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lukmanohnz

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Everything posted by lukmanohnz

  1. I have a Concertina Connection Clover in next-to-new condition - probably less than 100 hours total play time on it. You can see a photo of it in this post. I am offering it for sale for the $1900 shipped within the continental US. A couple of instructional books will be included in the sale. Please contact me if you are interested for additional information and photos on request.
  2. I started out on Anglo with a CC Minstrel. I've previously posted pics and some comments about it on other threads in this forum. I've since upgraded to a Clover, but I was well served by the Minstrel for the time I owned it. Having said that, I wish I could have found a used instrument with concertina reeds in that price range rather than a hybrid. I'm still on the hunt...
  3. Hi Pete, McDouglas's suggestion of the Concertina Connection Jackie/Rochelle instruments is probably one of your best bets if your budget is fixed in the $300 range - though you'll need to save $125 more in order to afford a new one - list price is $425. If you are anywhere near a retailer who stocks concertinas in your price range I would encourage you to go and try out a few different makes and models though there are precious few concertinas in this price range. You may want to think about whether your goals and the songs you hope to play will fit on a 20-button Anglo instrument (which are limited to the notes of the C major and G major scales) or if you will want to play songs and keys that would require a more chromatic instrument. The Rochelle is a 30-button instrument so doesn't have the limitation of a 20-button, but with some searching you might be able to find a used 20-button Anglo that plays better than the Rochelle.
  4. Mandolin Cafe might be the best web site on the interwebs (apologies to present company - a strong contender ;-).
  5. Not often enough. I also play guitar, mandolin and bass, and I don't play those often enough either. I need to retire so I can just play music 12 hours a day every day. However I suspect my wife has other plans for my time after I retire....
  6. If by any chance you are able to attend one of Noel Hill's Irish concertina schools you will be thrown in to the deep end of getting off the rows. This was my start of formal learning on the concertina and it was extremely valuable to my efforts on the instrument. https://www.noelhill.com/irish-concertina-school/
  7. I can't help with your specific request, but I just wanted to comment that it fascinates and delights me the lengths to which this community goes to restore and maintain these old instruments!
  8. Glad to learn that it has a new owner, Connie!
  9. I downloaded it and I've spent some time with it already. It's extremely intuitive and can be tailored to any playing level. If you are looking for an iOS app to assist with sight reading study I would highly recommend checking this out. (NFI)
  10. Has anyone tried this intriguing app as an aid to improving sight reading: https://mdecks.com/seemusic.phtml It says it works with 'any instrument' but then lists the instruments that are 'included' in the program and concertina is not listed. I've sent an email to the developer and will share if I get a response. Update - from the developer: ”Yes, it will work with a concertina. The list of instruments is a built in list of instruments according to their transposition key and range, but you can take any instrument with the same transposition and adjust the range manually to fit your needs.”
  11. There seem to be quite a few builders sustaining the art and craft of building quality concertinas across the world. You can look at the web sites of these builders and get some perspective about the build process. It seems to me there are two paths to follow: obtain examples of quality instruments, disassemble them and learn from that how they are constructed. Or apprentice with an experienced builder. One of the manufacturers at one time sold a kit for building your own concertina, but I thought it was discontinued. Here's a link to a retailer that shows the kit: http://hmi.homewood.net/cloverkit/. The same site has some online resources for builders like this one: http://hmi.homewood.net/bellows/ I have often thought it would be fun to build my own musical instrument. I play a variety of fretted stringed instruments in addition to concertina, and in years past have considered building a guitar or mandolin. But then I think about how much time and effort I would need to invest in developing the skills and I always conclude that I would rather invest that time into practicing and playing a quality instrument rather than building many 'clunkers' that would inevitably result until my skills had risen to the level that I was able to build a decent instrument that would satisfy me. The reeds seem to me to be one of the most challenging aspects of building a concertina from scratch. Though soup to nuts the whole thing looks like a lot of work. It would be quite an accomplishment if you manage to climb that mountain of effort and are able to make a quality instrument that satisfies a skilled player!
  12. I never had a traumatic tendon injury the likes of what you've described, Richard, but many years ago during a particularly stressful time in my life and while working long hours for several months at a workstation with poor ergonomics I sustained a quite severe repetitive strain injury. I had bilateral tendonitis at such a level of severity that I lost significant strength and endurance in both forearms and hands and feared I would permanently lose the ability to play guitar (which was and remains a passion of mine). I still have some residual scarring in my forearm tendons from that injury but through much physical therapy, Alexander Technique, cranial work and other traditional and non-traditional treatment modalities I did regain nearly full use of my forearms and hands, and I play music (and work at a computer workstation) pain-free and with full mobility. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Keep your eyes and your spirit focused there, find healers you connect with and trust, and you will play music again. That is a given if music is solidly imbuing your spirit - and even as briefly as I've known you I certainly sense that to be true.
  13. Wow - how wonderful to see your post here, Caitlín. I was quite happy to learn you were offering an online course in Irish concertina. I wish I could subscribe but unfortunately I have abysmal internet service where I live currently. Hopefully someday I'll have decent broadband and will be able to watch videos without constant buffering and sign up for your course. But I wanted to respond and let you know that your self-titled album - and especially the song Heartstrings - is why I took up this instrument. Thank you for making such beautiful music - it's a joy to hear you play.
  14. Hi Gen, 1) The Clover has more refined bellows than the Minstrel. My Minstrel's bellows (and I bought mine new) were fairly stiff and were still 'breaking in' by the time I upgraded to the Clover. The Clover's bellows - even brand new - open and close with less effort than my partially broken in Minstrel's. And just looking at the construction of them it is evident that the Clover's bellows are better made. 2) The metal-capped buttons on the Clover are more comfortable on my fingers than the delrin buttons on the Minstrel. Also, the buttons on the Clover have felted sleeves on both the outer and inner plates of the instrument, so the action of the buttons is better than the Minstrel's - the overall mechanism of the buttons and valves seems to me a noticeable step up in the Clover. 3) Sound-wise, I think they are quite similar since both have accordion reeds. Both instruments seemed to improve their responsiveness with the first week or two of playing. In that respect I hope my new-ish Clover will keep opening up with continued practice and play. The overall difference between Minstrel and Clover isn't dramatic but it's noticeable. I expect that I will upgrade again someday - perhaps to a Wakker. I would need to play one first. I would hope that my next upgrade will be my last. I hope that helps! Michael
  15. I played a Minstrel for several months before upgrading to a Clover. The Minstrel’s buttons are fairly small diameter and my finger tips got slightly tender during long practice sessions at the Noel Hill school earlier this month. I picked up my Clover shortly after returning from the week at Tilimuk. The Clover’s buttons are metal sleeved and somewhat larger diameter. They are noticeably more comfortable than the Minstrel’s. I’m also trying to pay attention to my playing technique and use no more force than necessary to depress the buttons.
  16. Congrats, Patrick! In the immortal words of the late, great Tom Petty, the waiting is the hardest part...
  17. Here she is in all her metal-capped button and Wakker bellows glory...
  18. I’ll post a pic shortly. It look exactly like the Clover photo at CC. Patrick - great news on the Suttner! What will you do with your Morse when the Suttner arrives? If I stick with this, I can tell that I’ll outgrow this Clover eventually. Not sure what my next step will be. And Mike it was great to meet you at Noel’s workshop last week. Keep practicing with that lovely Edgley of yours!
  19. I will be bringing my Minstrel to Smythe's Accordion Shop in Oakland (http://www.smythesaccordioncenter.com) this afternoon to upgrade for a Clover. The Minstrel served me perfectly as a starter and is of much higher quality than a Rochelle (but also ~$1000 more costly when purchased new). It is in very close to the same condition as it was when I purchased it new in March of this year. I will have no financial interest in this instrument once the trade-in is completed at Smythe's so contact them if you are interested. Photos of this instrument are posted here:
  20. Just finished attending this year's Noel Hill school in Newborn OR. Cost depends on whether or not you plan to stay on site or get accommodations off the camp grounds, and if you want to have meals during camp. I stayed with family in nearby Portland (~50 minute drive) and ate lunch with the class each day. Also stayed for dinner two nights during the week, including the evening of Noel's concert (exclusively for students and which was astounding). Total cost was about $550. I got my money's worth and then some.
  21. A member asked me some questions about my new Minstrel, so I thought I would post a few photos of it in case others were interested.
  22. This description of how to open your concertina, clean a reed and reassemble was extremely helpful for me. But if you are in any doubt it might be best to have a qualified repair shop handle it for you. http://www.concertina.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=20230&p=188803
  23. Michael - glad to hear that you are getting on with your Anglo. I think you misunderstood me. I was not suggesting that your new Minstrel is junk. Not at all. I had a look on-line and it seems like a fine box. Rather, I was recalling the many times I have picked up a junker in a shop and although the quality and condition was poor, I could still get music to come out! I took no offense, Jody - I understood that your tongue was planted firmly in cheek.
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