Geoffrey Crabb

'A rare Crabb octagonal Anglo 59-button Duet Concertina' An Anglo Duet??? Geoff

Ross, No indication in record but probably B/F#, the most common tuning at the time, anything different e.g. Bb/F, C/G, G/D etc. seems to have been noted in other entries. Geoff.

Made in May 1892. Original price with Mahogany case £2-15-0d. One of only three 31 Button Rosewoods made between 1890-1895. Between those dates, Rosewoods were mainly 20 Button (46 made) or 26 button. (22 made). All the rest (some 300 instruments) apart from one 20B Mahogany were metal topped. The figures quoted should not be used to establish a yearly output. This varied widely depending on what 'other' work was undertaken. Geoff

Based on the illustration and with due regard to the sensitivities of some (apologies) and no regard to the CD content, in the best of British seaside postcard tradition:- 'You can touch but please don't squeeze it' or 'Please don't sit on my winkle' Geoff

Considering it now Paul.

With anything concertina, I have learnt to 'expect the unexpected'. Having received some pictures from Richard, I can confirm that the reeds are fitted radially in the reed pans. It is not unknown for Jeffries to have employed radial reed chambers or even a mixture of radial, semi radial and parallel to accommodate the reeds for a note range within a set physical size of instrument. In fact the amount of effort expended in planning the arrangement and executing the fitting of the reeds in some Duets including Maccann and Crane of Jeffries 'make', amazes even me. The English in question here seems to incorporate a mixture of designs/parts normally attributed to other makers. Here are my thoughts, right or wrong, which should in no way be considered as an estimation of the current worth of this instrument. It is acceptable to consider C Jeffries an assembler as well as a maker. Certainly the woodwork inside and out is reminiscent of some early Lachenal built Wheatstones and the three digit number (116) stamped inside the bellows frames is indicative of a batch number which would be unusual considering the uncertain number of Jeffries English that exist or were actually made. It is possible that the instrument started life as a bone/ivory button, brass reeded, crank action Lach' and, like some past makers and some of today, Jeffries 'upgraded' it by installing bushings, metal buttons, replacement reeds and the action. From the pictures it does appear that the reeds are fitted very close to or slightly proud of the edge of the pan which suggests that the reeds are not original. The levers are of the thick wire type used by Crabb and supplied initially to Jeffries. It would be fairly simple to install a suitably fashioned Jeffries name plate into the existing fretwork. If the reeds were air efficient, a four fold bellows may have been sufficient and not have needed replacement. In conclusion, depending on how the instrument performs when refurbished, I would have no hesitation in referring to it as a 'Jeffries'. Geoff PS I would also draw attention to the probable Wheatstone that has appeared here http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-WHEATSTONE-ROSEWODD-CONCERTINA-/120744197517 Inspection of that metal fretwork indicates that the pattern is the same as on this and similar, although enhanced, on other 'Jeffries' English seen in earlier replies.

First, thank you to Mark and Joan for their efforts in arranging another successful weekend and for their hospitality during my stay. Also, as a spectator, I would like to thank all the musicians and singers for the varied entertainment at the sessions. Well done all. Friday evening session at the Royal............. Always a pleasure to see old friends and aquaintances and to meet new faces although it does take a couple of days to get over the late nights, grub and travel. Geoff

The idea of using an electrical switch to operate a pad or valve which will control airflow to a pair of reeds in a real concertina in place of the usual action arrangement is interesting. So here is my hat and some of my initial thoughts on the matter. Assuming a pad is retained to control airflow, the system would require: 1. A suitable micro-switch to replace each normal button. 2. An associated pad operating device (servo) for each the pad. For speed of operation electro -magnetic servos would be preferable to motor driven types. Closure of pads would probably remain under spring pressure. 3. A source of power would also be required, ideally contained within the instrument if the benefit of portability is to be maintained although a connectable external battery pack could be used. Considering the above points, 1. No problem although some form of spark quench/suppression would have to be provided across the switch contacts to diminish spark erosion and radiated interference. 2. In a 30 button Anglo, 31 servos would be required (inc. wind button). Consideration must be given to the size and weight of these devices and how their accommodation is to be achieved in a standard sized instrument and how the overall weight would be affected. Each servo must be capable of overcoming the force of the pad closing/sealing spring and that capability will decide the physical size, weight and design. Apart from the size, it is conceivable that each servo could weigh up to 30 grms (an ounce). In the example above, this could add a Kilo (2 lbs) to the instrument. Electro-mechanical devices, unless suitably designed or screened, will produce an external magnetic field and any effect on steel reed tongues in close proximity would have to be determined by experiment. 3. If internal battery power is envisaged, the capacity must be such that it meets the current demands of multiple simultaneous servo operation (chord work) and have an acceptable lifespan. Accommodation and weight again must be considered. In conclusion, I believe that, taking into account the above and the costs involved in either making or procuring the additional parts plus the extra construction time costs, the idea may be possible but not viable. The tried and tested direct mechanical linkage between button and pad is still the simplest and most cost effective. Geoff

Crabb standard 55 Button Crane, only one octave overlap. Geoff Edited to add Diagram

Jim, Glad that we were able to meet during a break in your morning dancing session. Geoff

I realise that many of the regular attendees have heard most of my family history so I apologise in advance but hopefully other things may be shown or heard that have not been seen before. Does anyone who will be attending the weekend have access to a projector that will connect to a Laptop and can definitely bring it along. Whether I am clever enough to use it is another matter. Also, if anybody has any other concertina related things that they would like to discuss in public or in private, I will be available all weekend. Sometimes I do get a bit inundated so please do come back to me if you feel that you have been ignored. If it is your first visit, do come and say hello. Geoff

Hope to be there if possible Jim. Geoff

Yes. Phew Geoff

No Problem Nic. Hopefully, in conclusion, can we now safely say that it is a '41 Treble'? Geoff

Previous content removed due to complete revert to gobbledegook following simple edit.??????? Re-reading the Answer to the Question posed on EBay, it appears the instrument is a Transposed Baritone, the lowest note on the right being G below C below mid C. i.e. 1 whole octave lower than a Treble. Geoff

First, to be honest and to avoid confusion, I was not involved in the making of this instrument but I was fully aware of it's construction. At that time, just prior to the first concertina 'revival', there was little demand for new instruments so the business could not support another Crabb family member. Also, to provide sufficient income, what may be called non-conventional instruments appeared, built to customer requirement. From the records and the note frame sizes indicated on the plans for this instrument and it's 'siblings', this instrument appears to be and termed: "41 Button, double reeded, English Treble." To support 'Treble', on the following attached layout it will be seen that the range, G3- F#6, falls within the compass of the standard 48 English Treble. If however, the instrument is pitched a full octave lower then it would be termed: "41 Button, double reeded, English Baritone." If this be the case, the next attachment shows the layout where the range, G2 - F#5 falls within the compass of the standard 48 English Baritone. In this second case I would think that the range would disadvantage anyone wishing to play solo pieces. If neither of the above provide the answer, I will post a relevant Tenor layout. Elsewhere at some time, comment was made that the addition of second reeds did not dramatically increase the ultimate loudness of an instrument. Whilst not in agreement at that time, I think this instrument proves the benefit of double reeding for volume gain. As an aside, Duets which often attract comment regarding left hand heavy chording drowning the right hand, can be overcome to some extent by double reeding on the right side only. Although, a few Crabb instruments have been made like this, the increased physical size of the instrument to accommodate the extra reeds, the additional weight and cost would, I suspect, make these an unattractive proposition today. I do not think I could be persuaded to make a double reeded instrument now. Geoff PS See also my next following comment

F/C. Tenor is too confusing. Geoff

Thats fine. Geoff

Crabb standard English spacing. Should be same as Wheatstone & Lachenal. Button diameter may vary. Geoff

Not in Surrey but see this: http://www.concertin...ndpost&p=115452

Folkways Record FW 8845 Side 1 track 2 Reuban Shaw (Duet) and Wilfred Pearce (Tenor Treble English) together. Recordings compiled by Richard Carlin around 1975. Although the recordings are not of studio quality, 'some' pretty amazing stuff on other tracks. Geoff

Super, as usual. Thanks Geoff

O dear, seems I and my forebears should not be considered 'makers' as none of us have conformed to Catergory 1 or made a fortune, just a living. Geoff

Go to link, then Search 'Concertina Factory' . Should be able to play clip with narration. Interesting that the routing film section is reversed i.e. back to front. Geoff

Just for interest. H Crabb 45 button Anglo - March 1910. Looks familiar. (No Idea why the missing piece of fretwork) Geoff