10 replies to this topic

[Sandy Winters]

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 by Sandy Winters, 22 October 2017 - 08:20 AM.

[Geoff Wooff]

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.

[Anglo-Irishman]

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

[Doug Barr]

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 by Doug Barr, 22 October 2017 - 05:28 PM.

[malcolm clapp]

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!    )

[Geoff Wooff]

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 by Geoff Wooff, 23 October 2017 - 08:38 AM.

[Wolf Molkentin]

 

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? 

[David Barnert]

 

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!  

[Wolf Molkentin]

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 🤗

[JimLucas]

I cannot even spell 'Wolf'  properly!

 
I think you're barking up the wrong canid-family tree.

[nicx66]

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!