It's not often that I have new instruments for immediate sale, but this is one of those times. This is an A/E anglo. It has a beautiful rich, mellow tone. It is a touch faster than the typical G/D, but is a great choice for solo players, singers, or those who wish to play along with certain low Irish pipes. This is, in fact, the same model as the one played by Tom Lawrence on the "Anglo International" CD. Pictures can be e-mailed on request, but photos do not do justice to this beautiful machine---curly maple with a rosewood finish, and metal ends. It comes with a soft case, but a hard shell case can be ordered. Asking price and photos will be supplied on request. Can be shipped right away.

If I didn't already own one of yours in A/E tuning I'd buy this one Frank. I have been very pleased with the A/E concertina you sent me in November. Of the several concertinas that I own it has become a favorite.

I didn't know I needed an A/E until I got together with Tom Lawrence a few times early last year and tried his. I found the pitch and tone really resonated with me and I didn't want to put it down. While Tom was very generous in allowing me to try his A/E on multiple occasions, I didn't think he'd be likely to give his up so I placed the order for one of my own.

I took my A/E to the 2006 Friday Harbor Irish Music Camp in February and Gearoid O'hallmhurain tried it during the class series he offered there. He commented very favorably on both the sound and workmanship and he played a tune on it for the class to demonstrate the tuning and the new flavor it gave to familiar tunes.

While I think Tom had playing with pipes in mind when he ordered his A/E, I bought mine just for the sound of it. I play it with the same fingering I use with my C/G's so there's no trick there; the sound just comes out in a lower pitch that I find quite appealing.

I think it's important for a person just beginning concertina to start off with one in a common tuning such as C/G, but if anyone is thinking about getting a second instrument, I'd suggest getting one tuned in an alternate key combination such as your A/E rather than getting a second C/G no matter who the maker is.

Bruce

Thanks, for the kind words, Bruce. The concertina has been sold. Thanks to those who expressed an interest in this instrument. I will be sending a contribution to Concertina.net.

Frank, I just wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your fine playing on tracks 3-5 of disc 1 of the Anglo International 3-CD set. I particularly like your version of The Blue-eyed Rascal. By the sound of it, your concertinas certainly have 'the edge' and I hope you get to make many more.

Chris