights]

I just got this for christmas, it does sound a bit squeaky but it is so well made and looks gorgeous. I also attached a strap from a concertina case which made it a lot easier to play. I also meant to do a build video but was impatient to start putting it together...

[@theresalynn6520]

Oh my goodness! That was absolutely amazing. What a beautiful instrument. The sound is absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing your wonderful work. 💗💗👏👏👏💗💗

[@jo2lovid]

Beautiful sound? Have you had your hearing checked recently? That might be tinnitus you are hearing

[@mikaelabowen5781]

What an exquisite piece of work!

[@chacalerrante9731]

Como articulo de decoracion es increible, pero si ademas realmente funciona es soberbio¡¡ encantado de ver el video hasta el final 👌

[@jarroplumaluz8274]

Si men quiero uno ahhh

[@MrSidney52]

This sounds like bagpipes by people with asthma. Definitely different.

[@Zarkovision]

Asthma does not affect your ears!

[@rainblaze.]

I thought it sounded like asthma for people with diarrhea

[@lindak8664]

Is Ode to Joy the first piece of music we play on every instrument we learn? That kit was a work of art. The gears are too noisy, and it doesn’t produce that nice resonating sound like a ‘real’ one, but i’d put one on my shelf in a flash!

[@stevefick3919]

You really ARE the Hurdy Gurdy Man! Very cool! I gotta get me one of these kits!

[@teedub127]

Thank you, this video made the purchase of this Hurdy Gurdy a no brainer...

[@jazzcatt]

That thing is too frikkin' cool for words!

[@jefffawver3389]

Absolutely Beautiful Work Thank you for sharing.

[@truusvananraad2537]

Wat een prestatie aller eerst diegene voor het ontwerp dan tekenen daarna op hout aan brengen zagen daarna stukje bij beetje weer opbouwen en dan komt er ook nog muziek uit geweldig .ik kijk uit naar het volgende project.

[@Rocketman88002]

So cool! Very nice looking instrument complete with moving parts. Great job, beautiful creation and it sounds good!

[@wendylord1284]

Wonderful, answered many questions about these wonderful Laser Cut Kits!

[@XKLIX]

I just buildt this thing 2 days ago.. Its an amazing building kit and i recomend it 100% The craftmandship of this thing is mindblowing :D

[@tommyjackson6216]

Great build love working with wood great satisfaction hearing it lots of parts took some time to build

[@draven3838]

I'm amazed it works

[@Eduardo-uo7qs]

Amazing. In fact a masterpiece. Congratulations. From Rio Brazil.

[@valoriel4464]

Great vid! Really enjoyed your music selection too. Thx

[@theralhaljordan7337]

$70?? I expected this to be much more, definitely getting myself one for christmas xD. Would be cool for jamming 'round the campfire too xD

[@bazzfromthebackground3696]

Gtfo, its a pop-up Hurdy? That's dope.

[@tlrc505]

Das macht richtig Laune die Teile zusammenzubauen.

[@emitindustries8304]

Thanks for the great video. And the playing is passable. "Feral cats"!!!

[@knottreel]

It looks like something that could create a time warp.

[@grahampalmer9337]

Hmm. Certainly a 'Joy' to behold. - But not so much an (Ode To) Joy to hear ;-D

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

That's a very sturdy nerdy hurdy gurdy

[@jonnyrox116]

Utterly fascinating, I'll take one of those kits!

[@coolminer1231]

The sound is so old fashioned but it looks so steampunk

[@grahampalmer9337]

Yep. Vivaldi: Concerto (for Mandolin?) in D Major. 1st movement

[@JeffWilliams]

Right you are! I used all three movements of the Vivaldi Concerto for Lute in D, played on guitar.

[@orcokiwo6703]

Thanks 👍👍

[@markachuff6497]

Vivaldi Concerto for Lute in D Major RV 93 - probably played by guitarist John Williams at the Seville Concert.

[@jamieschweinsberg2544]

Thank you for posting this is the next ugear project I will be working on and this will be very helpful just finished the disney castle by ugear I am hooked 😁

[@rickrmela]

Mu sic choice is Amazing!! The kit is really cool too.

[@daanbos5918]

Note: ugears is not responsible for any potential ear damage in inability to play the instrument and will not provide lessons on how to play the instrument

[@Moshitachi]

Thanks for the demo. I'm making mine now!

[@alejandrotkaczevski4941]

Sounds better than I expected

[@LC-ue6mp]

I just came to read the video description. It's nice. High five, great success.

[@tohpingtiang4878]

Breaking it 5 mins into unboxing. Priceless!

[@AccountInactive]

Goodness, you have to cotton the strings to get rid of the cat death knell 🤣😭

[@OSN999]

And that's when the Hurdy Gurdy Man came singing songs of love.

[@RVLifeNOW]

Now I know what a Hurdy Gurdy Man is. After all these decades...

[@roelofpaas334]

Very BEAUTIFUL INGENOUSLY made...thumbs up!!!.

[@bsharporbflat8378]

The building looked fun....but the sound was like pouring vinegar in my ears

[@zeck5555]

Yes AHAHAHAHAH

[@gerardhaubert8210]

Never tried that,is it fun...?

[@ralfdanberg5146]

that are fishing strings..... i think there is no problem to use musical strings.... may sound better....

[@nalzeck]

Not the right type of strings so yeah. It's like comparing a real ukelele to one that uses plastic strings

[@LololoriShow]

Cat gut strings..😿

[@carloscayetano2980]

Instrumento muy extraño, mucha paciencia y dedicación para su ensamble. Felicitaciones, desde Puebla, México.

[@andrewnathaniel4123]

Ini adalah art and craft bisa membuat herdy gurdy wow is a magic..

[@nuggetmonster9956]

Its fancy like the style of the instrument

[@MegaGuitarpicker]

Wow, an engineering nightmare! Good job!

[@farleyfox1840]

Fantastic model. It doesn't sound much worse than an actual antique original.

[@wandadumas5810]

Saludos desde Puerto Rico. Que bueno que me tropecé con este video. Me encanto. Se lo voy a mostrar a mis estudiantes.

[@djformalin]

IKEA instrument...... clever done. Thx for uploading 🎼

[@indridcold8433]

It looks like something Baron Munchausen would play in a most delightful of ways.

[@leftymadrid]

That was actually pretty awesome!!!