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1930S Concertina Worth The Price?


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HI everybody,

 

I've been interested in picking up the concertina for a while and after a good bit of research I've settled on trying to find a duet concertina. Well as luck would have it, a local store just so happens to have a duet concertina, but it's extremely unusual and I'm not sure it's worth the asking price or my time, so I figured I'd ask the experts.

 

Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to take any photos, so this is all coming from my brief time tooling around with the thing, but it was made by Paul Bausch or Boesch sometime in the 1930's (that's according to the seller), and it's only a single octave on each side, arranged chromatically from left to right with the accidentals in one row and the naturals in another, at first glance I thought it was an anglo concertina due to the layout.

 

I don't know if I'm just not great at concertina or if there was something wrong with this one, but the mid-range notes on the right hand (upper register) seemed reluctant to sound, but it seemed otherwise in perfect working order.

The buyer is asking $600. So, I know this is a lot of info for a kinda dumb question, but I don't have a ton of money to spend on a learner concertina, so I want to make sure this is both worth the money and useful for a novice concertina player.

 

Thanks.

Edited by Waphel
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P.S. The so called "piano duets", even ones that have two or three octaves on each side, are very awkward to play. You really need to be able to use the thumb to play a piano octave, which is unavailable on a concertina.

Inventor

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Since you are in the US, you might want to give the Button Box a call and ask about renting an Elise which is a 34 button Hayden duet concertina. Ask about applying the rental towards ownership or trying different systems on a month by month basis.

 

A new Elise would cost less than the piano-based system that you found - which is just a novelty that never caught on. You will never find a tutor book or a teacher for that system - it is really just a museum piece.

 

http://www.buttonbox.com

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Thank you both for the advice, I really appreciate it. I had looked at the Elise, but was worried it was a low quality and wouldn't last long. I'll give it another look. Thanks again!

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  • 3 weeks later...

Since you are in the US, you might want to give the Button Box a call and ask about renting an Elise which is a 34 button Hayden duet concertina. Ask about applying the rental towards ownership or trying different systems on a month by month basis.

 

 

 

I had no idea that they did this! I'm new to C Net and Concertinas myself. I found one on craigslist after getting hooked on listening to them. Alas it is a cheap silvertone and a weak leaky bellows but I paid only $60.

 

Any way, do you know what models they rent and what they typically go for? I've been looking at a Morse concertina and was thinking of saving for it but if I can rent to own that model it would be a joy. Although I do believe anything is a step above what I currently have.

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I am a Button Box customer and fan, who has purchased three concertinas (a Morse, a cool old Bastari, and an Elise) from them. At least the first and last were rentals before I purchased. I also purchased a button accordion after rental, and have rented at least one other box from them. They are usually willing to rent many other than just Concertina Connection instruments, and have always given me partial credit from the rent towards the purchase. Of course, the more valuable instruments rent for higher prices, and they may not rent real "treasures." But for starters, you can do no better, IMHO.

 

Regards,

 

David

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Great!! Thank you both! This is excellent news. I'm already tired of the out of pitch squeaky box I have currently and fighting for Lachenals on UK ebay, lol. I will be placing a call to them first thing in the morning.

 

For what it's worth David, I almost had a Bastari (W-15) model for $144 shipped but it sold just as I realized what a good deal it was! Who knows wether or not it would have been in tune or not but I kick myself yet and check ebay religiously.

 

thanks again!

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Most people on this site (and elsewhere) vouch for the CC models as entry (and perhaps longer) instruments. I never rented or owned a Rochelle (their Anglo) but have had a fine time with its sister, the Elise (Hayden duet.) Rentals are fair on CC models at Button Box, and you can get something back in trade if you buy one and upgrade later. CC themselves offer full credit towards purchase of another of their own models, so the risk/benefit equation is quite appealing. That said, my first concertina was/is an old Bastari, and despite patched bellows, still plays nicely and sounds sweet, for what it is. Oh, and cost 95 bucks.

 

Anyway, welcome to the club/addiction. You can't avoid a good time and learning a lot.

 

David

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