Used Instruments

These are the used, or perhaps we should call them "previously owned" hurdy-gurdies we have for sale.

For these instruments that need restoration, the price shown is for the completely restored instrument. As for an instrument sent to us, we give the buyer a complete listing of the work that needs to be done. Essentially the buyer purchases the unrestored instrument and then commissions us to restore it. For more information about our restoration services and buying a used instrument, see our services page.

French or German Alto hurdy-gurdy

[no photos]

Luteback by anonymous French maker

Front view

Detail of peghead

This instrument is awaiting restoration. It is unsigned with no label inside the body, and the keybox top, crank, and wheel cover are missing. The soundboard is spruce, and appears to be of good quality. A previous owner apparently attempted to give it a makeover by removing part of the finish. The restored instrument will be completely refinished. This is a great chance to get into a French luteback at a bargain price.

Price: $3000 fully restored, including custom soft case, strap, cotton, rosin

Please contact us if you would like to purchase the unrestored instrument.

Guitar-shaped Baroque style by Jomier, mid 1800's

Front view

Detail of peghead

This instrument is awaiting restoration. It was reputedly built by Nicholas Jomier in the mid 1800's, and bears his stamp. This is a classic Baroque style instrument in the later tradition of the French builders who copied the work of Parisian builders like Louvet.

Price: $5000 fully restored, including custom soft case, strap, cotton, rosin

Please contact us if you would like to purchase the unrestored instrument.

Guitar-shaped Baroque style by anonymous French maker

Front view

Detail of peghead

This instrument is awaiting restoration. It is unsigned with no label inside the body or keybox. Several parts are missing, including the wheel cover and some of the pegs.

Price: $4000 fully restored, including custom soft case, strap, cotton, rosin

Please contact us if you would like to purchase the unrestored instrument.

Guitar-shaped Baroque style by anonymous French maker

Front view

Detail of peghead

This instrument is awaiting restoration. It is unsigned with no label inside the body or keybox. The peghead is very finely carved, and the style appears to be Parisian. .

Price: $3000 fully restored, including custom soft case, strap, cotton, rosin

Please contact us if you would like to purchase the unrestored instrument.

Very unusual HGLO (hurdy-gurdy-like object)

Front view

Detail of keybox

Detail of soundboard

This is a large and very unusual instrument, awaiting restoration. It is unsigned with no label inside the body or the keybox top. The craftmanship is fairly rough, though clearly a lot of time went into it. It's designed for 3 chanter strings and 18 sympathetic strings. It has a compass of 3 octaves, and the tangents are not tunable. For the HG player or collector who has everything, this is a one-of-a-kind instrument, not to be missed.

Price: make offer

Please contact us if you have comments or questions about this page or other pages on this site.

Alden and Cali Hackmann
Olympic Musical Instruments

Beati illi qui in circulum circumeunt, fient enim magnae rotae.

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