I'm unfamiliar with this type of layout. The description seems innaccurate: the "third row" seems to be, in fact, an extra row of accidentals- http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/160U-400.htm

That's a 40-button anglo. I think Bastari's model number for that was W-40 (not W15-LN as Elderly says). This model predates the W15-LN by a number years so I suspect that it may have the tubing action (very undesirable). If you are keen on this box you may want to ask Elderly about the type of action it has.

Yes, the third row IS a row of accidentals (and some reversed home-key notes). What Elderly means by "adding the keys of D, A, F, and Bb" probably is that you'd be able to play in those keys using selected notes from the third row.

-- Rich --

I'm a noob and don't know the terminology for mechanisms. When you say "very undesireable," do you mean in comparison to newer/better mechanisms, or simply unplayable..? I have a Stagi 30-b and find the action a bit stiff. I thought maybe this would be an upgrade from that--considering the price.

Both Bastari and Stagi made/make concertinas with various action designs. One of the poorest action designs is that the buttons have an aluminum blade sticking out of the other end of it which has a rectangular "window" in them through which the lever pokes through. There's a lot of gap between the window and lever - and - there is nothing to keep the button (with it's windowed blade) from moving forward/back along the lever... *except* for a small bit of plastic tubing.

This tubing is installed over the blade between the lever and the underside of the button. It acts as a cushion to keep the play minimal and to keep the button blade end from wandering up and down the lever. In reality the buttons wander anyway, and when they do the action binds. The tubing also degrades rapidly and needs to be replaced periodically (better with something like neoprene which lasts far longer).

I was just looking at the site again and now realize that I can click through to some close-up photos - in which the buttons appear pretty uniform so either they adjusted them to appear pretty for the photo or that box has a better action mechanism.

All Stagis anglos have fairly stiff and ununiform action. It can be made somewhat better with tweaking the spring forces but that's not going to help with thier asymmetrical lever arm design/construction causes the action to wear out quickly (aluminum against aluminum - what were they thinking?).

Still, that Elderly box appears to be reasonably intact and the price is very good - but depending on the model you have, the Elderly box may not be any easier to play (probably be larger and heavier as well given that it has 1/3 more reeds).

-- Rich --

And 3 more bellows folds...although that appears to be a misnomer as well. I've purchased scads of instruments from Elderly over the years and don't believe they typically spend much time frettng over photo poses--maybe, indeed, those buttons are fairly well aligned. I believe I'll make the purchase and see how it goes. Thanks very much for your reply.

PS- Is the 40-button C/G layout basically identical to the 30-button C/G but with additional accidentals?