Please contact us if you have more current information about makers or dealers, or if you have trouble contacting someone using the information you find here, or to add someone to the list. Also included here are the names and email addresses of some of the authors of books listed in the bibliography.
Sergio is an instructor and researcher who has written several articles. He can be found at his website
Paul Nevis gave this review:
"I had a guitar-shaped hurdy-gurdy built by Chris Allen. I am very pleased with the instrument and couldn't be happier with the amount of encouragement, support and 'after sales' service provided by Chris. His natural enthusiasm is infectious and his attitude of making the instrument 'you' want as opposed to what he wishes you to have is to be commended. Chris makes traditional hurdy-gurdies of different types and also lutes, mandolins and other related instruments. Reasonable prices by discussion."
I met Chris at St. Chartier in 1998. Regrettably Sabina was elsewhere, or I would have gotten to meet her as well. Chris came to Over the Water in 2004, and we concur with the "natural enthusiasm". ;-)
M. Bleton's innovative work is featured in a chapter of the book Territoires illimitée. Pierre Imbert, Didier Campion, and RT Taylor have vielles made by M. Bleton.
One of the most famous and prolific of the "facteurs de la vielle".
A well known and well respected maker. We played one of his gurdies at the 2000 OTW HG festival, thanks to Cliff Stapleton.
Leif Eriksson and Per Gudmundson brought the Swedish säckpipa/bagpipe back to function in the early 80's. Leif now builds both this Swedish bagpipe and lira/hurdy-gurdies. Stefan Brisland-Ferner of Garmarna and Hĺllbus Totte Mattson of Hedningarna both have reproductions of the Groda Lira built by him.[Per-Ulf Allmo]
"Helmut is probably the best maker of high quality hurdy-gurdies in Germany right now." [Klaus, February 1998]
M. Grandchamp is a restoration expert and museum curator who also builds some incredible vielles. We finally met him in person at St. Chartier 1999, he's a nice guy. He also makes beautiful and fanciful modern instruments.
Very nice vielles in the traditional French style.
Highly respected maker of French styles, and an excellent player.
M. Mousnier's vielles are shown in several photos in the book Territoires illimitée. Pascal LeFeuvre has at least one of Mousnier's instruments. We saw and played some on our trip to St. Chartier in 1998.
Supplier of plans and the Muskett book
Balázs makes and repairs Hungarian style hurdy-gurdies, French style instruments, and symphonies. Web page also available in Hungarian.
Makers of lute-backed (classic French style with carved head), Volksgurdy, Orca model, Minstrel Model, Baroque guitar-shaped style and other models, with electro-acoustic systems, tuners, and other custom work available. Other models available on request. Also a source for high quality used instruments, repairs, restorations, strings, and advice. (We own the website, so we get a little extra promotion.)
Builds specialized HG's, including alto and electrified instruments. Gilles Chabenat and Valentin Clastrier both have hurdy-gurdies made by him. [Carine Smolders]
We played one of his Hungarian-style instruments at the 1997 FolkLife. It was quite nice.
Matt is not currently accepting orders.
Daniel has made some hurdy-gurdies, mostly for his own use, but spends most of his time touring with Ad Vielle and writing music. He built at least one instrument for a member or members of Pink Floyd. He's a very personable guy: be sure to talk with him if you see Ad Vielle perform, and tell him Alden and Cali say "Hi!"
There are a few organizations are specific to the hurdy-gurdy. The rest of these are folk music organizations, magazines that list dances and festival events, and the like. There's a mailing list dedicated to the hurdy-gurdy. There are also some mailing lists related to the music frequently played on the instrument.
| Agence des Musiques Traditionelles en Auvergne Place Eugene Rouher BP 169 - 63204 RIOM Cedex. France Tel: 73 38 87 36. Fax: 73 38 85 66.
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| FAMDT éditions La Falourdière 79380 SAINT-JOUIN-DE-MILLY France Tel: 49 80 82 52. Fax 49 80 82 14.
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