Mike Acott

Hello David , nice to hear from you again, i'm still surviving and going to a variety of sessions. I have a 72 key Lachenal McCann for sale, as I try to play my Cranes. Keep well. Mike

Do you have a date for ser no 17037 48 key treble. Mike

Around 24 years ago I purchased a Chinese copy of a certain German made machine ( spare parts I believe are ok for both machines), It still serves me well doing all skiving well. The only item I use from a UK companyis is the very thin facings on the trapeziums of the bellows.

A sad day when a fine player dies, I had several contacts with Norman in carrying out some maintenance of his concertinas ,I also purchased a fine Wheatstone from him. This was some years ago but the memory of him is still clear. Mike

Let me have your mail and I will send some photos of the internal workings as well as the fret work. Happy New Year. Mike

Maccannic, The Aeola range is LH G2toG#4 RH G#toC7 this is a 29000 series box the Lachenal New Model ser no 836 is LGF2toC5 RG C4toD7 The Aeola not the prettiest as the ends are alloy and left end has a period blank where additional buttons may have planned or meant for a different box. The Lachenal has metal ends with bushed white buttons, both boxes have 7 fold bellows

Hello Graham, The only crane that could be for sale is my 80 key Crabb special but I have not set a price on but it will be expensive because Crane duets of this size are as rare as hens teeth.If you wish to think on it have a chat with Geoff Crabb , I think he would give an honest opinion of it. Happy New Year. Mike

Hello Simon ,The best and rarest English is an ebony ended Edeophone 58 key, 6 fold bellows, rivetted action and all fully restored. the volume of sound and the tone of the concertina can be altered by slides covering the unusual fret patterns. I have never seen the like before. Asking price £3000 A Lachenal darkwood treble 5 fold bellows, all sorted £1450 A wheatstone no 34130 rosewood ends 7 fold bellows all fully sorted in a modern square case price £1700 I do have an early George Case with bone buttons ,steel reeds 5fold bellows with original papers, all fully sorted, this is with someone on trial at this time but will be at £1400 I do have a 23000 wheatstone with brass reeds which needs a check over 5 fold bellows the tone would suit a singer. £1500 I hope one of rhese may be of interest. Happy New Year, Mike

I am sorry I don't have any Anglos at the moment and I only have two McCanns both are 72 key models . Both are priced to sell if you are interested. Mike

A sad loss, her band played at our daughter's wedding Ceilidh in the evening at the Lancaster Hotel , what a night! Mike

I have not read all comments but one point is that a good English with brass frames and steel reeds seizes up in temperatures below freezes, this fact that meant playing for the Morris in winter was minimal as I was the first in the warmth of the bar. Mike

A large factor in the thumb strap debate is that the keyboard is at right angles to duet and anglo boxes thus allowing a larger range of notes to be easily accessed while playing. Mike

Hello Stephen, The inlays are definitely mother of pearl, the end boxes are not split in half like a normal Lachenal but more like some cheaper continental made instruments. This means that air losses are much more likely to happen, I have improved this aspect of it but it will never compete against a later built box. One good thing is the inlays on the sides are much larger than your box. I will see if I can get a couple of photos off to you Mike.

Hello Wes,this is a strange one as it is definitely a duet the number is stamped Lachenal & Co PATENT London WC in the right sided front apex, the engraving style is the same so I can only assume it is all original. Mike

Thanks for that Wes the last one is a 72 key new model serial no 836 metal ended with Erinoid buttons.