Sandy Winters Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 (edited) I need new bellows for an old Lachenal I've had laying for years. Has anyone here purchased bellows from Sandylaneman on ebay?? If so, what was your experience and opinion. Thanks!! https://www.ebay.com/itm/Concertina-Parts-Replacement-Bellows-/112576270680?hash=item1a36119158:g:ue8AAOxyVX1RscDW Edited October 22, 2017 by Sandy Winters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Wooff Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Yes. I bought a set of bellows from sandylaneman a couple of years ago and fitted them to a Lachenal 'New Model' English. They are more the thickness suitable for an anglo but the leather and hinges are supple enough that it does not impede movement. The result is airtight and looks fine. Not quite the bellows one would get from Wakker or Dipper but sufficient for most purposes... and certainly 'playable'. My main, 'Band /session' instrument is an old Wheatstone with a replacement bellows by Wakker which is just the right weight for an English, the best working bellows I have ever had, if not quite the neatest. Most of the concertinas I have owned through the years have had their original bellows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglo-Irishman Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 I had Wakker fit new bellows to my Stagi Anglo some years ago, and it's been twice the instrument it was ever since! That was back in the days when Wakker was still in the Netherlands, so more or less next door. I sent him the old bellows, and he built the new one on the existing frame, so it fitted perfectly. In those days, he made a distinction between English and Anglo bellows - the Anglo bellows being "stouter", with less resiliance, so the bellows direction changes are more immediate, but with no stiffness involved. IMO, it is important for the maker to make this distinction between EC and Anglo bellows - I suppose a Duet would call for EC-type, softer bellows. Cheers, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Barr Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 (edited) I got a set of bellows off ebay and the were perfect for my 20b Lachenal. I would go for quality bellows if they are going on a high end instrument. Edited October 22, 2017 by Doug Barr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malcolm clapp Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 While I agree with most of what has already been said, I would add that I have found Sandylaneman to be reliable, prompt with both communication and delivery, and most helpful. He would appear to make more than just one grade of bellows, and understands the needs of players of particular types of concertina and styles of music. The price mentioned in his eBay ad is for his standard bellows though; so be prepared to pay a little more for a better build and "extras" (extra folds, papers, gold tooling plus fitting to bellows frames), which is not at all unreasonable imho, and still seems better value than some other sources. My recommendation would be to contact him direct if possible, or via eBay message, to discuss exactly your needs, rather than just hitting the eBay sold button and expecting to pay the base price. (My only criticism of the man is that he can't spell Maccann, probably in common with 90% of the subscribers to this site, so I won't hold that against him! ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Wooff Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 (edited) While I agree with most of what has already been said, I would add that I have found Sandylaneman to be reliable, prompt with both communication and delivery, and most helpful. He would appear to make more than just one grade of bellows, and understands the needs of players of particular types of concertina and styles of music. The price mentioned in his eBay ad is for his standard bellows though; so be prepared to pay a little more for a better build and "extras" (extra folds, papers, gold tooling plus fitting to bellows frames), which is not at all unreasonable imho, and still seems better value than some other sources. My recommendation would be to contact him direct if possible, or via eBay message, to discuss exactly your needs, rather than just hitting the eBay sold button and expecting to pay the base price. (My only criticism of the man is that he can't spell Maccann, probably in common with 90% of the subscribers to this site, so I won't hold that against him! ) MacCann ,Mc,Cann Maccann...... uh... guilty.... after all I cannot even spell 'Wolf' properly! Edited October 23, 2017 by Geoff Wooff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf Molkentin Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 While I agree with most of what has already been said, I would add that I have found Sandylaneman to be reliable, prompt with both communication and delivery, and most helpful. He would appear to make more than just one grade of bellows, and understands the needs of players of particular types of concertina and styles of music. The price mentioned in his eBay ad is for his standard bellows though; so be prepared to pay a little more for a better build and "extras" (extra folds, papers, gold tooling plus fitting to bellows frames), which is not at all unreasonable imho, and still seems better value than some other sources. My recommendation would be to contact him direct if possible, or via eBay message, to discuss exactly your needs, rather than just hitting the eBay sold button and expecting to pay the base price. (My only criticism of the man is that he can't spell Maccann, probably in common with 90% of the subscribers to this site, so I won't hold that against him! ) MacCann ,Mc,Cann Maccann...... uh... guilty.... after all I cannot even spell 'Wolf' properly! Well, you did that to great success here, didn't you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Barnert Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 MacCann ,Mc,Cann Maccann...... uh... guilty.... after all I cannot even spell 'Wolf' properly! Well, you did that to great success here, didn't you? You should have signed your message, Wolf! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf Molkentin Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 MacCann ,Mc,Cann Maccann...... uh... guilty.... after all I cannot even spell 'Wolf' properly! Well, you did that to great success here, didn't you? You should have signed your message, Wolf! didn't want to risk getting the spelling wrong myself I guess ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimLucas Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 I cannot even spell 'Wolf' properly! I think you're barking up the wrong canid-family tree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicx66 Posted November 2, 2017 Share Posted November 2, 2017 Since you are here in the US, you may want to contact Greg Jowaisas. He makes high-end bellows himself, but also offers a service where he fits the sandylaneman bellows to your existing bellows frames. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now