The 'Madeline'
$1,095.00

$400.00 Materials Deposit Due at Ordering
$695.00 + Shipping Due on Completion of Instrument
"The Madeline arrived today, sound and safe (seems only right to put it that way for a musical instrument!)  Naturally, it's love at first sight (and first sound).  Precisely what I was hoping for. Bravo!  Many, many thanks especially for all your patient attention to my many questions and special requests.  Thanks also for your affordability, promptness, and kindness."  
Delightedly, Zzoe R., Saugerties, New York
This box shaped model is patterned after the early medieval hurdy gurdies that were popular from 1,000 a.d. - 1,300 a.d.  It has a quieter more subtle voice, which lends nicely to medieval music or vocal accompaniment.  We revamped the old medieval design with modern enhancements (metal tangents, drone capos, and more), and turned it into the most complete hurdy gurdy package at it's price point.   To customize your instrument, click on OPTIONS (in the navigation menu)  
FEATURES
  • 4 strings–  2 melody strings, 2 drone strings
  •  Fully Chromatic!
  •  Trompette / chien /the 'dog'  (buzzing bridge)
  •  Your choice of decorative soundhole Rosettes 
  •  Gut strings standard
  •  Geared tuners
  •  All hardwood construction for best possible tone. 
  •  Fully adjustable tangents
  •  NEW!  Now includes fully adjustable bridges (what is this? Click for details...)
  •  Hinged lid for easy access to wheel & tangents
  •  NEW!  Now includes metal tangents
  •  Removeable Handle
  •  NEW!  Now includes soft case!
  •  NEW!  Now includes 2 drone capos, 1 for each drone!
QUESTION:    Why is this model so much less than your others? Why the price difference?
 
ANSWER: The box shape takes less time for us to build, hence the savings.   While this box shape is authentic to medieval era hurdy gurdies,  it's also not as loud as our other instruments, having a softer voice (after all, it's enclosed in a box!).  One important note:  because of the differing way the mechanics are put together (due to box shape)  options such as additional strings or sympathetic strings are not available for this model.