Mike Acott

Hello, as I said the possible identity is a 4 digit serial number ( if this starts with an 8 then the maker is either John crabb or his son Henry) . A large number of boxes stamped as C Jeffries were made by the crabb family makers.

If it is of interest i have had a39key C Jeffries anglothat when undergoing an overhaulI removed the air valve pad and there stamped in the seat of the pad was j crabb maker( in a place thst Jeffries would not have seen. There is proof out there that Crabbsmade a very large number of anglos bearing the name of C Jeffries. If you take an end off ,remove the reed pan and find afour digit number starting with 8---- the concertina is a Crabb. Mike

Hello , If you check with Geoff Crabb, he can confirm that the family made piano keyboard duets, I have owned one which had 56 keys but it was bought by a French player. Mike

The sad thing is I do still play this box(at home) so it is not going anywhere at this time and I don't know of any one who would make one for a sane price. Best regards. Mike

I have had a query about the range on my 80 key Crane, the left hand goes down to C 2 and th right hand end goes up to C 7. Mail me if you want any more information. Regards. Mike Acott

Nigel, thanks for the update,may I ask what area of playing are you interested in .If you want ro go the ITM scene then a C/G may be better,I have a John Crabb 31 key fully restored with new 7 fold bellows ith papers and the period gold tooling in C/G if that is a possible area of interest. If you want some plcs let me know. regards. Mike

Hello Nigel, thanks for the reply, I fully understand your price, I learnt my tecniques from Steve Dickinson decades ago and I try to get ciose to his level of expertise,From the photos Iwould look yo do things my way hencemynot offering your asking price. If you have any change of heart then pleasemail me . Best regards. Mike

Hello, If you decide to part with the box please mail me with the price as I could be very interested. Regards. Mike Acott

Hello ,Some years ago I had a 50key piano keyboard duet made by Crabb, I am certain that Geoff Crabb will remember. I sold it to a French bandonion player who used it to travel regularly between Paris and the USA as his bandonion was to big for cabin luggage. Mike

Hello , Let me have your name and postal address and I will send some Lachenal anglo buttons ; please let me have the diameter to ensure the right size. Regards. Mike Acott

Hello, the difference with the tortoiseshell Aeolas is the tone between brass frames and aluminiumones , the brass frames being slightly more strident and the brass framed boxes sre heavier. Regards. Mike. PS I see someone has a 80 key crabb mine hasthe chevron button layoutwhich suits me, do find my Aeola button layout does tend to some odd notes!

I sold a 20 key anglo bass that went down to C1 , the bottom reed was a harmonium reed from a maker in Paris. When starting to play the box vibrated before you actuallyheard the note! I have never seen a concertina to go that low and still be playable and then only at a pedestrian speed. Mike

Bill, try raising the knap on the chamois leather and then refitting the ends , it may be all that is needed. Mike

Hello Simon, What period label do you look for ,I have a few from the 1847_1880 period and some from 1880 onwards. If one of fit the bill I will need your address, the item is FOC. Mike