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Advice Needed


nuc

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We probably could though would need more information - like if you'd post a couple pictures of it here. Going by what you've given us so far I would say that your box could be between 100 years old and brand new, by one of any number of makers (many who've died out or have been consolidated), and worth from nothing to about $125.

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Theo, if you are reading, thanks for responding. This doesnt seem to me to be that cheap of an instrument, it seems to be well crafted. I would hope. This is what the accordian repair technician told me, he says it is weel made and would be worth fixing up, that it would sound way better than a $150 hohner. This one does not have metal read system like the hohner, and he said therefore would sound better, last longer and easier to repair. The bellows are strong and airtight. The buttons need to be re-enforced and the reeds need to be replaced. a $250 CND repair job. Tp me it seems worth it, compared to buying a $250 hohner that is made in china mass produced. This one seems to have alot of character, and maybe it is well-crafted. It seems worth restoring. There is no company name on it, just says made in italy, who knows by who??? But i really cant say with no experience. What advice can you guys give. much appreciated.

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nuc,

 

The advice you are getting comes from the experience that cnet members have had in general with these types of concertinas. Usually someone who plays more than six months outgrows the sound and response of these kinds of instruments. In the meantime there is a likelyhood of things going wrong, like sticking buttons, that can discourage even the most ardent of students.

 

We all hope your concertina is the exception but experience says it probably won't be.

 

Before you sink more money into a box that you will probably leave behind in six months I wonder if it wouldn't be better to use it as a practice instrument and take that repair money and start a "next instrument fund"?

 

A decent 20b reconditioned Lachenal might cost $500. USD and be ready to for ANOTHER hundred years of playing! A 30b Stagi at $500 to $650., while not a lifetime instrument, would give you more key choices and probably better performance than reconditioning your current box.

 

There don't seem to be any inexpensive good choices for anglo concertina beginners. Most folks who like the concertina move on to a better instrument as soon as possible. However things turn out I hope you continue to enjoy and play the concertina.

 

Best of luck,

 

Greg

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Nuc...........I see you posted dollars in canadian.....where are you? If you need help advice etc, you are not alone.A new member swung by my place just before Christmas just having bought a cheaper concertina......................he's now well on his way to a better instrument.!!

There is also an excellent concertina repair person in Toronto (not me BTW !!) if you need one. Cheers Robin

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hey im located in montreal, but i come to ontario often..i will be in toronot and brampton in a couple of weeks. How could you help?? this instrument, needs new leather reeds straps, waxing and the buttons beed to be reinforced. an accordian reapir guy hear in montreal named frank romano says he could do it, seems credible and legitimat. would cost 250.. Is it worth it you think. I would be interested in another opinion. There is no-one in montreal who knows about concertinas much. What can you offer?? what is the reapir person in toronto contact info??????? your info????? thanks!!!!!!

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an accordian reapir guy hear in montreal named frank romano says he could do it, seems credible and legitimat. would cost 250.. Is it worth it you think.

No. I think not.

 

It's a "cheap" instrument, even if it's well made for its kind. I believe that equivalent instruments absolutely new are currently available. I don't know prices, because I don't pay attention to them, but it wouldn't surprise me if you could get the brand-new instrument for less than the CDN $250 quoted to repair this one.

 

Others here know more about this type than I do, and I hope they'll give you a clear answer, soon. But I'm pretty sure they'll concur that it isn't worth the price to repair.

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This one does not have metal read system like the hohner, and he said therefore would sound better, last longer and easier to repair. The bellows are strong and airtight. The buttons need to be re-enforced and the reeds need to be replaced. a $250 CND repair job.

 

"Buttons need to be re-inforced"????? never heard of that one before

 

"reeds need to be replaced" presumably he means reed valves need to be replaced

 

If the reeds do need to be replaced its really not worth it. If its just valves and rewaxing the price seems to be on the high side. I do lots of work on accordions as well as concertinas. My guide price for a full reed overhaul for a 20 key concertina, assuming its single voice (it might not be) would be around half what your repairer is quoting. Of course I'm not including the "button re-inforcement" whatever that is, and I've not seen inside the instrument so there may be problems that I'm not aware of.

 

"does not have metal read system like the hohner" all concertina reeds are metal! this sounds like an attempt to confuse you with technical sounding babble. I've heard car mechanics talking like this!

 

What are the problems with this concertina that led you to seek a repair?

 

Take care.

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NUC, I thought I replied yesterday but it didn't show up. I cruised ebay and this kind of instrument seems to go for about US$40 to 60. There is an accordion repair place in Toronto called the Canadian Music Centre, I believe (google Toronto and accordion). They are quite reliable.

 

However, I would take the advice of the other members and cut your losses on this one. If you really want to play, you'll need the sort of instrument that Greg is talking about. I am in Toronto so if you want to drop by I can show you some vintage instruments. Contact me off list.

 

Regards

 

Paul

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That's strange. I replied yesterday too and the post didn't show either. That model you have is probably 10-15 years old and is still in production made by Stagi under it's Brunner label, model M-4-2. Brand new they're about $200 (about what the guy quoted you just for "fixing"yours). Keep in mind that new ones often need "adjustments" too. This model is right near the bottom end of an "affordable" maker of concertinas.

 

This model comes up on eBay often where you can get it for a lot less. I suggest that you play your concertina (even if it's only marginally playable) and save up your money for a better one.

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That's strange. I replied yesterday too and the post didn't show either.

Are you sure it didn't show? nuc started four different Topics, in 3 different subForums, all about this one instrument. I think Paul found his "missing" post in one of the other threads. Maybe you will, too?

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Okay, thanks everyone for responding, this is all great help, i will just clarify things here so i can get the best advice. The bottom line is that i really want to start ASAP learning how to play, and basically cant afford a "good vintage concertia or any high end concertina" right now, from the looks of it they are really expensive, i just cant afford it. Also i would just need a beginner one from the looks also. I have attained this one from ebay for about $100US, it is totally NOT functional, but i will get money back because the seller totally lied to me, etc...Anyways, about the majority of notes are buzzing like crazy. And the buttons are unplayably loose. This accordian guy up here has figured out a way to reinforce the keys with a little rubber like tubing, he showed me with one and the button is totally stable again.

 

His work estimate says. Reed blocks require all new reed leathers and rewaxing. And the two keyboards need replacing of button stabilizers and overall readjustment. parts 25.00, and labour 200.00 CDN. This is FRM enertprises (Frank Romano), maybe some of you heard of him.

 

So, what are my options?? I have a concertina on my hands, should i bother looking for another cheap one. Im not going to use ebay again thats for sure. So, with the money i get back for the fraudulent like purchase, i will end up spending about 250.00. The cost of a new one like this right?? I assuming it will be fine to play for quite a while after repair, and i assume this one will suit my needs and sound fine. It does look like a brunner - stagi one

 

If anyone can respond back or personally email me. I am interested in looking at others as well. And if anyone is willing to look at this one for repair, and give some professional repair advice etc, i would greatly appreciate that. I will be in Toronto in a couple of weeks. I will call read' reeds also. Please leave email.

Thanks again, this is great help.

 

mark

 

mark301078@hotmail.com

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Another last question, this all being said. There is the hohner concertina D40, which looks nice and works out to be the same price. What does everyone think about that model, compared to my brunner model??? much difference??? I was told the hohner is harder to repair, made differently. Should i just rely on something new like this one and not repairing the other. I cant tell what is worth it.......dilema.

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Hi Mark

 

Now I understand what you meant by reinforcing the buttons. This is an easy task you can do yourself. Instructions here on c.net

 

If you are reasonably competent with hand tools you could have a go at the other jobs too. Reed valves are not difficult to fit, but you do need the correct type of leather. Any accordion repairer will have them. You also need to remove the reeds, clean off the old wax, then fix the reeds back in place with new wax. You can also buy the correct type of wax from accordion repairers, and with care it can be applied with a soldering iron.

 

Try with just one reed first and see if you think you can manage more.

 

This seems to me to be the best way to gain something from a bad ebay buy, you should be able to end up with a concertina that is at least playable, and you will have some useful new skills too.

 

If you fail with the repairs you will still have the money you would have spent on repairs to put towards a decent starter concertina.

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