"The interesting issue is that among the non folkie public the concertina seems to be perceived as the most traditional of instrument. the reason for this remains unclear to me".
yes, its mystifying, considering its a mid victorian instrument, it never fails to amuse me., However 165 years is hardly modern,when i think of modern instruments i think of synthesisers, hammond organs and electric guitars.
John, I disagree about your statement about allowing the concertina to dominate, in fact that is a statement I would use for quite a few guitarists, so we will have to agree to disagree.