To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=120307
21 messages

Concertina repairers?

20 Apr 09 - 07:52 PM (#2615237)
Subject: Concertina repairers?
From: GUEST,Dan in Nova Scotia

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


20 Apr 09 - 08:14 PM (#2615248)
Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: GUEST,DonMeixner

http://hmi.homewood.net/

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

Don


20 Apr 09 - 08:17 PM (#2615250)
Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: Bluegrassman

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 07803 884192, 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.


20 Apr 09 - 09:32 PM (#2615296)
Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: GUEST

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


20 Apr 09 - 11:23 PM (#2615353)
Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: Ross Campbell

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


21 Apr 09 - 01:42 AM (#2615412)
Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: Desert Dancer

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)


21 Apr 09 - 02:48 AM (#2615431)
Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: Skivee

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.


21 Apr 09 - 03:11 AM (#2615438)
Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: Alan Day

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


21 Apr 09 - 03:42 AM (#2615442)
Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: Banjo-Flower

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

Gerry


21 Apr 09 - 04:22 AM (#2615450)
Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: IanC

I repair concertinas.

:-)


21 Apr 09 - 05:19 AM (#2615464)
Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: GUEST

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

Valmai (Lewes)


21 Apr 09 - 08:17 AM (#2615534)
Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: GUEST,Dan in Nova Scotia

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


21 Apr 09 - 08:45 AM (#2615553)
Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: treewind

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


21 Apr 09 - 08:51 AM (#2615556)
Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: GUEST,Ralphie

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!)


21 Apr 09 - 12:49 PM (#2615603)
Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: Howard Jones

Try this for all sorts of useful information about concertinas:

Concertina FAQ


22 Apr 09 - 10:13 AM (#2616260)
Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: GUEST

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.


25 Mar 11 - 07:31 PM (#3121632)
Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: GUEST,Ray Slowiak

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.


25 Mar 11 - 07:47 PM (#3121639)
Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: Richie Black (misused acct, bad email)

Dave Elliott is very reasonable, and he is a really nice guy to talk to for advise.
dave@concertina-repair.org.uk


25 Mar 11 - 08:01 PM (#3121643)
Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: GUEST,Paul Burke

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


25 Mar 11 - 11:06 PM (#3121722)
Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: JohnB

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.


26 Mar 11 - 11:15 AM (#3121988)
Subject: RE: Concertina repairers?
From: Mr Happy

http://www.concertina.net/