Renting a concertina (in the uk)

Subject: Renting a concertina (in the uk)
From: GUEST,Helen
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 12:26 PM

Hello,

Does anybody know of somewhere that will rent out concertinas, preferably in the midlands ?

I would like to learn to play the english concertina, but they are very expensive, especially if I decide not to continue with it.

Google yielded nothing.

A link from concertina.net yielded a place in Tunstall that makes concertinas. It will rent out - but the expectation seems to be that you will buy the instrument , & I suspect they will be out of my price range !

Any information gratefully received.

Helen

Subject: RE: Renting a concertina (in the uk)
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 12:32 PM

Why not buy one second hand on e-bay,i know a couple of people who have done that and are now playing a decent second hand one at a reasonable price which i expect would be similar to renting one.
Scooby

Subject: RE: Renting a concertina (in the uk)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 12:38 PM

Try Hobgoblin.
Giok

Subject: RE: Renting a concertina (in the uk)
From: Noreen
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 12:48 PM

Helen- whereabouts in the Midlands?

I've no idea about renting, but there are cheap ones available as a starter instrument- and Chris Algar in Stoke will sell you one and buy it back off you for the same price, which might be a good plan.

Subject: RE: Renting a concertina (in the uk)
From: Crane Driver
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 06:56 PM

Yes concertinas are expensive - but at least you should be able to sell it for at least what you payed for it, if you don't continue - unlike (for example) a guitar - there's no real market for second-hand guitars. But, if you do get one, the chances are that you'll keep it. So go for it.

BTW, Crane Duet is much easier and more logical than english ..................

Andrew

Subject: RE: Renting a concertina (in the uk)
From: ConcertinaChap
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 01:51 AM

I agree about talking to Chris Algar. An honourable gentleman, you should at least be able to try examples of the different systems and see what you're amining towards. For information (at the risk of blowing my own trumpet (squeezing my own box?)) have a look at my site the Concertina FAQ. Also phone the Cleckheaton branch of the Music Room and ask to speak to Gill Noppen-Spacie. I don't know if if they do do rentals, but if anyone does, it would be them.

Best of luck

Chris
(a different Chris)

Subject: RE: Renting a concertina (in the uk)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 05:03 AM

Most serious music shops do a rental against purchase price for kids learning 'proper' instruments (Clarinets and trumpets and such) where the rental for a period is knocked off the purchase price , so letting
people learn on instruments they may not be able to afford as an outright buy , or parents buying instruments that the youngsters then lose interest in . It may be worth asking at your local shops to see if they can do a similar scheme for you .

Subject: RE: Renting a concertina (in the uk)
From: Myrtle
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 05:43 AM

The Music Room at Cleckheaton do do rentals, and the staff are wonderfully kind and helpful. Definitely give it a go....I've had my concertina for a year now, and am becoming increasingly obsessed by it! Gives me such a lot of pleasure to play it....not sure what anyone else thinks, but hey, who cares!?
Myrtle

Subject: RE: Renting a concertina (in the uk)
From: sian, west wales
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 07:07 AM

Yes - Chris at Barleycorn. He made me the buy / I'll-buy-back offer. Having bought, I'm keeping, but if I decided to change at some point, I'll be going back to Chris.

I don't think I'd go the ebay route for a concertina. Too many pigs in too many pokes ...

siân

Subject: RE: Renting a concertina (in the uk)
From: GUEST,raggytash
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 10:24 AM

The Music Room in Cleckheaton, nr Bradford actually sell a beginners instrument for £100 complete with basic tuition book

Subject: RE: Renting a concertina (in the uk)
From: Noreen
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 11:45 AM

Do you mean the £199 Chinese one, Raggy?

Music Room concertinas

Subject: RE: Renting a concertina (in the uk)
From: GUEST,Helen
Date: 25 Mar 05 - 08:12 AM

Thanks everyone,

I had to go up to the Potteries yesterday anyway, so I rang Chris Algar.

He was extremely helpful, and gave advice (that I could followed up by buying a concertina elsewhere ) ... but bought a starter concertina from him !!!    :)

Sort-of got a tune out of it this morning ( if you allow as many wrong notes as right )

I am too wary to buy an instument from someone I don't know off ebay, though Chris says he has sold some instuments there.

Thanks again

Helen

Subject: RE: Renting a concertina (in the uk)
From: Noreen
Date: 25 Mar 05 - 08:49 AM

Excellent. Let us know how you get on!

Subject: RE: Renting a concertina (in the uk)
From: ConcertinaChap
Date: 26 Mar 05 - 09:29 AM

> I am too wary to buy an instument from someone I don't know off ebay, though Chris says he has sold some instuments there

He does quite often (he's got two Englishes on the go right now). You'll recognise him by his handle cocoa111. Glad he's been able to sort you. I've bought several concertinas from Chris over the years and have never had a problem.

Chris