Concertina info needed

Subject: Concertina info urgently needed
From: nutty
Date: 29 Mar 02 - 10:38 AM

Well ..I've done it again. I went to the local car-boot sale this afternoon and came home the proud owner of a concertina but with no box or instructions - Now I need to find out how to play it.

I know there are different types of concertina but this seems quite basic there are 10 keys on each side with an extra one on the right for the thumb which obviously acts as a release for the bellows.

It's not the smallest I've seen but fits my hands well....... the ends measure 20cms by 17 cms across and across the bellows(when closed) measures 15cms. It has a small picture of an elf type creature and the words "The Gremlin" across the top.
From that description I'm hoping that someone can identify it and tell me what I've bought.
Any information will be gratefully received

Subject: RE: Concertina info needed
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 29 Mar 02 - 10:43 AM

I Gremlin Anglo - Hobgoblin sell them. Have a look through these. Jon

Subject: RE: Concertina info needed
From: nutty
Date: 29 Mar 02 - 11:14 AM

HAPPY EASTER JON ... you have really made my day

From the pictures on the Hobgoblin site It appears that I have bought a Gremlin C/G economy priced new at £159 (I paid £23) Anyone got a box going cheap??????

Subject: RE: Concertina info needed
From: Jock Morris
Date: 29 Mar 02 - 01:43 PM

Try a camera case for carrying it around in.

For instructions on how to play it, Hobgoblin used to (hopefully still do) sell a tutor book written by Roger Watson; that's how I learned.

Have fun with it.

Scott

Subject: RE: Concertina info needed
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 29 Mar 02 - 03:13 PM

Hazel you got a great buy!! I went to eBay and there isn't anything on there, including junk, for anywhere close to what you paid for yours!! Great score!!

Steve

Subject: RE: Concertina info needed
From: Mr Red
Date: 29 Mar 02 - 03:26 PM

FWIW Wheatstone was born 200 years ago and lived in Gloucester. Now someone correct but was it not the Anglo system he invented. Or was it a lot of free reeds under that bridge (musico-electrical engineers joke)

Subject: RE: Concertina info needed
From: Jock Morris
Date: 29 Mar 02 - 05:42 PM

Wheatstone invented the English system, not the Anglo. Sorry Mr Red, had to rectify your mistake (another bad electrical engineers joke).

Scott

Subject: RE: Concertina info needed
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 29 Mar 02 - 07:03 PM

Watt are you lot on about?

Nutty, sounds like you have got a good buy. Another possible source for books if you are looking for them would be Dave Mallinson's site.

Jon

Subject: RE: Concertina info needed
From: Noreen
Date: 02 Apr 02 - 03:12 PM

Hazel, The Music Room in Cleckheaton sells soft and hard cases for concertinas, and have an efficient mail order service.

Good luck with your new baby; look up concertina or Anglo in a forum search and you'll get a lot more info.

PM me if I can help- maybe we'll have a tune together sometime?

Noreen

Subject: RE: Concertina info needed
From: nutty
Date: 02 Apr 02 - 05:06 PM

Thanks Noreen ..... I'm going to Huddersfield at the weekend (Group practice) so hoped to stop off at Cleckheaton on the way. As you can tell , I'm well-chuffed with my find.

Subject: RE: Concertina info needed
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 02 Apr 02 - 10:58 PM

Nutty, what a great buy! You're going to have a good time with your new pal, guaranteed.

I bought my 48-button English style concertina from The Button Box lots of books here--Roger Watson is good. They sell cases as well, here, both hard and soft cases. The hard cases are both handsome and sturdy; don't know about the soft cases as I haven't seen one.

Keep on squeezin'

Lin in Kansas

Subject: RE: Concertina info needed
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 03 Apr 02 - 12:21 PM

I think you may well end up spending more for the case, than you did for the instrument, if you follow some of the previous advice. Go to another car boot sale and find something it fits in. Great buy. JohnB

Subject: RE: Concertina info needed
From: GUEST,CraigS
Date: 03 Apr 02 - 04:17 PM

Cases intended for 45rpm records are hard to obtain these days, but many of them fit concertinas. Just persevere round a few more boot sales (carry a cardboard box to put the unwanted singles in). As an aside, an anglo concertina is very similar to a button-driven vamper harmonica, or the right hand side of a melodeon, so once you realise this you can expand your repertoire from other sources

Subject: RE: Concertina info needed
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 03 Apr 02 - 04:22 PM

This is an old one in my favorites file. I like the LINKS off of this site best. But it is also filled with very friendly, give you a squeeze, sort of people. Have fun.

http://www.concertina.net

Sincerely,
Gargoyle