Stephen Selby

Thanks!

Please would Members recommend me a site for mutual support for people learning to play the piano accordion.

It's a McCann Duet by Lachenal. Lachenal got the right to use McCann's patent, as the inventor was a performer rather than a manufacturer. To decide on a price to ask, you would need to check whether it's in modern pitch and whether it works properly. The exterior looks in ok condition, and the remains of the original gold stamped straps are there, and should be retained.

I have this thing I do with a notepad app (Evernote) on my phone. I have the names of tunes with dots for the first four bars. Without that, when someone just calls out the name of a tune, I could never remember it.

Love it.

I have one. The two mics are very directional. When you connect them to a computer, a combination of key presses turns them into a USB drive and you just move the files as you wish. They only allow you to listen to your recordings in a minimal way directly on the device. You may need some time to find out how to position them to record satisfactorily. I have done a few recordings of groups playing, only to find that some instruments were inaudible. A small recording device with an omnidirectional mic might be better.

In another current discussion, I just noticed this... http://www.concertinamuseum.com/CM00297.htm It seems to say that the square shoes ended with Lachenal's improvements in 1848. Can anyone throw further light on that?

I'm bumping this in case there is any interest. Price reduction to 1,300 pounds sterling.

One of my older concertinas - a William Dove (?) around mid-1850s - has square-ended reed shoes and square-cut valves. All other concertinas I have seen have rounded shoes and valves. Is there a technical reason for the rounding? Rounded valves seem more difficult to make.

Ah, that's great. Thank you very much!

I was looking at this video of Simon Thoumire: When he plays, his fingers seem to be moving horizontally along the 'columns' of buttons. Is this a special technique? Do you have to move the thumb straps for it?

I replaced he valves both sides, adjusted the alignment, and the only thing that worked in the end (problem now solved) was removing the valve for the affected reed altogether.

On an English concertina, one note sounds weak on the pull until I pull harder, then it comes up with a 'snap' to a normal sound. (Recording attached.) What is the cause and the remedy? Valve

Not Altenburg, South Africa right? I was looking at the SA.

I have one. Don't play it much, but occasionally it's been useful. Because the pitch is high, it's a bit breathy.

Bavarian beer festival. Maybe Annfest. Most of the men have traditional pipes.

This is quite funny social commentary. The old biddy outside the door is about to spoil everybody's fun.

Bandoneon reeds are tuned in perfect octaves, except for the highest notes. The instrument is made from very light wood with a big sounding chamber. The left hand (base) side has baffles.

Fair enough. I have a 48 button MacCann from Lachenal dated 1896 available, restored and in modern concert pitch. But the price would be US$1,900. (The date is on a badge on the concertina end showing the date that it was given as a prize.)

I can sell you a Stagi Hayden for US$850 plus cost of shipping from Hong Kong. It was set up by Button Box and sold new in 2010 for US$995. But the case is no longer available. The instrument is in original condition. The Stagi Hayden implementation is not a full one, but it has most of the notes you need. It is still rather stiff to play. Not a great instrument, but ok for a beginner. Discussion here: .

Mr Francis paid 12/6 (twelve shillings and sixpence) in 1905 (around 76 pounds now). Same for the leather box for his concertina. It came in a hexagonal box like a concertina box.

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.)