Jaap Nerdy Gurdy User manual

Nerdy Gurdy
Assembly instructions
This manual describes how to assemble a version 6. 2 Nerdy Gurdy kit. Go to
http s ://www.nerdygurdy.nl for more info about these instruments.
Changes in v6.
•Dual strap pins added
•Bridge updated to increase volume
•Old version of drone bridge removed
•Redundant plate removed from lid assembly
•Tangents changed to increase tuning range
•Front bearing support improved, to increase volume
•Added adjustment screws to buzzing bridge supports
•Buzzing bridges and drone supports moved backwards (mainly to make adjustment of buzzing
bridges accessible)
•Holes in top plate removed
•Full overhaul of the manual
•Various small aesthetic and functional changes
Changes in v6.2
•Removed support plates for strap pins on the outside (not needed and hard to make them look
nice)
•Changed buzzing bridge supports to include a nut, instead of screwing directly into the plastic
Jaap Brand
The Netherlands
manual v6.2. : fixed definition of string tuning, page 27
Nerdy Gurdy assembly instructions CC BY-NC 3.0 Jaap Brand, 2021-01-08

General directions
•
•The parts are glued together with regular wood glue (not included in the kit).
•Don’t glue the bridge or any part that’s adjustable.
•Make sure that all surfaces that touch are fully glued together. This prevents undesirable
vibration when you’re playing.
•When removing parts from the plate that are still attached, it’s best to cut the attached points
with a sharp knife, to avoid splintering.
•Before glueing, it is wise to assemble the parts without glue, so that you’re sure how they fit
together. You can assemble most of the instrument without glue, to get an idea of how the parts
go together.
•It’s best to read through the whole sequence, before starting.
•If you do something wrong, it is possible to release wood glue by heating it (e.g. with a hot air
gun)
•
lease note: If you live in a very hot and/or humid climate you may need to take extra care with the
type of wood glue that you use. Some glues may not be able to keep the required strength
Nerdy Gurdy assembly instructions CC BY-NC 3.0 Jaap Brand, 2021-01-08
age 2

Parts Included in the kit
Nerdy Gurdy assembly instructions CC BY-NC 3.0 Jaap Brand, 2021-01-08
age 3
wood sheet 3mm 4x
sheet 6 mm 1x
Loose parts Locking nut M8 1x NG-17
nut M3 4x NG-18
bolt M3 x 10 4x NG-19
bolt M3 x 12 2x NG-20
Bolt m3 x 20 2x NG-21
crew 2,5 x 13 4x NG-22
crew 3,5 x 17 7x NG-23
crew 3,5 x 25 2x NG-24
spacer ring 6x NG-25
trip of felt 1x NG-26
string holder yellow 4x NG-27
bearing 4x NG-28
bolt M2,5 (for tangents) 48x NG-29
nut 8mm 10x NG-30
Metal tuners 6x NG-31
wooden violin pegs 2x NG-32
threaded rod M8 6,5cm 1x NG-33
threaded rod M8 22cm 1x NG-34
strings 1x
1x
trumpet C 1x
trumpet G 1x
bourdon high C (cello G) 1x
bourdon low G (cello C) 1x
printed parts 1x NG-1
backplate glueing help 1x NG-2
Upper trumpet edge support 1x NG-3
buzzing bridge support lower 1x NG-4
buzzing bridge support upper 1x NG-5
buzzing bridge 2x NG-6
Bearing holder ring 2x NG-7
shaft nut 1x NG-8
Drone support bushes 2x NG-9
strap pin 3x NG-10
knob 1x NG-11
trap pin support plate (inner) 2x NG-13
tangent high 28x NG-15
tangent low 20x NG-16
Semi Finished parts wheel 1x
chantarelle low G (viola G)
chantarelle high G (viola A)
trap pin alignment tool

The complete kit
tuners NG-3
Nerdy Gurdy assembly instructions CC BY-NC 3.0 Jaap Brand, 2021-01-08
age 4

note: the colours of the printed parts may be different in your kit
Nerdy Gurdy assembly instructions CC BY-NC 3.0 Jaap Brand, 2021-01-08
age 5
Short shaft NG 33
Strap pin alignment
Tool NG 1
Backplate glue tool
NG 2
Trumpet edge support
NG 3
Lower dog
Support NG 4
Upper dog
Support NG 5
Buzzing bridges
(dogs) NG 6
Bearing rings
NG 7
Shaft nut NG 8
Drone support
Bush NG 9
Strap pins
NG 10
Shaft NG 34
Knob NG 11
Violin tuning pegs NG 31
Strap pin (inner) support
plate NG 13
High tangents
(28x) NG 15
Low tangents (20x)NG 16

Not included in kit
You will need the following materials to build your Nerdy Gurdy (not included in the kit):
•Wood glue
•(retractable) knife
•A number of gluing clamps
•Varnish (optional, but recommended)
•Sand paper
Nerdy Gurdy assembly instructions CC BY-NC 3.0 Jaap Brand, 2021-01-08
age 6
Screws 3,5 x 17 (7x) NG 23
Bolts M3 x 10 (4x) NG 19
Bolts M3 x 12 (2x) NG 20
Screws 2,5 x 13 (4x) NG 22
M3 nut (4x) NG 18
Bolts M3 x 20 (2x) NG 21
bolts M2,5 x 10 (48x)
NG 29
Screws 3,5 x 20 NG 24
Bearings (4x)
NG 28
M8 nuts (8x) NG 30
M8 locking nut NG 17
Ground ringterminals (4x)
(string holders) NG 27
8.8 mm washers(6x)
NG 25
A strip of felt NG 26

•Some tools (screw drivers, 3 mm spanner, small drill etc.)
•Some basic woodworking skills and patience :)
Nerdy Gurdy assembly instructions CC BY-NC 3.0 Jaap Brand, 2021-01-08
age 7

Glue the ridges to the top and bottom plates
Notes:
•These parts are all symmetrical, so pick the nicest looking surfaces as outsides of your
instrument
•Make sure that the parts are nicely centered. You can use mating parts to check alignment
(picture below)
•You can use some books to press the parts together
•There should be a plate thickness all around the glued-on ridge
Bottom plate:
`
(only use them to align, don’t glue these yet)
Nerdy Gurdy assembly instructions CC BY-NC 3.0 Jaap Brand, 2021-01-08
age 8
Use these parts to
check alignment

Top plate:
(only use them to align, don’t glue these yet)
Nerdy Gurdy assembly instructions CC BY-NC 3.0 Jaap Brand, 2021-01-08
age 9
Use these parts to
check alignment

Bearing support
Combine the two plates that will support the front bearing
Use parts: NG-28 and NG-7 Assemble the bearing
Assemble the head
Nerdy Gurdy assembly instructions CC BY-NC 3.0 Jaap Brand, 2021-01-08
age 10