Hurdy-gurdy

Hurdy-gurdy (vielle à roue) with straight-sided tapering soundbox and lower end of bow-shaped outline. Originally with six strings. Front, one-piece, of bent poplar; two soundholes. Ribs, tailblock and one-piece flat back of poplar. Neck section, under keybox, has back wall hinged to form a toolbox. Pegbox, of a ?fruit-wood, cut and hollowed from one piece; seven later tuning pegs. Key-box of ?poplar with arched and hollowed hinged lid. Later turn-button of tortoiseshell pivoted on a nail. Nineteen keys. One-piece beech sliders and touch-pieces for both naturals and accidentals. Wheel of ?boxwood; S-shaped crank with boxwood handle; wheel cover missing. Tailpiece of slightly figured maple or poplar, nailed to lower block.