MDF-musical instruments

[sidecar_jon]

Ok so it may be a dumb question.But im going to make a Hurdy Gerdy. A stringed instrument, basically a box with wheel sounded strings. My question is, tho the book im working from says beech wood, i cant get any at least not in small quantities, And its an experiment anyway, so i was thinking of MDF. is there any reasons why not?.

 

[petewood]

My cousin made one of these from a plan and plays it for a living. I'm seeing him in a couple of weeks so I'll ask him and let you know (if it's not too late by then.)

I would have thought you could get single planks of beech if you look around a bit.

 

[Jasonb]

A lot of the sound qualities of instruments are affected by the resonance of the wood, you may get a dull sound from MDF.

Jason

 

[petewood]

Something else that occurred to me is that the moving parts would wear much more quickly if it was mdf.

 

[sidecar_jon]

all good points..... yes MDF has a sort of "dead" feel to it. The wearing parts would be in the "peg board" which are violin keys just pushed into a hole, so they wouldnt work for long (hadnt considered that!), so MDF is probably out. I'll scout round for some "real wood" thanks for the tips.

 

[sidecar_jon]

ive used ply wood.. not as good as real wood but better than MDF i think. And it all i could get today.

 

[TexMex]

ive used ply wood.. not as good as real wood but better than MDF i think. And it all i could get today.

The sound board on my piano is only plywood. In fact, I think they all are. None of your cheap 18mm rubbish though, more like about 6 inches thick, and it still needs a cast iron frame to hold the tention of the strings. Probably a bit heavy for a hurdy gurdy though.

 

[sidecar_jon]

err yes... im useing 3mm top and bottom and something labeled 9MM in the shop (only when measured its actually nearer 11mm)... so my thinking is 3mm has plenty of ability to vibrate. Now what i have to do is make a very round wheel (that rubs ont he strings).. golden opportunity to set up my 1956 lathe!