Concertina repairers?

Subject: Concertina repairers?
From: GUEST,Dan in Nova Scotia
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 07:52 PM

Hello to All,

I was just wondering if anyone might have some information about concertina repairmen in the UK. I've got a few problems with my English concertina, (an old Lachenal), and I'm not quite sure who to send it to and, as I'll be in England for several weeks, I was hoping to find someone who might have the time to have a look and possibly fix it up for me.

Thanks so much. Cheers, Dan

Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 08:14 PM

http://hmi.homewood.net/

The only place I know of in the States. UK probably has scads.

Don

Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: Bluegrassman
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 08:17 PM

Hello Dan, here is a contact for Geoff Holter, an accordion and associated instrument repairer based in Darlington in the North East of England,    Mobile [phone], his website is http://www.geoffholteraccordions.co.uk I have had work done by Geoff on and it would be worth a phone call, please let me know how you get on.

Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 09:32 PM

I believe that Colin Dipper is in the London area. Good Luck.

Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 11:23 PM

Colin and Rosalie Dipper may be reached at: West End House High Str. Heytesbury Warminster BA12 OEA England. The phone number (phoning from North America) is 011-44-1985-840516. (Contact info. furnished by C.net)
(This is not by any stretch "London area" - the M4 will take you across to Wiltshire, but then there's a fair bit of rural driving before you reach Heytesbury). Colin has a ten-year waiting list for his custom-made instruments, but they may be able to fit in emergency repairs at short notice. Contact them before making the trip.

http://www.wheatstone.co.uk/ Steve Dickinson (Suffolk) is in a similar position - primarily a maker of new instruments, he can also deal with repairs.

http://www.marcusmusic.co.uk/ Another maker and repairer, Marcus (Newport, S. Wales) has done good work on my Bb/F anglo.

http://www.concertina-spares.com/
David Leese has worked with Chris Algar of Barleycorn Concertinas, over the years finding and restoring for sale some seriously fine concertinas (eBay watchers will know Chris Algar as cocoa111).

http://www.birchhouseave.co.uk/
Dave Elliott has produced an excellent book on concertina repair, and while he does undertake work for other people, a phone call to him might convince you that you could do whatever's necessary yourself!

Good luck!

Ross

Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 21 Apr 09 - 01:42 AM

Just in case someone from the U.S. (or Canada) wanders into this thread in the future, I'll add the Buttonbox (western Massachusetts).

~ Becky in Tucson (I have sent one instrument from here; will likely send another)

Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: Skivee
Date: 21 Apr 09 - 02:48 AM

Mea Culpa on misremembering Mr. Dipper's address. I had blipped the details of a friend's experience.
I apologize to all the good people of Heytesbury Warminster; and to their friends and extended families as well for accusing them of being "Londoners". I now see how cruel that thoughtless remark must have seemed.
What I remember most about the conversation was her great satisfaction at the high quality of the work.


ps, the gnomes ate my cookie, there.

Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: Alan Day
Date: 21 Apr 09 - 03:11 AM

Dave Prebble and Andrew Norman I would recommend
PM me if you require their details
Al

Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 21 Apr 09 - 03:42 AM

I'm seeing Dave Prebble tonight I'll tell him about this thread

Gerry

Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: IanC
Date: 21 Apr 09 - 04:22 AM

I repair concertinas.

:-)

Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Apr 09 - 05:19 AM

All the above chaps are good. I'd add Mike Acott of Ipswich, Suffolk, and Simon Rosser
- East London Concertinas.

Valmai (Lewes)

Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: GUEST,Dan in Nova Scotia
Date: 21 Apr 09 - 08:17 AM

Thanks so much to everyone for sending along the information. I appreciate it. I'll have a look-see and then figure things out.
All the best. Cheers, Dan

Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: treewind
Date: 21 Apr 09 - 08:45 AM

Steve Dickinson (Wheatstone Concertinas) and Colin Dipper are definitely your best bets - go to whichever is nearest. Steve is fine for repairs - in theory he makes concertinas too but you'll be waiting for years - tuning and repairs he'll do in good time if he knows you are a genuine player and have a time limit.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 21 Apr 09 - 08:51 AM

Just to echo Anahatas comment.
Both Colin D and Steve D tend to drop what they're doing if an urgent repair is needed. Probably explains the long waiting time for new boxes!!
But phone first to check what they are up to.
Fine chaps both, (and if get to Mr Dipper around lunchtime you might get bread and cheese too!)

Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: Howard Jones
Date: 21 Apr 09 - 12:49 PM

Try this for all sorts of useful information about concertinas:

Concertina FAQ

Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Apr 09 - 10:13 AM

I haven't seen the Wheatstone man at festivals for a while now - but he and Colin Dipper were THE concertina repairers. I think Steve Turner did repairs too. I am sure Pete Grassby is on that list too.

They should have a net presence.

Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: GUEST,Ray Slowiak
Date: 25 Mar 11 - 07:31 PM

I have an Albin concertina by Silver Horn's Clarion Concertina. It appears to be very old and in need of repair. I live in Copley, Ohio, and would like to find someone near. If anyone has any history on this concertina please let me know.

Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: Richie Black (misused acct, bad email)
Date: 25 Mar 11 - 07:47 PM

Dave Elliott is very reasonable, and he is a really nice guy to talk to for advise.
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: GUEST,Paul Burke
Date: 25 Mar 11 - 08:01 PM

Though it's a dozen years ago or more, Marcus Music did a good job for me.

Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: JohnB
Date: 25 Mar 11 - 11:06 PM

Paul Read in the Toronto area is developing a good name for himself, not there was anything wrong with Paul Read either.
Colin Dipper for SURE in the UK, Colin and Rosalee Dipper will actually be at Paul Read's place in Toronto on May 14th so if you are in UK then he will not be.
PM me if you want Pauls email address.
JohnB.

Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 26 Mar 11 - 11:15 AM

http://www.concertina.net/