I was wondering about that too. Wikipedia has a nice explanation of how the two are different:

In the first model the friction of the strings was achieved by a mechanical bow traveling sideways. The second model featured a single rotating wheel, similar to that of the earlier hurdy-gurdy, to play strings. It differs in that a hurdy-gurdy has a small number of strings that are constantly in contact with the wheel, rather than a larger number of strings that can be lowered onto the wheel. A hurdy-gurdy has a keybox with tangents that change the pitches of the strings, rather like placing fingers on violin strings. Leonardo's innovation of a keyboard with a lowering mechanism allowed individual notes to be played, alone or in specific desired chords over a large range of pitches.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viola_organista#Description

In terms of sound, the instrument in the video in the posted article is not at all like a hurdy-gurdy. I find it sounds like a string quarted. Perhaps it's more the kind of pieces that are normally played on a hurdy-gurdy that tend to have a very folk-y sound, whereas the gentleman in the video above is playing a classical piece. But I don't think I'd really mistake this for a hurdy-gurdy.

All of which reminds me- man, I'd love to learn to play the hurdy gurdy. Damn expensive instrument though.

Huh, thanks for that. :)

> Damn expensive instrument though.

I seem to remember having (way back when I was a kid) one of those "101 do-it-yourself projects" type books that had instructions for actually building one. I'm pretty sure it's where I learned about them. Seems like a lot of work though.

These guys (https://www.cbgitty.com/kits-instruments-amps-more/diy-hurdy...) have a laser-cut kit for a toy quality one which might be good enough to learn on.

Oh, wow, that can actually be played? I saw it when I was looking around for one and thought it was just for decoration.

Thanks for pointing it out, I think I might actually give it a try. Cheers! :D

So I had a look around and there are actually a few people who make perfectly serviceable hurdy-gurdies that cost not that much.

And so I just went and bought a proper one from this gentleman:

http://www.vrabelhurdygurdy.com/instrument/

People on the internets say he makes perfectly serviceable, no-frills hurdy-gurdies, which explains the price.

So hey, taneq, if you're reading- thanks for the heads up, which started me on the search for an affordable hurdy-gurdy. I'll let my neighbours know it's all the fault of someone on the internet :P

I mean, a hurdy-gurdy is a bit of a hybrid of harpsichord and viola :) Add in the organ and you get this.

Exactly, and here's where you can see and hear one played: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmSTgU36xn4