shipcmo

The three instruments

A charming lass!

Well, about 25 years ago I had one! One day John Townley came by the schooner and motioned me over to his car, where the trunk lid was up. Pointing to the BIG RED, he said if I could lift it and play, I could have it. So I tried. Eventually it ended up at Ramblin Conrads where it languished for years. It was still there when Bob Zentz went out of business. Could this be IT? Cheers, George

Now that is an interesting concept; playing my Dipper on my 101st Birthday! I just might make it! One Greatgrandmother lived to 98, the other to 102. Cheers everyone! Geo

There has been a lot of interest here on C.net in the history of individual boxes, and some dismay at sometimes a lack of manufacturer’s records. I propose that as a tribute to Colin and Rosalie Dipper we construct a contemporary history here on C.net. As I recall, Colin began making instruments around 1972. There once was a catalog, but Colin felt “it would cost too much.”, and, as best as I can tell every instrument they made was “special” anyhow. So, let us all report on the instruments we know of; with whatever details of the individual instruments possible, including serial numbers and date of manufacture. Meanwhile, I will see if Ken is willing and able to post some articles from the old C&S magazine. Cheers, Geo

Looks like a Scholer to me. Typical "German" construction. Given the two interior bellows frames, probably double reeds. Cheers

Chris, Since, as far as I know, Colin does not, and never has, produced a catalog of his models, it might be of interest to this community if one were published. Could we persuade you to garner such information? Also, I would like to encourage the Owners of Dippers to post their models here. Cheerily, man, cheerily!

Just musing; I believe that all concertina makers have at one time or another constructed “special” instruments. But most of their output was in “production” models. To be frank, there is not much profit in special instruments. I suspect that the specials were for special customers, as advertising; or the design piqued the interest of the maker. That said, it is my perception that the current concertina makers are craftsmen making a modest living building new instruments, and also repairing older ones. Instrument repair usually results in immediate income, whereas instrument manufacture income generally is only from the finished product. Thus efficiency of production is an important consideration for the maker. Therefore setting up jigs for a standard model, and producing a “run” of that model will provide the best income. Just as once (pre Neil Wayne) one could find a Jeffries at a “reasonable” price, the chance of a maker producing a really unique instrument, just because a customer wanted one, is probably a thing of the past. Cheers

Well according to John Townley is should be: Comprimere In Aeternum (squeeze on forever) Cheers, Geo

There is a very good article by Stuart Frank, titled "Concertina Around Cape Horn", in Concertina & Squeezebox, Vol. 2, No. 2 Spring 1984, where, among other comments regarding concertinas at sea, he reports of a documented case of a 20 button Anglo-German, circa 1906, which is now in the Mariners' Museum, Newport News, VA. Cheers, George Salley

If I were a rich man....... I'd have one of each! Chris is absolutely right; Dippers can be, and are unique. I doubt that there is another like my C/F Shantyman. Colin made it for ME. So I guess it will have to go to Fiddler's Green with me. The Jeffries can be passed on. As to sound(s); for me the music and my mood determine which sound seems "right". At times the old funky 20 button double reed Sholer is appropriate. And there are times when I play my original 30b Bastari, just for the memories. Season's Greetings George

Curiouser & curiouser, that Colin would recommend a wooden ended. My Dipper had the wooden ends for the "mellow" sound, against the "brighter" sound of my metal ended Jeffries. I must ask John Townley about his. Che ers, Geo

Years ago I met a busker on a ferry in Seattle with that problem, but it didn't seem to hinder him much. In his case the bellows were collapsing inward on the draw. I suggested he make a frame, or frames, of coat hanger wire to insert in the fold(s) inside. Don't know if it worked, since I never saw him again. Cheers, Geo

Well, I don't know about on the Ohio, but on the James the bateau "operators" use the oars for steering, so I would think that pulling on the oar nearest to the bank (beach) in order to get out into the faster current, is the definition. Cheers, Geo

Actually Bustin credits Sandy & Caroline Paton. Johnny Collins recorded it as "Hard on the Beach Oar", since he probably mistook my accent when we sang it in Newcastle, and with a different tune than Bustin's. So goes the Folk process. Cheers, Geo

How about: 'Twas forty miles to Buffalo, Forget it, I never shall, -------------- Geo

Well, haul on the beach oar, She moves too slo-ow, Way down to shawneetown, On the O-hi-oh. Anybody know any of the other stanzas? Geo Here 'tis: http://sniff.numachi.com/~rickheit/dtrad/p...ttSHAWNDWN.html

Dave Elliot's "Concertina Maintenance" book is great for the "greater" instruments, e.g. Wheatstones, Jeffries, etc., but for "lesser" ones leaves something to be dsired. Therefore I'm considering putting one together for Bastaris (Stagis), even Scholers. However I no longer have my 40 button Bastari, and need some pictures of the action and reed "pan". Also of Bastari Englishes, must not leave them out!. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Geo.

Are these cloths jeweler's polishing cloths impregeated with rouge, or chemically treated ones? Cheers, Geo

Well, the first phase of the Concertina & Squeezebox magazine re-publishing project is complete. All issues, all 1,427 pages, have been scanned, and are available in pdf format on CD. See the Buy & Sell Forum, and the Buy & Sell Classifieds. However, I am the first to admit the quality is not really up to reprint standards. But, this is a bootstrap project. I hope to garner enough from the sale of the CD to obtain a much better scanner, and professional photo editing software. If successful, I plan to offer an upgrade to original subscribers at only the cost of materials and postage. George Salley gcsalley@earthlink.net 5098 US Hwy 258 N Tarboro, NC 27886 USA (252) 823-2113

Concertina & Squeezebox Magazine on CD Volume Number 1, Number 1 thru Issue Number 32 All 1,437 pages! In Adobe PDF format $20.00 US, postpaid in the Continental USA. Canada: $20.00, postpaid (US funds by Canadian Money Order) Foreign: $22.00, postpaid (US funds) George Salley 5098 US Hwy 258 N Tarboro, NC 27886 USA

John Townley's Dipper had an interesting addition for the air button. It was a small "ivory" forearm, hinged at the elbow, with the hand pressing the button. Thus pressing on the arm would press the button. There is probably a picture of that somewhere. Cheers, Geo

Hi, You didn't say whether you would be using an Anglo, or English, but if it is an Anglo; "Leave Her, Johnny" is a good pumping shanty to use to close the presentation. Cheers, Geo

Righto; what I thought was a different grille pattern threw me; should have recognized the handstraps, tho. G1eo

Note the grille work, and the metal buttons. Comments, anyone? Cheers, Geo p.s. The seller sent me a close up of the grille, but it didn't upload. I can send it to anyone interested. G Sorry about that, forgot to include #3700709840