twisper

SOLD, donation made.

No problem, Robin. I appreciate the positive feedback. That is a lovely little tune, though, and can be phrased in different ways. I am not much of a player in the Irish style though.

I am selling my Stagi W-15-MS which I have had for a few years. Right now it's in great playing condition and tune. When I first obtained it, there were the usual complaints...sticky buttons, some duff notes, etc. I gave it a make-over which included renewing the button retainers, taper-reaming the button holes to smooth and insure easy button travel, replaced the silvery grill 'cloth' with a fabric material, and did a thorough retune and re-set of reeds. I also lowered the button action a bit and enlarged the air button vent. This model features each reed plate being fastened by a screw, rather than waxed in. The instrument is now quite enjoyable to play, has a sweet tone, and has been my travel companion on many trips. . Compression is excellent, has the typical leather covered bellows, all intact, no leaks. Comes with a rather pedestrian, but clean and serviceable hard case. Would be a good instrument for a starter, or a good travel box. I will also offer a limited approval time (TBD), if not satisfied, buyer to pay for return shipping. Asking US$350.00 + shipping. Contact me via PM, and ask for a quote on shipping, or any other questions you may have. I live in the Northwest USA. Donation to the site will be made if sold through this medium.............................................................................................................................................. See photos attached, and sound sample (video link). Reason for selling: I have reached a stage in life where I am compelled to simplify and reduce my herd of instruments significantly. To this end, I have been slowly parting with some melodeons, stringed instruments, and now the Stagi. I also have a very fine hand-made Tedrow that I will retain as my sole concertina. Sound sample here: https://youtu.be/EniUC-BpfdA

Really nice playing, Bruce! That's a great version. Give my regards to Kevin and Laura if you see them! Sorry Bruce.....my brain was not in gear!

Never heard that one before, and I like it! Very nicely played, too. Thanks Jim. I should add this quote from Session.org: .".....It’s starting to become quite a hit around Ireland and rightly so. Pat Crowley composed the tune and recorded it with Johnny McCarthy. He named it after his parents’ pub in Kinsale, Co. Cork." The mustard board also has dots and ABC's.

Here's a little hornpipe called Harp and Shamrock played on my 30 button Stagi anglo

Yes indeed, nothing succeeds like practice!

Very interesting little tune...sort of a ragtime klezmer hornpipe with a touch of polska!

I really enjoyed your playing, tona. Especially your accompaniment, which was lovely. The EC really shines on this tune. As far as staccato or legato is concerned, I think the tune works well either way. The concertina is a relatively simple instrument, and part of the appeal is to see what can be accomplished with it.

Here's a version of Halsway I recorded over a year ago....it's a multi-track with two concertinas, melodeon, and cittern. https://soundcloud.com/for-rest-1/new-halsway1

Here's an unlikely couple, played as a duet on a Tedrow concertina in G/D, and a Castagnari Lilly melodeon in D/G. The tunes are: Newcastle (Playford), and Camptown Races. I confess, I haven't figured out how to streamline the link on this forum as yet...any pointers welcome! https://soundcloud.com/for-rest-1/newcastle-camptown-races Hmmm.....maybe I did figure it out(?)

Sold! Donation made!

As for the Stagi, it has some of the attributes you are seeking. It's laid out much like a single row melodeon, with a partial row of buttons on the right that are reversals, to allow smooth scale runs, organetto style. It has bass and chords on the left. It is small, hexagonal, and the right side is voiced with medium and low reeds. But it's.....a Stagi. Here's a link to a demo: http://youtu.be/2KuuXHPYzcg If you are not set on the hexagonal shape, but just looking for a compact instrument, you might consider the Castagnai Giordy. It is miles ahead in build quality from the Stagi, and so easy to play, even a cow can do it: http://youtu.be/pPy3nROxg20 I think bothof these instruments are presently in production and available via mail-order. As for the Franglo arrangement, I have no firsthand knowledge. Cheers!

Stagi makes an Organetto in the hex shape with an 8 note scale, with 4 reversals on the right, and 4 buttons on the left that produce the tonic, fourth and fifth basses and chords, similar to the ""quattro bassi" organetto. There also was the Bandonika, which was basically a two row melodeon layout tucked into a Chemnitzer-style package. I think this was what Hans was playing in "The Book Thief"

Here's my attempt at this month's theme......two waltzes, La Marianne by Frederic Paris; and the aforementioned tune by Jean-Christolph Lequerre, La Mal Aimable http://youtu.be/aggT6qrs2mE http://youtu.be/80uXH8cVVtU Played on my Stagi 30 button anglo (with a few stumbles)

Hi Don...question: did the finish just suddenly 'turn' that way, or was it that way when you bought it? Most of the Stagi's and Bastari's I have had were finished with nitocellulose lacquer. The frosty finish is usually referred to as "blush", caused by absorbtion of moisture during the finishing process. Although the veneer is frightfully thin on these boxes, there is usually a pretty thick coat of lacquer on top. I would try a small bit of 4/0 steel fur and find an inconspicuous area, give it a rub, and see if that improves the picture.

The silicone fuel line has worked well for me, but there are some caveats...one is to determine the exact length of tubing which will allow for a slight bit of wobble, but will not slide out of position easily on the lever arm. Once found, you must cut all 30 of them exactly the same length ((make a simple jig, if necessary) making sure that your end cuts are square.Then, there's the task of aligning the buttons onto the levers, and aligning the levers to be directly beneath the holes. This allows for the most direct up and down button travel with little if any side-play. I have noticed that some of these have buttons with the bottom tabs bent sightly, presumably to allow the buttons to stand straight, even though they bind when swinging in their arc. I usually un-bend them a bit. I also recommend flaring the hole in the bushing board (underneath the metal end) slightly. Because Stagi/Bastari uses wooden parts that are so soft, a hand-reamer is almost too much. Use a sharpened pencil with a small piece of fine sandpaper wrapped around the tapered tip, and using that as the reamer, taper the hole thru the wooden bushing-board from the bottom up. this gives a pathway for the button that helps prevent binding in the hole. You may have also noticed that many of the factory drilled holes are not clean, and fuzzy with splinters, or mis-aligned. The pencil-sandpaper reaming will true up and clean the holes to help reduce obstruction. Stagis and Bastaris can be reasonably good players, if you wish to take the time to re-engineer and retune them. They are more like a kit than a finished instrument. Best of luck with your project!!

I believe that Mr.Kato conducts some instructional classes in Tokyo. I have observed to many of his videos, some are very simple 'along the row' tunes which seem aimed at beginners just starting out. There is one video where he demonstrates, using a simple melody, the variety of keys available to his 40 button layout, which would be a good jumping off place for anyone wishing to escape the incarceration of the "home keys" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRtySQuQtN4

I too have encountered Yuya's channel. She seems quite musical and has a lovely voice. Her music is interesting. It will be nice to watch her progress, along with other Japanese who seem to be attracted to the concertina.

Just found this on the Youtube listing.......wonderful playing, and very inpirational. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h54ZQlIMwSc

As Alan mentioned above, some older vintage boxes were pitched to "Philharmonic", which was about A450 or so. I have a C/G Jones pitched in that key. After measuring the intervals, the temperament was very close to 1/4 comma meantone. It was just a bit flat from modern C#/G#.

Thanks for bringing Maureen to the group's notice, Jody. She is a treat to listen to. I wonder if she is a member of Concertina.net?

I have had my share of Stagi products over the years, and I must say that I enjoyed the tone of some of them, but only when they were in tune, of course. This may be blasphemy to some. My dislikes involved unreliable button mechanisms, and ergonomics in regard to hand placement.

Hi David...I know what you mean about the breeze! But Mr.Toru makes the best of it. Here's his interesting demonstration of the key possibilitie of a 40 button anglo using "Puff the Magic Dragon": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRtySQuQtN4 Oh, Hi Forrest. I didn't notice it was you. I believe this can only be done by the administration. All you can do is edit a post and delete all its contents, leaving a shell. Aha!.....That explains it.