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Bellows Extend 75% In 20-seconds


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I hope Im following proper etiquette by starting a new topic here. If not, please let me know, Im a newcomer.

 

Ive found a Morse Ceili that the owner has had for 5 years, hardly played, seems nearly pristine in the photos. However, when asked how long it takes the instrument to extend while holding one side without pressing a button, the answer is 75% extended in 20 seconds, with full extension requiring pulling.

 

Does that seem like a "healthy" instrument?

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Probably.

 

I've never bothered doing this test to a good, tight, modern, playable instrument. If it never opens all the way the bellows are not old and worn, flex-wise. Each Morse I've played is so well put together (like the other modern, better makes) that unless it has been abused it should be fine. And many Morses are still under five-year warranty anyway, you go to the head of the repair line if they need fixing. I'm the second owner of mine and they still honor the warranty.

 

I did try this test years ago on my Lachenals. 15 seconds was leaky but still just playable; anything that opened faster was so leaky as to be hard to play. I think this test is only good for identifying serious issues (bellows holes or loose pads) in unknown, old instruments, IMO. It doesn't tell you much about a modern concertina, unless it's so bad that the problems will likely be evident anyway.

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2 reed Hohner Pokerwork accordion, 2 row in good condition will fully open in 45+ seconds. I have this impression that accordions/concertinas must leak a little, otherway they'll be too unforgiving.

I mean, what do "I" know, having 20 button brass reed Lachenal?

But I had Wakker, Case, Wheatstone, Morse and a bunch of accordions in various shapes. If it doesn't leak, I use the air button.

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Ive found a Morse Ceili that the owner has had for 5 years, hardly played, seems nearly pristine in the photos. However, when asked how long it takes the instrument to extend while holding one side without pressing a button, the answer is 75% extended in 20 seconds, with full extension requiring pulling.

 

Does that seem like a "healthy" instrument?

Sounds like it should be looked at and adjusted. There are a lot of factors. If the box was rarely played and kept out of its case, the bellows will still be firm and have a natural set to BE open... or the Owner may have opened the up concertina but not adequately tightened the ends again... or there could be a pad seating issue, etc.

 

I'd say it's more an issue of a "neglected" instrument (which can happen to any brand/make of concertina).

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Guest Old Leaky
I hope Im following proper etiquette by starting a new topic here. If not, please let me know, Im a newcomer.

 

Ive found a Morse Ceili that the owner has had for 5 years, hardly played, seems nearly pristine in the photos. However, when asked how long it takes the instrument to extend while holding one side without pressing a button, the answer is 75% extended in 20 seconds, with full extension requiring pulling.

 

Does that seem like a "healthy" instrument?

 

I HAVE JUST CONDUCTED THIS "TEST" on my three 30-key anglos with results as follows:

 

1. 3-month old MORSE CEILI: not much movement but a lot of creaking and inherent resistance. Gave up after 15 secs. so as not to introduce problems where none exist. Probably good exercise for it...

2. 3-month old MARCUS DELUXE: less movement though less "noise" than above within 15 secs. when I chickened again.

3. *-year old LACHENAL (Rosewood, steel reeds): 75%-ish after 30 secs. *Unable to date this vintage example pictured as my avatar but it does require studious use of the air button. Does this pass? If so, I'll have to come up with another nom-de-plume/guerre.

4. OK I didn't bother with my 1-year old Stagi...

Edited by Old Leaky
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Sounds like it should be looked at and adjusted. There are a lot of factors. If the box was rarely played and kept out of its case, the bellows will still be firm and have a natural set to BE open... or the Owner may have opened the up concertina but not adequately tightened the ends again... or there could be a pad seating issue, etc.

 

I'd say it's more an issue of a "neglected" instrument (which can happen to any brand/make of concertina).

 

Thank you Richard. Yes, I believe that is probably the case (neglected). This was item 7389108082 on ebay. I was considering making a move on it, but you snooze, you loose. It sold today apparently. I think the instrument has spent most of its 5-year life in the case.

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Yes, I believe that is probably the case (neglected). This was item 7389108082 on ebay. I was considering making a move on it, but you snooze, you loose. It sold today apparently. I think the instrument has spent most of its 5-year life in the case.
I just checked its bid history on eBay but it looks like it DIDN'T sell despite the $855 "Buy it now price. All the "offers" were declined. I don't understand.... That would be an incredible price for it (par for a "high-end" Stagi). Maybe everyone made lower offers? If that's the case you might try the guy and buy it direct from him. If it didn't go this round I don't see where he'd be willing to put it back up on eBay.
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I see that at least one active c.net member bid on this and might be able to offer an explanation of what's going on.

 

Yes, I believe that is probably the case (neglected). This was item 7389108082 on ebay. I was considering making a move on it, but you snooze, you loose. It sold today apparently. I think the instrument has spent most of its 5-year life in the case.
I just checked its bid history on eBay but it looks like it DIDN'T sell despite the $855 "Buy it now price. All the "offers" were declined. I don't understand.... That would be an incredible price for it (par for a "high-end" Stagi). Maybe everyone made lower offers? If that's the case you might try the guy and buy it direct from him. If it didn't go this round I don't see where he'd be willing to put it back up on eBay.

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Yes, I believe that is probably the case (neglected). This was item 7389108082 on ebay. I was considering making a move on it, but you snooze, you loose. It sold today apparently. I think the instrument has spent most of its 5-year life in the case.
I just checked its bid history on eBay but it looks like it DIDN'T sell despite the $855 "Buy it now price. All the "offers" were declined. I don't understand.... That would be an incredible price for it (par for a "high-end" Stagi). Maybe everyone made lower offers? If that's the case you might try the guy and buy it direct from him. If it didn't go this round I don't see where he'd be willing to put it back up on eBay.

 

 

yes, that seems odd. ive emailed the seller to see if the $855 still stands. according to the advertisement, the potential buyer can try it out for a week and return it if there's something wrong. seems to good to pass up!

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I just checked its bid history on eBay but it looks like it DIDN'T sell despite the $855 "Buy it now price. All the "offers" were declined.
That's not a "Bid History", but a "History" of "Purchases", whatever that means. I've never seen that before.But it also lists "sweetfelons" as "Buyer".
I was confused about that too as the "offer history" lists him as being declined.

 

Maybe the offer history DOES NOT list the winning person?

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I just checked its bid history on eBay but it looks like it DIDN'T sell despite the $855 "Buy it now price. All the "offers" were declined.
That's not a "Bid History", but a "History" of "Purchases", whatever that means. I've never seen that before.But it also lists "sweetfelons" as "Buyer".
I was confused about that too as the "offer history" lists him as being declined.

 

Maybe the offer history DOES NOT list the winning person?

No, I think Paul's comment contains the answer (though I admit I'm somewhat guessing): I think that the "offers" were "bids" that didn't make the reserve, and thus they would have been "rejected". If the auction started with a higher "Buy It Now" than $855, then an earlier bid that was higher than that would suddenly have become a "sale". Or an earlier bidder could have seen the new "Buy It Now" price and quickly agreed to it. Maybe the "Offer" history doesn't include a direct Buy It Now sale?

 

There's lots of info on the eBay web site, but I haven't found any that explains how they compile their "histories", e.g., why a single bidder may be listed not only with multiple consecutive bids, but sometimes with multiple bids at the same price. :o

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I recieved an email this morning from the seller, who said it sold right away at the $855. Darn, it must have been listed as buy it now at that price for a very short time. It still doesnt explain the confusion at the advertisement page. Its funny, Ive been scouring Ebay for concertinas for about a month now, and I never even saw this one until someone from this site mentioned it. It must have been burried somewhere and thats why it took so long to sell.

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I recieved an email this morning from the seller, who said it sold right away at the $855. Darn, it must have been listed as buy it now at that price for a very short time. It still doesnt explain the confusion at the advertisement page. Its funny, Ive been scouring Ebay for concertinas for about a month now, and I never even saw this one until someone from this site mentioned it. It must have been burried somewhere and thats why it took so long to sell.

 

I think it was listed in an ebay store. It didn't show up on a normal search. I've not seen that or this type of bidding process before

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