The 'Aisling'
$3,895.00

$700.00 Materials Deposit Due at Ordering
$3,195.00 + Shipping Due on Completion of Instrument
"I picked up my new alto / tenor Hurdy Gurdy near the redwoods this past weekend, and am so in love with this glorious instrument, such an upgrade! Many thanks to George Leverett for the amazing craftsmanship put into this magical music box.  I got to play it for the first time in a cave in the heart of a burned out ancient redwood tree and feel the resonance of the wood and earth so deeply. Such bliss <3.  Thank you once again for the amazing Hurdy Gurdy"   

​Emilio Lopez, Eugene OR
Exquisite stylings, tons of resources for the player, lighter weight, and custom designed for an Alto / tenor tuning for a deep rich sound!   

The 'Aisling ' goes way beyond a traditional hurdy gurdy-it's a truly modern electric/acoustic instrument with every possible option & feature included as standard.   

Incredibly dynamic, sweet, resonant, and it plays like a dream!  The soundboard bracing & construction of the staved back are all designed & tuned to enhance the sonic warmth of the instrument ; built around a sleek body with slightly longer scale length and string set pitched in the Alto / Tenor range.   Great sound, beautifully crafted,  designed to be a wonderful musical companion.  Equally at home on the stage, in the studio, or jamming with friends!

 FEATURES
  • Alto Tuning! (Lower pitched)
  • 16 strings standard:
    3 chanterelles / melody strings, with a melody capo which raises them by a whole step 
    -g4
    -g3
    -c3               

    2 trompettes (a.k.a. the 'dog'/the 'chien') - 
    -'c' trompette (c4 / middle c) with 2 capos, allowing additional notes of d & e
    -'g' trompette (g3) with a capo, letting you switch it to 'a'

    3 low drones -
    -g2 , with a capo, enabling you to go up a step to a2 
    -e3 ,  with a capo, enabling you to go up a step to f3 
    -c2,  with a capo, enabling you to go up a step to d2 

    8 Sympathetic Strings
    (click here for more info on HG tuning)

    NOTE:  each string can be turned on/off independently of each other, so you have great flexibility with registers & key signatures
  • Staved  / Rounded back for maximum playing comfort & light weight
  • Full set of 6 Drone Capos
    (what is this? Click for more detailed info)
  • Capo for the melody strings-  Our own innovation which allows you to raise pitch of all melody strings by a full step without retuning.
  •  Adjustable bridges  (what is this? Click for details...)
  •  Fully  chromatic keychest
  •  Fully adjustable metal tangents and Marshall plate  (click for more info)
  •  Sitka Spruce soundboard, select hardwood body
  •  Remote on / off switches standard feature (click for more info)
  •  Strap Locks
  • Electronics package - Our 'passive' electronics package, just plug in and go!  It's also a fully functioning acoustic instrument as well!
  • Choose your stylings: natural wood color, or one of our color treatment options.  (color treatments can be viewed at this part of our website )
Q&A:
​Question: How is this different than the 'Aisling CG' 

Answer:  
The 'Aisling' uses a passive pickup as part of the standard package, has a different look, and doesn't include a fretboard.  

Question:  How is this different than the 'Full Monty' 

Answer:  Three reasons 
-# of melody strings: Aside from the different body shape the Aisling / Aisling CG comes with 3 chanterelles (melody strings) instead of four.    Keep in mind that when pressing a button, each melody string engages all the tangents, regardless of whether or not that string is turned on/off . More strings = more resistance on each button when you press it.  This 3 string configuration hits the 'sweet spot' for optimizing sonic range, but with less resistance when pressing the buttons.   We can add a 4th melody string (like the 'Full Monty'), which adds $300.00 to the price
-Fretboard under the low drones:  Is not included as part of the stock model for the 'Aisling'.   If you would like this, it adds $200.00 to the price
-Different electronics package:  This model includes a passive pickup system as part of the standard package.   The 'Full Monty' has an active pickup system standard.  If you prefer the active pickup instead, it adds $200.00 to the purchase price