favourite concertina maker

Subject: RE: favourite concertina maker
From: The Sandman
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 11:06 AM

life isnt fair.
but if someone prefers a Morse to anything else,thats an opinion,some may prefer the sound of accordion reeds.

Subject: RE: favourite concertina maker
From: Howard Jones
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 10:27 AM

It's an impossible question. Individual instruments can vary enormously, depending not only who originally made them but how they've been used and maintained since. I've seen good and bad examples from all the main makers. So far as vintage instruments are concerned, a maker's name may be an indication of quality but is not a guarantee

Anyway, according to Geoff Crabb the vintage makers were often subcontracting work to each other, so there's no guarantee that all the parts were made by the maker whose name is on the instrument. In particular, Crabbs supplied Jeffries with a lot of parts and even whole instruments.

When it comes to modern makers, is it fair to compare makers of high-end instruments with those making mid-range hybrids?

Subject: RE: favourite concertina maker
From: Bryn Pugh
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 10:15 AM

In 1972 or 1973 (can't remember which - it's an age thing, I know) I bought a 30 key Jeffries Anglo for £15.00, and a couple of years later sold it for £15.00.

I believe such instruments can fetch between 3 and 4 grand these days.

Heigh ho.

My favourite maker - and I am well aware of the fact that this is primarily a subjective issue, as Guran thinks, above - is therefore Jeffries. The Jeffries key system for the Anglo is the system I became used to.

I bought a Stagi 30 key last year for about £165.00, and it isn't bad. It does, however, follow the Lachenal key system, and is a bit of a bugger to get used to. Still - nil desperandum.

When I win the Lottery I'm going to treat myself to either a Crabb, a Jeffries or a Wheatstone. Did Wheatstone make Anglos ?

My first 'tina was a 20 key Lachenal which I picked up for a fiver.

Funny old world, ain't it ?

Subject: RE: favourite concertina maker
From: Guran
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 09:59 AM

Thank you Bernard, can you then on behalf of the handyman Schweik please provide a valid interpretation of the soldier's reply on the subject...particularly regarding my possible merits for this reward..?

Subject: RE: favourite concertina maker
From: Bernard
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 09:36 AM

In the UK, Sellotape is a brand of adhesive tape and Durex is a brand of condom...

Subject: RE: favourite concertina maker
From: GUEST,chris
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 09:13 AM

Has to be Joseph Scates

Joseph Scates Concertinas

Subject: RE: favourite concertina maker
From: Guran
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 09:11 AM

MrHappy,
Not a bit wiser I'm afraid. Can you be more specific? What is it used for?

Subject: RE: favourite concertina maker
From: Mr Happy
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 07:58 AM

Sellotape: in Australia, they call it Durex!

Subject: RE: favourite concertina maker
From: Guran
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 07:53 AM

Schweik,
Not so well directed I'm afraid...I am not a maker!...and if there were a prize...please tell me *exactly* what you mean by "a piece of Sellotape" since neither my poor english nor my incomplete dictionary provides some understanding...

Concerning "favourite maker" my opinion still is this: IF someone expresses an opinion about any present/living maker that is to be regarded as sales promotion and the value of any positive statement being judged in the light of advertisement for that particular maker who's reputation may not benefit from promotion 'under cover' and who may not even be delighted for getting that kind of support.Some businessmen have different views on these matters and may appreciate any kind of shameless public praise...

Subject: RE: favourite concertina maker
From: Bernard
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 06:38 AM

;o)

Subject: RE: favourite concertina maker
From: The Sandman
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 06:22 AM

no one suggested a vote.
I gave an opinion,and I asked people for others.
no, it is not a competition, and, no there isnt a prize, but, if there was, Guran,I would give it to you,and it would be a piece of Sellotape.

Subject: RE: favourite concertina maker
From: Guran
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 05:43 AM

Soldier Schweik,
You recently said this:
..."music is music,sport is sport,you are hardly comparing like with like...while sport may have a clear winner,music is different,it is not about winning,it is about communicating emotions,something which cannot be judged in the same way as sport".

RE: Are you/we not involved in competitive attitudes after all here?
I don't mind, but frankly - the opinion about a particular instrument on individual basis is depending on so many circumstantial factors that any comparison on such ground becomes rather meaningless.
If you compare very specific quality objects one at a time it may be rational to discuss the findings however.
Furthermore having a kind of vote on the "favourite maker" I find somewhat dubious concerning promotion attitudes

Subject: RE: favourite concertina maker
From: Brian Peters
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 05:06 AM

Very happy with my 100-year-old Crabb. I've never had my hands on an instrument I like better, with the possible exception of a Dipper. Morses aren't at all bad for a mid-price instrument.

Subject: RE: favourite concertina maker
From: GUEST,OldNicKilby
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 04:59 AM

Without a doubt for me it is Hamish Bayne and his Holmwood concertinas.
However I would also love one of Dean Onyons S Wave Midis ,very different and they are very accurate ,for some reason you seem to be able to play faster and better, but for the purist they have no reeds.

Subject: RE: favourite concertina maker
From: Gurney
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 03:08 PM

The best concertina I ever handled was a baritone Lachenal, far better to play than my own Lachenal.

Subject: RE: favourite concertina maker
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 02:36 PM

I know a lot of Anglo players prefer Jeffries but I prefer my Wheatstone. I also like my Lachenal bass and mini though.

Subject: RE: favourite concertina maker
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 02:15 PM

I had an arrangement with Peter Bellamy btw whereby he would borrow my D/A one [his being C/G] for extended periods to make a record: so it can be heard on his last few cassettes like Songs & Rummy Conjuring Tricks &c.

Subject: RE: favourite concertina maker
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 01:56 PM

English or Anglo? & for instrumentals or dancing or song·accompts? I love my Lachenal Anglos [1905 & 1912 in origin, I am told by those who know such things from their #s &c], whose wooden ends soften the tone. I had a Crabb metal-ended, but its tone was too strident for singing to & I sold it.

Subject: favourite concertina maker
From: The Sandman
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 01:49 PM

mine is C Wheatstone.