Stephen Selby

It's a bit pricy, considering that it needs new bellows.

I paid US1,100 for my Rheinische Tonlage ELA bandoneon three years ago. It had been serviced and re-tuned. But it does not go below C in the right hand, so it's not fully Argentinian.

One small point: as others have said, concertinas can be fixed in many ways. But if the long screws (holding the ends to the bellows) have rusted and can't be unscrewed, then you are in for an uphill battle. (Basically, you're screwed.)

Yes. This set is a train wreck. But a good set is useful. I use them myself for cleaning and tuning.

Retuning would be expensive. The one I bought first was in tune with itself but not at modern pitch. I just left it, on the principle that it would be years before I was ready to play work anyone else! Yes, South American bandoneons are tuned a little sharp

Ambro is quoted by those who are top players; but it's a really daunting method for newbies without a teacher at their side. I particularly like Don Benito because within a couple of lessons, you are playing things that you would not mind other people hearing. You need to watch out for another thing: some methods (not Don B ) teach a style that is predominantly pull. To me, that style leads to too much use of the breather lever, which makes for choppy phrasing. Another thing I suggest is to check carefully the tuning. I bought one once which had been accurately re-tuned to 1930s standard pitch, rather than modern European pitch or Argentinian piths (a little bit higher).

Lachenal number 576. Six sides, 6-fold bellows. Flat ends, ebonized. Restored by Chris Algar tuned to modern concert pitch. Excellent internal and external condition. £1,500 plus postage from Hong Kong.

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I see a trigger-style breather button next to the l/h thumb strap. Did Wheatstone do those?

They are scary to learn. Best to think of them in guitar terms, with groups of notes most associated with hand chord positions in 'rosettes' rather than a linear pattern. 'Don Benito' books 1 and 2 by Luciano Jungman are a comforting introduction.

I can't answer directly; but I've got a lot of Lachenal salvage material : buttons, levers, reed shoes/reeds (mostly brass but some steel).

Indeed. Thank you!

Somewhere during the last month I saw an advertisement for an e-book about how to play old-time ad bluegrass fiddle tunes on the concertina. I even downloaded the free sample. Now I can find neither my download nor the advertisement. Can anyone help me?

I think they had plain black straps with parallel edges, impressed with an indented (uncoloured) line about 4mm inside each edge on the outside face. That is from a relatively late model around 1915-1920. They may have varied over time.

Looks great. Remember to cover with a matte paper lacquer.