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4to5to6

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  1. 4to5to6
    I am about 50 miles from Vancouver, BC. There is the young lady I sold my duet to of course. Rumors are there is a player in the Fraser Valley but I haven't been able to get a name yet. If you know of someone, please let me know. Probably best to PM me. John
  2. 4to5to6
    I started playing music in the mid 70s... I've always been interested in trying the concertina but it wasn't until about 3 years ago a friend of my uncle's brought a few over for me to try... all very inexpensive Anglos. It did inspired me to look around again and I found a Wheatstone Crane Duet in Newfoundland for a very good price. Unfortunately, I only learned a couple of pieces and it ended up on the shelf after a week or so. I sold it a few months ago and instantly had regrets so put in an eBay bid and 8 hours later I was the proud owner of a BB RE MR 48K English Lachenal which although in terrible condition was working fine after about 6 hours of tinkering. I've never stopped since and was soon offered an Excelsior in by far even worse condition (which I've spent well over 100 hours on restoring and still have a long way to go). I finally found an untouched, unrestored Wheatstone M22 which I play everyday and work on almost every day. It's a real gem! I'm having an amazing time both restoring and building up a repertoire at the same time. The English concertina seems to fit me perfectly, both working on them and playing them. I just wish I would of started in the mid 70s when they were a lot easier on the pocket book but it's never too late to start a collection if one is very, very patient. I would love to find an unrestored Aeola TT next, then a Baritone. There are no other player's around me but I am doing my best to change that. John
  3. 4to5to6
    I am searching for the PDF copy of Concertina Magazine I/I (winter 1983) which later changed it's name to Concertina & Squeezebox. I understand someone here on Cnet put the entire collection on a CD years ago. I only need the first PDF file. It can be easily sent to me through www.sendspace.com please PM me. Much appreciated, John
  4. 4to5to6
    Any chance of passing on what it sold for? I'm curious. PM me please.
  5. 4to5to6
    I wish it were a treble now that I've given up searching for a TT!
  6. 4to5to6
    Please correct me on this, I may be wrong again, but I believe all the ledgers containing info for serial numbers 21,354 (Dec, 1891) to 24,999 (May, 1910) are not available (roughly 3645 units over 18.5 years or 197 units per year). Doing some math (assuming constant production) makes 23102 circa 1900. I just made up this way of finding the year for the missing ledger years... there is probably a more official way: (Serial - 21355) divided by 197 plus 1892 = circa year (The John Method) ((23102 - 21,355) / 197) + 1892 = 1900 As a test: 21,353 - 21,355 / 197 + 1892 = 1891.9 Serial number 21,353 is Dec, 1891 25001 - 21,355 / 197 + 1892 = 1910.5 Serial number 25,001 is May, 1910 It works!!! Date also lines up with "Her Majesty" on the logo as King Edward started his reign in Jan, 1901. "No. 5" is most likely the model number but I'm not knowledgable enough to know all the features. I keep hoping Chris Algar will write all the vast knowledge in his head down on paper one day. You can look the model numbers up along with short descriptions in the old price lists available online : http://www.concertina.com/pricelists/wheatstone-english/ The two closest price lists are 1859 and 1915 so a bit off from 1900 but it should be a bit of help to you anyway. John
  7. 4to5to6
    Here's a serial label from 22551 that's really close. Just "No." added. I think it's awesome that they saved the logo and serial numbers when the baffles were removed.
  8. 4to5to6
    23102... The plot thickens! I can't quite read all the writing. The experts on here will know. Isn't this serial one of the ones from the missing ledger? How about a close up of the label Trish? Now I'm curious I tried to enhance it but this is the best I can do.
  9. 4to5to6
    By the way... the $200 Wheatstone I mentioned earlier turned out not to be an Aeola etc but it is a really nice 1891 Model No.2 with nickel and what appears to be silver trim. Pretty fancy looking! Serial 21205. Looks pretty rough from the photos but everything is there except the thumb strap screws which Mark Adey says he can make for me, so no problem. Two screw steel reeds untouched!!! And to top off everything... the guy sent it to me in the mail from Quebec today! I thought he was just getting me a shipping quote. Now that's trust!!! That's worth some extra cash right there!!! John
  10. 4to5to6
    I'll be watching... Thanks for the insight... I am learning here too... Hmmm...
  11. 4to5to6
    Hi Malcolm, I still think the serial is okay. They took the time to re-glue the logo from the baffle to the bellows paper so it makes sense that they would also transfer over the serial. Trish, please take it a part again and gently pull the reed pan out. The serial number will be stamped into the wood frame. It is also stamped inside the action box but this can be trickier to reassemble, Just put your finger in the reed pan pull hole and the reed pan will come free. As I recall the label said By Her Majesties Letters and Patents, 20 conduit Street so pre King Edward (Jan, 1901) John
  12. 4to5to6
    A very similar concertina is on eBay right now with serial No. 1352, ledger dated 1847 (so the serial numbers really are all over the place). Not a lot of details and no mention of reed material. Bone buttons. The opening bid is £600 but no bids and it ends today. It's a UK only auction. Box is the standard vertical wood type similar to what Lachenal used. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271919591004
  13. 4to5to6
    Thanks Wolf. Just dreaming I guess. You are right, the fact is, as much as I would like a TT, availability and price make it impossible anyway. I have no choice but to stick with 48 keys and just see how far I can take it. Lite weight and response are the advantages of a treble as well as availability and lower cost so what's not to like! Contentment! On the music side, I've been getting into playing scales in double note octaves, a bit of a challenge on the EC. Figured out a new tune today... Tabhair Dom Do Lamh... one of my favourites! I hope to play it for a certain wonderful lady in my life soon! Thoinot Arbeau Bransles tomorrow maybe. I love 1500s music. As long as I'm busy and having fun, I'm happy! It will take me years to master the treble anyway if ever I even can. Action and response is really bad on what I have though which is slowing me down... not that I have to play super fast all the time. Can barely play Danny Chapman's Rat In Bed waltz even without the bass counterpoint. I find bellows control is still the big challenge... It's an art to play smooth and even but it would be ease if the keys all responded the same! Getting there. I already know the tunes from playing the whistle for years... Tunes are in my head... just have to get them out! Again, I'm really only just the bass player anyway! It's great to be out of the basement for a change.. into the sunshine of the upper octaves. John
  14. 4to5to6
    I've been involved in music and the music business nearly my entire life. Here's the common expression that I have always heard: "The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where pimps and thieves run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side." attributed to Hunter S. Thompson I must say that it is sure relaxing to play the concertina... if I can just find a decent one at a decent price... I will say no more!!! A lot of guys like Robert Pich, David Robertson, Chris Algar, to name only a few have been an awesome help! I've searched (harassed) the world! But... are these musical instruments or antiques? Maybe both! I'm finding out. When I come up with my $500 carbon fibre model that sounds smoother than an Aeola, with unbelievable action, lite weight, even response, speed, balance and dynamics.. and with an indestructible bellows also made of modern materials so that you can leave to whole thing in the back of a boiling hot car all day... look out! Maybe I'm a dreamer... but... Don't worry... Right now I'm only in it for the joy of playing a tune. To me that's priceless! I'm flat broke and still trekking along with my completely unrestored and out of tune but awesome bone button Lachenal. No cash right now, but I feel like the richest guy on earth discovering what can be done with this wonderful instrument!!! I'm just a musician therefore no beans to count... Give me a gig! John
  15. 4to5to6
    Thanks Malcolm. That is awesome. I have it bookmarked. The closest two I could find to 12310 is: 12317 - C1053, Page 8 - Nov, 1864 12319 - C1053, Page 9 - Dec, 1864 So if the serial number is correct lets just call it a circa 1864. Am I right? I am still learning. I went through a lot of serial numbers for fun and there is a lot missing. Interesting. John PS. I was just offered an old unrestored Wheatstone today for $200 CAD. I don't want to rip anyone off so maybe it will be my turn to do my own research tomorrow. Could it be a TT Aeola!!! Amboyna burl! Tortoiseshell! One can only hope. Thanks again Malcolm. You saved me a lot of time.
  16. 4to5to6
    I don't think the case is original to this concertina. Just a guy feeling from looking at Very nice case though. Please check the serial number. An interior photo of it and the reeds would be nice. You said steel but are the reeds two screw or riveted? The indexes for these years were not sequentia so a pain but it should be in there somewherel. I think I found serial 12313 with date 1864. If I have time tomorrow I will page through a few hundred pages and try to find it... reminds of when I genealogy research many years ago, Please add the bellows photo showing the the Wheatstone logo that has been glued to a bellows paper. Very nice they saved it. I could be put onto the end again with a little TLC. Very nice concertina. Has it ever been tuned? Pristine, untouched reeds will raise the value. Thanks, John
  17. 4to5to6
    I'm not surprised. Thread is getting too cluttered. It took me over an hour to try to put together what I did. I'll dig through it all again tomorrow. After 11PM my time and I'm off to bed. What's a bean counter? An accountant maybe? Obviously not with all my typos, errors and omissions! I'm a musician, can't you tell? Don't answer that!!! I've nearly made my decision and just about abandoned this but thought I had better finish it off at least the best I can in hopes it can help someone else in the future. I'm either going with a tenor-treble if I can find a decent one or will possibly get a new one built or else I will just stay with a 48K treble for the responsiveness and light weight and then get a secound instrument, probably a baritone or a baritone-treble, whatever overlaps the best. Actually... Why not? I'm also going to add in the note ranges as well: C4 is middle C Treble - G3 to C7 Tenor-Treble - C3 to C7 etc. I find this stuff interesting and very helpful! I can't thank everyone enough for all the input. Let's add some more Lachenal's to the list: New Model, Edeophone, Paragon, Inimitable, Excelsior, etc. please. John
  18. 4to5to6
    How do you get around the taxes? Can I get concertinas into Canada tax free from he UK? Is there a trick? That would be nice
  19. 4to5to6
    Metal does not become noticeably less springy when cold. There is the Ductile to Brittle transition (DBT) temperature which I believe is something like -50C but I am sure this would not apply unless you are in the north poll! I wonder if the reeds would all snap at this point? Scary thought!!! The original brass Lachenal springs are not the greatest and I have had three break on me. Until they broke, they felt fine. Only sticky when it's cold you say? You may have some old lubricant on the keys that is not cold friendly. You may just have to do a re-bush. Springs are a bit trickier as they have to placed correctly and tensioned properly for the action of each key to feel responsive and correct. I have to do a complete respring one day because of the broken ones. Jump in off the deep end...
  20. 4to5to6
    I haven't tried it on a concertina but use Protek Prolube on piano key pins. Metal and felt... should be the same thing. Do some research first please. Try on one of the worst keys then wait a few days. Spray into a small cup then use a Q-tip to apply. There's also "PTFE powder" which is applied with a small brush.
  21. 4to5to6
    Still missing: No. 22 treble - metal ends No. 6 treble - raised ebony ends No. 11 tenor-treble - raised ebony ends No, 14 baritone - 56K (have 8in./203mm) no weight Lachenal New Model Boyd treble - 48K (presume 6-1/4) Please look over list at end, Have I missed anything?
  22. 4to5to6
    A summary. Did I miss anything? I've highlighted the missing models in bold. Please provide info if you own one of these instruments. pm me if you want to remain anonymous. - No. 17. treble Aeola 6-1/2in, 3lb-6oz (165mm, 1540gm) - No. 19. tenor-treble Aeola 7-1/4in, 3lb-7oz / 3Lb-10oz / 3lb-13oz (184mm, 1559gm/1644gm/1730gm) - No. 22. treble metal end - No. 11a. tenor-treble metal end 6-1/4in, 2 lb-15oz (159mm, 1318 grams) - No. 6. treble raised ebony end - No. 11. tenor-treble raised ebony end - No. 14 56K Baritone-Treble 8in (203mm) - 64k Baritone-Treble 8-3/4in, 4lbs-6oz (222mm, 1969gm) - No. 4a 48k treble 6-1/4", 2lb-11oz (159mm, 1221gm) - Lachenal Boyd New Model 48K - Lachenal Boyd New Model 56K 163mm AF, or a tad over 6-3/8 - Lachenal RE BB MR treble 6-1/4in., 2lb-10oz) (159mm, 1180gm) Other considerations affecting feel/weight: - Smaller instruments (of the same quality) are usually louder, react faster and have a greater dynamic range. - Availability (tenors are rare) - has it been recently serviced/tuned? - fast response can make a larger instrument feel smaller - Every instrument should be assessed individually - position of thumb and finger rests make a big difference - Aeolas have better dynamic range, model 21& 22 bark out better - 48 key tenor-Aeolas react considerably better than 56 and 64 key TTs, but run out of air faster. - Aeolas come from ultra quiet pin-hole to screeming 48 key metal-ended treble - and anything in between, depending on end-material, fretwork-design, reed-length and period. - consider TAM reeds - tipo a mano, aka "hand-finished" reeds - Boyd bowing valves can get in the way
  23. 4to5to6
    Very nice looking vintage concertina Trish. I'll have to look more tomorrow but looks it like 12310 is a an 1864. http://www.horniman.info Probably in Wayne 1053 somewhere. Very clean looking. It's interesting how they stuck the Wheatstone logo to one of the bellow's papers. Very nice touch actually. They usually discard the logo when the baffles are removed. Let me know what you want for it. I might just have to start my own little collection of Wheatstones. Is this how it starts? First a few brass reed Mahogany trebles and then one day I am starring at my book case full of amboyna and tortoiseshell Aeolas!!! Post a few photos for everyone to see. John
  24. 4to5to6
    Yes... I like Adrian's sound clip! Very nice. Edited.
  25. 4to5to6
    Thanks Adrian. I enjoyed your recording. Great feel!
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