Irishballadeer

I just want to say, you will not go wrong if Greg J. sells you a refurbished Tina. I recently adopted one of Greg's 62b Wheatstone Maccann Aeolas and could not be happier. Great guy to converse with too. Unfortunately Santa didn't bring me the 81b. I could use the workout after all the Christmas cookies. I must have been naughty. It will take a bit more practicing, but maybe I'll be able to post a few Hymms by next Christmas. Merry Christmas! Irishballadeer

Thanks everyone for your advice. Looks like I need to make a decision.

Certainly giving me more to think about, Thanks.

It was a Geoffrey Lakeman performance on YouTube. Especially the Jim Jones folk song.

I'm a newbie to this site and a duet player want-to-be. My plan is to accompany my vocals while performing Irish Ballads and Pub Songs which are fairly simple tunes. Not traditional Irish music or dance tunes. My voice is baritone but can perform as a tenor when needed. I have been playing with lower end ECs and ACs for about ten years but I was never quite getting the sound I was looking for. After searching concertina music on YouTube I found the sound which I had in my head. The player was performing on a 58k duet. I've now spent the better part of two months researching duet systems and for several reasons (mostly availability) I have settled on the Maccann. I have found two refurbished instruments from a very reputable dealer, who has been more than helpful and patient with me. However, i would like some opinions on whether it is better to start with a smaller instrument like a Wheatstone 46K rosewood ends, metal buttons, steel reeds in concert pitch or a more versatile larger Wheatstone Aeola 67k, metal ends, metal buttons, steel reeds in concert pitch. There is a significant difference in price (no small amount in my world). I'm thinking I might out-grow the 46k fairly quickly especially if I can not play chords to suit my vocals. The third possibility is to wait for another lower priced instrument with 57K or more. But take the chance of missing the long winter months to practice. Unfortunately I live in the "middle of no-where", USA and I would be surprised to find a Duet player to talk to or even a instrument of any quality to try within 500 - 1000 miles so I'll throw it out here for comments. Thanks for any advice