The hurdy-gurdy

The hurdy-gurdy is a stringed instrument that produces a sound similar to the sound of a pocket pipe. With the hand you turn a wheel that rubs against the strings, similar to the action of a bow on a violin.

The history of this instrument begins in the 15th century. One of the first forms of the hurdy-gurdy was the organistrum (a portable organ) in medieval Europe.

After some changes, it became a common musical instrument among traveling musicians in England. The hurdy-gurdy went through its Renaissance period in the 17th and 18th centuries as a noble and classical instrument for the entertainment of the rich and noble.

The instruments were richly decorated by craftsmen with inlays (marquetry) and carvings. Then the mechanical part of the hurdy-gurdy was also placed in beautiful guitar or lute bodies.
Some call hurdy-gurdy music the “Rock’n’Roll of the Middle Ages,” this we thought was very cool. As a result, we decided to make the UGears version of a hurdy-gurdy.