Hi Everyone,
After six months I've decided to trade in my crane for another english and stick to one system only from now on. I really like both duets & anglos, but for me, trying to play two systems is one more system than I have the time and ability for. After experimenting with duets (crane, chidley & hayden at various times) quite a bit I'm now sure my first choice was the right one. I was recently listening to Simon Thoumire play a jazzed up version of Fisher's Hornpipe (Simon Thoumire Three, track 5, I think) and it was obvious that I should stick with the english since I prefer the sound of a well played english over the other systems. Ultimately, I think this is by far the best way to pick a system, just decide which one sounds the best to you and don't worry that you may find that system difficult or harder to comprehend as you'll adapt quickly enough to any of them.
Anyway, I'm sure I'll play only english from now on. No more experimenting for me.
bruce boysen

I think it would really send me away for good to a place where they would't allow concertinas, if I were to switch to a different system, now. (I play English.) I think that it would be more difficult for me to play the anglo, etc., after having worked out on the EC, than it would be if I'd never played the EC at all.

I had to make the same decision,I played the Anglo for years and bought a Jeffries duet.The more I practiced the duet the more I made mistakes on the Anglo.The boxes being almost identical in size and shape,I was starting to play the duet chords on the anglo and visa versa.I just had to make a decision one or the other and chose to continue the anglo.
I just do not know how people can play two almost identical instruments and I take my hat off to those like Jim who can.
Al