Gwilyn, thanks for the info.

You describe your Erica as strident. I know that you're probably dying to acquire a new instrument, but have you experimented on the reeds on your old faithfull. I played mine for long enough to realise that the 'box' was not my instrument - and it was too loud for my purposes. I seem to recall that I could mask half the reeds to give it a drier and softer sound (more like a concertina). But that was nigh on 30 years ago. I should cash mine in and buy a set of good strings for my double bass.

Regards, John