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Lachenal 56 Button Concertina For Sale


MarkHardingham

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Hi folks, hopefully I am in the right area to advertise a concertina. I’m not actually a musician but the grandson of one! Following my grandfather’s and now, grandmother’s death, we are beginning to part with some of his possessions. I believe he played it for open air services when he was a minister, and this site seems to have members genuinely interested in the instruments and their music.

 

It is a Lachenal Concertina. I believe it's a 56 button ‘duet'? possibly a baritone? with metal fret ends, metal buttons and it looks in nice cosmetic condition and it’s in its original case. (serial number 58874)

 

My ignorance means I don’t know if it makes a good sound (it certainly doesn’t in my hands) - every button creates a sound although one of the buttons sticks a bit and one of the finger straps has broken. I don't know it's value so I'd be pleased to get members' input on this, or make me an offer. I have attached photos and will endeavour to answer any questions to the best of my ability.

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i've tried repeatedly to send you a message about this instrument, but keep getting a yellow triangle with an exclamation point inside of it, so can't go any further. if you could try to message me from your end, perhaps we could communicate about it.

Edited by ceemonster
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It is a Lachenal Concertina. I believe it's a 56 button ‘duet'? possibly a baritone? with metal fret ends, metal buttons and it looks in nice cosmetic condition and it’s in its original case. (serial number 58874)

 

From the pictures, it's a 56 button English rather than a duet.

A "standard" treble English would have 48 buttons, a 56 button model will either have extras at the top or bottom of the range.

If you have access to a tuner (there are some good free apps for phones and tablets) or a piano, it would be interesting to know the top and bottom notes. (the centre two rows have the "white" notes from a piano and the outer rows do the black notes, so the buttons which will tell us where this concertina is pitched would be the highest and lowest notes of the the centre rows.

If you're checking the pitch you may also find that concertina may not be at modern standard A=440, though this may have been retuned or perhaps be a late enough model to be OK.

(All these bits of info will contribute to a price - ie range of the concertina and whether the buyer would need to retune it as well as any other problems).

 

ps it's a good quality model and potentially a nice instrument.

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Hi all,

 

First - ceemonster - I don't know why your messages aren't getting through. Other seem to be able to message me. have you tried messaging anyone else?

 

Thanks everyone - I'm getting more and more interested in the instrument and the feedback is really helpful and interesting - I've posted a few more pictures at this link

http://savalot.co.uk/concertina/

 

What I think I've learned so far is that it's an english extended treble? . . . . NOTHING LIKE I FIRST DESCRIBED IT :o hope the pictures help.

 

Mark

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My Lachenal 48 key Edeophone, has the serial no 58865, and was made in approx. 1922, according to Randy Merris's dating method, so your concertina, 58874, would have been made around the same time. Here is a link to the Lachenal pricelist for 1920.

 

http://www.concertina.com/pricelists/lachenal/Lachenal-Pricelist-All-c1920.pdf

 

Chris

Edited by Chris Drinkwater
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I'm getting more and more interested in the instrument...

 

So you might take it up and play it yourself?! :)

They are such fun...!

That would be the best outcome! Grandpa had a very nice box indeed. There must be somebody in the family who could be persuaded to learn to play it and pass it on to the future.

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Hi Chris..I'll bring my Lachenal over when I see you next and we can compare notes!

;)

AL

 

Hmmm! Compare notes? Certainly, Al, however, I considered reporting you for daring to be seen carrying a non-concertina like object in your profile picture. I've got one of those too, so perhaps we could end up arranging to having a duel at dawn? :ph34r:

 

Chris

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Hi Chris..I'll bring my Lachenal over when I see you next and we can compare notes!

;)

AL

Hmmm! Compare notes? Certainly, Al, however, I considered reporting you for daring to be seen carrying a non-concertina like object in your profile picture. I've got one of those too, so perhaps we could end up arranging to having a duel at dawn? :ph34r:

 

Chris

 

 

I've just bought one of them too. I didn't realise I was following a trend.
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Hi everyone,

 

Lots of interest and everyone is really helpful . . . . . . . . I still feel like a bit of an intruder, am now thinking, should I invest significant time and funds to give it a go? . . . . .

 

don't know!! - Does anyone else struggle with all the decisions and choices?

 

Mark

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Hi everyone,

 

Lots of interest and everyone is really helpful . . . . . . . . I still feel like a bit of an intruder, am now thinking, should I invest significant time and funds to give it a go? . . . . .

 

don't know!! - Does anyone else struggle with all the decisions and choices?

 

Mark

Surely your decision's quite easy - you've only got the time aspect to think about - you've already got a beautiful instrument in your possession that may or may not need just an overhaul/tuning. I'd say go for it and if it doesn't work out, you'd have no trouble selling it later.

Dean

Edited by Defra
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Surely your decision's quite easy - you've only got the time aspect to think about - you've already got a beautiful instrument in your possession that may or may not need just an overhaul/tuning. I'd say go for it and if it doesn't work out, you'd have no trouble selling it later.

Dean

Absolutely right. Also don't let the general tenor of concertina net give you the idea that you MUST play folk music on a concertina. If that's something that you're not into, you should understand that a concertina's a really good all rounder for playing all sorts of stuff. Hopefully you like the noise it makes (fairly vital starting point probably) but you may not have realised how sensitive it can be. With practice you'll be able to make it sigh and weep. You start with a quality instrument, you lucky man; always a great help with motivation. And while you do the experiment it won't be depreciating.

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Also, by coincidence, there is a concertina repairer by the name of Mike Acott, in your neck of the woods. He used to live in Ipswich, but I gather he has now moved. Dirge, above has used his services and would recommend him I am sure. Mike would be a good person to check the concerttina over for you and give his verdict on it.

 

Chris

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