A new Vrábel hurdy gurdy review !

Hello!
A while ago I have tested an older Vrábel hurdy gurdy which was not a well built instrument.
This time, Mihály Vrábel sent me a new instrument which is of a different quality.
In this video Sanne and I discuss the ins and outs of this new instrument built by Mihály Vrábel.
An honest review: we say what we think in our own awkward and Dutch way.
The earlier review: • Vrabel hurdy gurdy tes...
00:00 Intro song
01:59 Introduction and overview
06:51 Playing some notes
08:35 The keyboard
12:43 The wheel and crank
15:04 The strings
18:32 The tuning pegs
20:51 A musical break
21:16 The varnish and overall finish
23:37 Our opinion: is this an instrument for you?
29:26 The Salty Dog recipe

[@FeePhiFolkFum]

Great grapefruit juice review! Always good to know what other players think of the various types of grapefruit juice available

[@Templerlord]

Does the tuning pegs stay over night now? When I last try them they went out of tune even after I switch the string off and on.

[@elektrovolt]

They stay in place, on of the strings is still slipping but that is caused by the way it was wound on the peg. I might find the correct tapered reamer and redo the holes though.

[@markberglund2056]

Check out Altarwind George Leverett in Oregon. Solid modern technology. I wouldn't buy anything with those tuners.

[@elektrovolt]

While these big friction pegs need a bit of refinement, they do not have many issues.
I would not see the Vrabel as a normal gurdy to learn on as they are loud, in a different tuning and still a bit roughly built, they seem fine for loud outdoor playing in certain genres after a bit of TLC.
I would not recommend Altarwind instruments though, most of them sound very thin and nasal due to the internal bracing using huge wooden bars instead of thin and light bracing, among other design issues. Altarwind is by far not on the same level as most European gurdies are but they charge similar prices.

[@lightningspirit2166]

Vrabel let me down badly some years ago, he sold me a bad hurdy which i managed to put right after lots of work partly my own, partly with the help of a luthier ,i let him know,but he just ignored me, not a good man,to do business with...from my experience.. 😮

[@celestialceilagor3802]

No way? Vrabel is now beginner friendly?

[@elektrovolt]

@@celestialceilagor3802 please see the review, we don't think they are a good beginner instrument, only for those who are into a certain kind of music and have a good teacher who can help with the setup and general playability of the instrument.
For a regular gurdy beginner there are better ones out there.

[@celestialceilagor3802]

​@@elektrovolt In essence I agree, and I did see the part where you say it is not good for beginners,
It is down to preference for me, I like the sharpness of the sound and the volume and neither do I really mind tinkering myself on something. For someone wanting to play a softer sound with other gurdies, other western tuned gurdies then a nerdy gurdy is a better option.
The price range competition for this thing is but fairygurdy and those Chinese ones and when compared to a solid body, working trompetted, loud instrument, they are made to look even more ridiculous than before.
It is not clean but not to the point of unplayablility, I would say, I guess id put this between assembling you'r own nerdy gurdy to getting a pre-made one on the extra luthier work scale and the price reflects this.
I don't speak for you and never implied that this is what you were saying in the review, I apologise if that is what you saw,
we are both our own agents and I am saying that I would consider this a good option.
If Vrabel is taking on yours and others advice and improving his instruments, then maybe we come to an agreement that he is a Good Luthier, who makes subpar gurdies. :) 👍

[@seven7ns]

When violin builders would make their instruments in the same cheap look, nobody would buy them.

[@elektrovolt]

Yes, I agree with this. This is a very rustic model but the instrument works and does not sound too bad. There are many alternatives for when you prefer a better finish.