Defra

The Edeophone is now sold. Many thanks for the enquiries. A contribution is on its way to Cnet. Dean

Last year, I bought an extended treble Lachenal Edeophone, serial no. 58512, online from a seller in Nice, France, who had inherited it from a relative. I took a gamble as he could provide no information but was presently surprised when I received it as there was no visible major damage apart from that caused by decades in storage. The thumbstraps had disintegrated, the valves were shot and the pads had completely dried out. There were no cracks in the casework though and the 6-fold bellows, although the dye has worn through, are tight. I have done the repairs I'm comfortable with: stripping and French-polishing the woodwork and replacing all the valves (the very highest notes on this 56-key extended treble didn't have any valves and so I left them that way). New thumb straps have been made by Mark Adey using the original metal fittings. The pads are extremely dried out and do not close properly so not all notes sound but the good news is that it is in modern concert pitch according to my electronic tuner. I have no doubt that this will make a very fine instrument when fully restored but I am selling this as a partly restored cocnertina because I don't have the skills to do the cleaning and fine tuning of the reeds that are required. Many of the steel reeds have spots of rust on them and the brass reed shoes have some gunge/oxidation on them too. I have many photos showing the internals and externals. I purchased the pads, sampers and other supplies required to replace the pads but have decided that it would be better to let the person who cleans and tunes the reeds to do this as well, but these supplies are included in the sale. I think there are enough to do the whole instrument but I'm not 100% sure. It also has the original leather case which is in pretty condition, although the leather is dry and scuffed and one of the handle attachments has snapped. Anyway, I'm selling it for €800 which includes fully insured shipping (double-boxed) anywhere in Europe. I'm not in a rush to sell and if there's no interest, I will have the work done professionally myself but will then be selling it at a higher price, of course. I'm happy to sell on 48-hour approval subject to the buyer paying all shipping and getting the instrument back to me in the same condition. Please PM me if you're interested and I can send you around 40 photos showing all aspects of the instrument. I've sold quite a few concertinas through Cnet with no problems and will again make the customary contribution if it sells through this site. Thanks for reading. Dean

This concertina has now been sold and a donation made to Cnet. Thanks to everyone who enquired.

I've just received the updated information on CITES regulations for exporting goods containing endangered plant and animal species. Mike would appear to be right in that Rosewood seems to be the prime target and as such I don't think my concertina would be any more affected than before. Therefore, I could consider shipping outside Europe. Here's a link to the regulations for anyone interested: http://www.madinter.com/media/import/CITES%20and%20the%20guitar%202017%20international.pdf?mc_cid=b670deca3a&mc_eid=c8a2ebdbd8

Happy holidays to you and everyone on Cnet.

Beautiful Mike thanks for the lovely start to the day.

Thanks Stephen, you're a man of many talents.

Fascinating videos Stephen, thanks for posting the links. The following even has links to the person who restored mine (at 3 mins 25) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM9zjVq_ztU Just wish I spoke Spanish...

As I understand it rosewood is the main target but people seem to be expecting a general tightening up when the new version of CITES comes in in January and I'm couldn't even be sure what wood it is. I believe it's ebonized rather than ebony. Makers and sellers of stringed instruments in particular seem to be particularly worried about the paperwork and expense involved, but I'm not the best qualified to comment.

I'm reluctantly advertising my 1938 Wheatstone Aeola Extended Baritone English concertina, serial no. 34992. It is in very good condition, in tune at modern concert pitch, has rust-free steel reeds in brass shoes and raised ebony, or ebonized, ends. With 60 buttons + air and starting at the low baritone G on the right-hand side, I've been informed by a helpful forum member that it is an "extended baritone" rather than a baritone-treble. What it means is that the notes on the spaces of the stave are on the left-hand side and those on the lines are on the right. I can send a note chart that I made. The instrument has had an interesting life having spent years in Bolivia where the EC amazingly plays an important role in folk music. It was owned and restored by possibly the country's only concertina repairer who did a very good job. The casework is crack-free and nicely refinished in a satiny finish. The chrome has been rubbed off the badges and relatively new 7-fold bellows have been fitted which are nicely supple and completely leak-tight. The thumb straps appear to be quite new and no wrist straps have ever been fitted. All I've had to do since acquiring the instrument from the former owner's brother who lives in Paris is replace all the pads as they had dried out and certain valves, all of which were sourced from S. Dickinson at Wheatstone's in England. I have also adjusted the fit of a few reed shoes in their housings with paper. Any worries about effects of the Bolivian climate, or insects, on the instrument were unfounded. It does not have a riveted action but it is still very responsive and also has an excellent dynamic range. It comes in a solid case - possibly the original but it has been customised. I can supply photos and a couple of basic sound files to any potentially interested parties. I'm advertising it at below what might be expected of such a quality instrument because it hasn't been restored by one of the few recognised restorers in Europe or the US but I have had no problems with it at all and am confident that it's next owner will be very happy with it. In case anyone is wondering why I sell so many instruments on here after a relatively short ownership, I'd just like to say it's my hobby. I was self-employed for many years and when times were good I invested in quality instruments (not just concertinas), which I enjoy and sell on again after enjoying them when I need to raise cash, as I do now. I've found I don't lose out with the quality vintage instruments I buy. That's not the case with modern or cheaper ones! In view of the uncertainty surrounding the new CITES regulations to come in on January 2nd, I think I'd better restrict this sale to Europe. I'm looking for 2,400 pounds or the euro equivalent which includes Paypal fees. Thanks for reading this long ad. and don't hesitate to PM me if you'd like any more information. I'd be happy to arrange a Skype call, phone call or better still, a personal visit. If sold here, I'll make the usual contribution to Cnet. Dean

Sounds great. One track featured on Mike Harding's folk show on Sunday https://www.mixcloud.com/mikeharding10/the-mike-harding-folk-show-207/ Lovely playing, singing and harmonies by Nic Jones.

Now sold and contribution made to Cnet.

On hold. Will make the usual contribution to Cnet when the sale is finalised.

I'm now offering this instrument for sale at €350. I won't be dropping the price any lower though. Thanks, Dean

Perhaps stringing them with catgut might be the reason Nice one!