SteveS Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 I'm in Chipping Ongar in Essex That's a bit too close for comfort; I assume you managed to miss my performances on the Epping Ongar Railway, last year! Peter Yes I did - shame. I always thought that you lived down in the West Country - it's been a while since we last met up - possibly at Sidmouth years ago. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterT Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 I always thought that you lived down in the West Country - it's been a while since we last met up - possibly at Sidmouth years ago. Hi Steve, Well; I'm generally useless with names, but much better remembering faces and places. Do I get to see a photo? Funniest incident was when I was booked at the Wadebridge (Cornwall) festival in 1991. One musician, who I knew from sessions, and had talked to me at Sidmouth, thought I was living in the West Country. At the time, I was living in Scotland. He then asked whether I'd been on holiday for the period between festivals. I hadn't, but with luck, and careful planning of some holidays, I managed to tie in activities "down South" with my monthly business trips to Croydon. Saved a lot of money, too! Regards, Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveS Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 (edited) Peter I used to show up at the West Country Concertina Players workshops in the church hall during the week, occasionally in the Radway, and usually for a good bellow in the Middle Bar of The Anchor. Haven't been to Sidmouth festival for years preferring now to go to more intimate festivals, especially since my main interest nowadays is Nordic folk music. Do you know of any sessions in the area around Ongar? Steve Edited November 20, 2008 by SteveS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbogal Posted November 20, 2008 Author Share Posted November 20, 2008 Thank you all for your input on here so far...Bill I spoke to Neil today. Quick question, on looking at the pictures, which end (or were they marked on both) would I have to take off to try and find the ID marks on it and would it be a matter of just undoing the 6 screws and lifting the top off? Thanks for your offer Steve, how far is that from Braintree? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterT Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 Quick question, on looking at the pictures, which end (or were they marked on both) would I have to take off to try and find the ID marks on it and would it be a matter of just undoing the 6 screws and lifting the top off? On my Anglo, it was only the left-hand end. It's a pure guess that it's the same on an English - I'm guessing similar period of manufacture (within about 2 years), and similar method of marking - but it's only a guess! Sorry if you take the end apart but find no number. By the way, the little two digit code is a "batch number", used during the manufacturing process. Undo the 6 endbolts, then, as "Tallship" says, there are two other screws to be removed. Put the end on a flat surface, and gradually lift the fretted end. Some buttons might fall off their levers, and getting the buttons back in place can be a bit of a sod. I gradually push the fretted end back on, then use a tiny screwdriver to manipulate any buttons which are not correctly aligned with the holes. Good luck! Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbogal Posted November 20, 2008 Author Share Posted November 20, 2008 Thanks Peter, I decided not to do it at the bits falling off part!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theo Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 Thanks Peter, I decided not to do it at the bits falling off part!!! If you just take out the six bolts from one end, then the whole end will lift off and nothing will fall out. Underneath you will see the reed pan with reeds arranged like spokes all round the outside. In the middle of the reed pan will be a substantial sized hole. The hole is there to enable you to use a finger or two to pull the reedpan out from the end of the bellows, it may need a gentle tug, but its only held in by friction. On the underneath of the reedpan there will be a large circular label showing the note letter of each reed, and also showing the makers name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spindizzy Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 Thanks Peter, I decided not to do it at the bits falling off part!!! If you just take out the six bolts from one end, then the whole end will lift off and nothing will fall out. Underneath you will see the reed pan with reeds arranged like spokes all round the outside. In the middle of the reed pan will be a substantial sized hole. The hole is there to enable you to use a finger or two to pull the reedpan out from the end of the bellows, it may need a gentle tug, but its only held in by friction. On the underneath of the reedpan there will be a large circular label showing the note letter of each reed, and also showing the makers name. Note the orientation of the reedpan before you pull it out, so you put it back the same way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveS Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 Thanks for your offer Steve, how far is that from Braintree? About 25 miles. I'll be happy to come over and take a look at (and play) the box if you wish. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbogal Posted November 21, 2008 Author Share Posted November 21, 2008 Thanks all, we have discovered that Bonhams Auctioneers are doing free evaluation on musical instruments and its on Tuesday next week so we are going to take it up there for a trip out to Cambridge for the day..will let you know what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterT Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 Thanks all, we have discovered that Bonhams Auctioneers are doing free evaluation on musical instruments and its on Tuesday next week so we are going to take it up there for a trip out to Cambridge for the day..will let you know what happens. That sounds great ...... although you might now know more than their experts. I would expect them to say something along the lines of "English made concertina from the period c1900/1930". Because of the repairs, I won't even hazard a guess at their valuation. Anyway, good luck, and I do hope that you are able to tell us something useful as a result of your visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbogal Posted November 21, 2008 Author Share Posted November 21, 2008 Thanks Peter, do you think that it has been repaired? Well, having just seen a broken concertina which rattles when shook and various bits out of it go on ebay for £770 tonight, I don't want to get ripped off on the price of it. Going through a marriage seperation at the moment and I want to put the money from this towards a deposit on my new home rental! Going on the trip out of curiosity really, got lots of leave to use up and its only up the M11. Will most certainly update you all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterT Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 Thanks Peter, do you think that it has been repaired? I'm absolutely certain that it has been. In 30 years, I've never seen one made, new, like that. To me, it looks to be a very professional repair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Dunk Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 I should add that in my experience auction houses have little knowledge of concertinas as such. They have learned the names of certain makers, watched the hammer prices and drawn assumptions based on that. Bonhams are a good and reputable auction house but even their musical instrument specialists cannot know everything about all types of instrument. One thing is for certain, they won't open it up and look for evidence or confirm a maker. I appreciate that you don't want to be ripped off, the best insurance against that is to do nothing in haste! I agree with PeterT's assessment of the likely outcome of an auction house valuation, particularly the probable period this concertina was made, but you can believe me that if we've never seen anything quite like it they certainly haven't! You know people here are very cautious about giving valuations, even ball park figures. There's a very good reason for that, most of us are enthusiastic amateurs with a passion for concertinas and the very last thing we would want to do is raise false hopes. This looks like a well made, quality instrument that has been either custom built or substantially modified at some stage and might potentially be quite valuable in full playing order. If you want details of professional concertina repairers/restorers who will charge a fee to look it over and give an accurate valuation you only have to ask. Approaching auctioneers is quite frankly a lottery. Where, oh where, is Stephen Chambers when you need him most? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbogal Posted November 22, 2008 Author Share Posted November 22, 2008 This looks like a well made, quality instrument that has been either custom built or substantially modified at some stage and might potentially be quite valuable in full playing order. If you want details of professional concertina repairers/restorers who will charge a fee to look it over and give an accurate valuation you only have to ask. Approaching auctioneers is quite frankly a lottery. Where, oh where, is Stephen Chambers when you need him most? Hi Pete, Many thanks for your wise words, I did wonder whether Bonhams would be too generic about looking at it. I would much rather a professional in concertina repairs/restoration would be able to look at it. It is in full playing condition, so if you would be so kind as to as to give me their names I would be obliged. I really do appreciate all replies on this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirge Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Got to be Mike Acott in Ipswich, hasn't it? 01473 743080. Comes heartily recommended; he's a lovely chap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbogal Posted November 23, 2008 Author Share Posted November 23, 2008 Many thanks, will give him a call tomorrow, only up the road as well! Very obliged to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbogal Posted November 25, 2008 Author Share Posted November 25, 2008 (edited) Went to see Mike today, a very pleasant man, and now have the following information. It is a Wheatstone - serial number - 28554 (manufactured 1920-21) Concert pitched and in tune, steel reeds, it has been subject as you guys said to a professional repair possibly even by Wheatstone, the backing is gauze. I must admit it bought a tear to my eye to hear it played properly after so many years. Some internal pictures, taken on my mobile so please excuse the quality. So the mystery is solved and I thank you all for your help, we were told insurance value of £1500, so I will decline the offer of £325!! Can an admin please pm me to let me know how I can make a contribution towards your site. Edited November 25, 2008 by Turbogal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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