Hurdy-Gurdy

Hurdy-Gurdy 

Inspired by the craftsmanship of Celtic and Scandinavian medieval artisans, reimagined through intelligent 21st-century engineering, Ugears is proud to introduce the Hurdy-Gurdy—the world's first (as far as we know!) mechanical self-assembly model that is also a fully functional musical instrument. The hurdy-gurdy is a string instrument that produces sound through a hand-turned wheel rubbing against the strings, similar to how a violin bow works. Its origins trace back to 15th-century medieval Europe, where it evolved from the organistrum (a portable organ). Over time, the instrument gained popularity among traveling musicians in England, later becoming a symbol of nobility in the 17th and 18th centuries, often featuring intricate carvings and decorative inlays.

The Ugears Hurdy-Gurdy has two strings: melody string – plays the tune when pressing the keys; bourdon (drone) string – produces a constant, sustained sound, adding depth to the melody. The six keys correspond to six notes, and a seventh note can be played by fully releasing the keys. The bourdon string can be tuned in unison with the melody string or adjusted to play an interval (fourth, fifth, or octave). To play, simply crank the handle with one hand to produce the drone sound, while the other hand presses the wooden keys to change the pitch of the melody string.

Hurdy-Gurdy features:

• Fully functional musical instrument
• Two strings: melody and bourdon
• Six keys with rubber bands and small cranks 
• Adjustable string height for fine-tuning the sound
• Authentic medieval-inspired design
• Includes: body, front and back decks, gears, crank, wheel, neck, tuning pegs, and more 

DIY wooden musical instrument features:

• Includes sheet music (tablatures)
• Pre-laser-cut wooden parts 
• Assembles without glue or tools
• Step-by-step instructions in 11 languages
• Free spare parts upon request