Jump to content

shipcmo

Members
  • Posts

    128
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by shipcmo

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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.

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

×
×
  • Create New...