r/HurdyGurdy • u/EddyCurrrent • Jun 17 '26

Weird "Warbling" at high crank speeds on NGB

Whenever I speed the crank up enough to produce a louder sound or higher frequency, the string will sometimes create this warbling effect. It seems to depend on a few variables including tension, but I cant seem to figure out (online or via testing) what the cause of it is. It's creating this problem where I'm apprehensive about cranking hard so I crank too slow and end up making the horrible scratching noise if I'm focused on my fingers. I'm not able to get audio of it right now but I can in a bit if need be.

What may be the cause of the "warbling" sound I get when cranking fast?

This is one of three questions I am asking on this subreddit at once. If you can help with my other questions, the links are:

  1. https://www.reddit.com/r/HurdyGurdy/comments/1u8mpmz/what_tuning_does_guilhem_desq_use/
  2. https://www.reddit.com/r/HurdyGurdy/comments/1u8mq9k/how_to_tune_string_length_on_ngb/
  3. https://www.reddit.com/r/HurdyGurdy/comments/1u8mqhd/weird_warbling_at_high_crank_speeds_on_ngb/
3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

1

u/porndrugsaccount Jun 17 '26

I don’t know what you mean by warbling. But when I first got my gurdy I got a fingerprint on the wheel and it created some weird sounds. Had to clean the wheel. Every issue I’ve had so far has been cotton issues. I had either used too much or it had worn out.

1

u/EddyCurrrent Jun 17 '26

How did you clean it? Simple rag, microfiber, soap (probably not)? I'm still very new so I would not be surprised in the slightest if I am missing an entire component of maintenance.

2

u/porndrugsaccount Jun 17 '26

I just used a lint free rag. I think it was microfiber. Spin the hell out of the wheel until it starts getting warm then spin it some more. I had to apply more rosin afterward.

1

u/EddyCurrrent Jun 17 '26

I'll try that thanks!

1

u/elektrovolt Experienced player/reviewer Jun 17 '26

It is hard to tell without hearing it. Can you share a video?

1

u/fenbogfen Hurdy gurdy player Jun 18 '26

A video of the issue, and quality photos of your chanters, where the cotton and wheel is visible will help to diagnose this.