toothwright

I thought that this Wren-2 starter anglo concertina in C/G - because of its versatility and lightness - would be for me. This seemed, initially, to have been an incorrect assumption - hence the 'For Sale' notice. However I have decided to continue to try and so have withdrawn it from sale.

I am offering my Concertina Connections Rochelle 30 button C/G Anglo concertina for sale (again). It is available elsewhere at £210.00 + postage.(or offers) Concertina.net beginners obviously will have a price advantage if pursued by PM from here. Details, sound samples and images of the instrument can be seen at : http://www.ironscar....helle_Sale.html I will be happy to answer any queries of a non-technical nature (please remember that I'm a tyro in the concertina world). PM if interested, instrument is in Scarborough (a lovely venue for a day-out). NOW SOLD via EBAY

I might well have a go as it sounds straight forward (if the more hidden valves are unlikely to be affected) but, alternatively, the best option might be to just return it to the music shop for attention. Jack was bought new in December 2015 so it should not be doing this - even if it is starter model -wouldn't you say? I'm sure it has always been 'wheezy' on a few notes but with a baritone I found it difficult to tell - my Rolands don't do this! Thank you for the advice.

Having had my moan at 'Jack' I must say that I bought it to see what the button arrangement was like to play, similarly with the Rochelle. I find the instruments challenging..but fascinating too... and in the case of the CC models I like the clean and simple styling. Their sounds are very decent .. even given the odd EC wheeze (which I will now accept, particularly in the light of Geoff's remark about the valves). It is unlikely that I will progress to the quality models (just as ceemonster suggests) but I would not have felt able to satisfy my curiosity about these instruments without the availability of the entry level models. I am glad to have the opportunity for extended trial without financial embarrassment.

Thanks to everyone for such a comprehensive assessment. I can see the arguments concerning lower supply of concertinas coupled with the greater volume of work involved in re-valving etc. for a larger accordion being very good reasons. It is always informative to enquire from experience and I'm grateful for members clarity. From sublime vintage concertina back to my 'Jack' bought new a few months ago. I think this image shows why vintage concertinas are a touch more expensive than these..... The Jack has always showed wheezing on a couple of notes - Oh, I thought, it's a baritone, heavy reeds, just needs playing in. Exasperated, eventually I opened it and found some slightly curled valves. I've marked the worst one.....is it enough to account for the wheeze ?

Having become interested in the concertina only recently (and with a largely accordion background) I have wondered about the reason for the popularity afforded to old concertinas? Why is there such a difference between an old accordion - almost valueless these days and often recommended for the tip on the grounds of cost of restoration - and the much older, and arguably more decrepit, examples of concertina that seem rarely to be discarded. For example this Ranco from the '30's (which plays and sounds decently) has been suggested only as a room decoration not a musical instrument. Does this happen with concertinas too?

See following post, which is this one amended to show the For Sale is back on....

Thanks Wolf for the good wishes...lets hope there isn't a fall at the first fence!

I have appreciated the opinions and advice offered to me by members in this thread. The underlying view seems to be one of too many stools and not enough practice. I find the EC better for me because of it's unisonic nature. The Anglo is more comfortable. The Duet provides yet another keyboard and note range. Current plan, which I believe is sensible in the light of members advice, is :- Drop the Duet idea Shelve my recently acquired (used) Rochelle Concentrate upon my original purchase, the Jack. Thanks to everyone for their patience.

I'm going to have to think about how/whether to approach the conversion of the Jack in the light of (to me) the Duet bombshell. A mangled Jack remains an option though Wolf. I'm such a beginner that I had only heard of, not explored, the strange world of the duet. Since you posted about the Duet, Inventor, I have been given to enthusiastic wondering about whether, as you pointed out, that this might be a better way for me to go than the surgical approach to the Jack....even given the somewhat limited range of the Elise.....as it certainly overcomes the 'holding' difficulty I have with the Jack. So I'm going to continue my investigation into the duet (Elise level only).....the problem is that theoretical experimentation is never ..quite...enough.....and now I understand how collections grow....

As a now elderly life long Stradella bass CBA accordionist (who converted from acoustic to digital + expander almost as soon as that became possible) I have become fascinated with playing both the English and the Anglo concertina. I have been lucky in buying starter instruments - Jack & Rochelle from Concertina Connections - which have decent sounds and a realistic price when you are uncertain about whether the concertina is for you. Two months into the concertina it is evident that the systems are very different from the accordion and require, in this beginners view, a much more knowledgeable approach to music - even to play part A of Shepherds Hey - when compared with producing the equivalent simple tune in an accordion. It is fair to say that I have been helped and educated directly by members and via their many postings but, equally, it is becoming evident that it is unlikely that I will become competent in the way the soundcloud music from members shows to be possible. At present I prefer (to my surprise) my Rochelle and find 'Playing the Anglo Concertina in Bush Music Style' to be great for a beginner. The more academic and esoteric EC is still painful to play - though more natural for me - and I ponder the the possibility of rotating the playing angle though 90 degrees and adding an anglo style strap and bar (guided by the work of Goran Rahm). There is plenty of room on the concertina and not much to damage! I will not forsake the comfort and richness of my accordion sounds for the Concertina or the Northumbrian Pipes but neither will I give up the joy of the undoubted intellectual exercise afforded by these other instruments.

Have to break silence to thank you Wolf for your encouragement..and for your music. John

It has dawned on me that this arrangement, by tying one to this concertina only, is a thoroughly bad idea. Therefore I'm withdrawing into the wainscot and keeping very quiet while trying to learn the EC traditionally.

I have now started to play resting the EC on a small beanbag on my desk and this has reduced the thumb problem. I will try increasing the elevation to 45 and see what happens. WRT the little finger rests, these seem to be in just the right place for me when I hold the concertina in the usual position. As I am completely new to the EC and so do not have normal note positions to unlearn I wondered whether a 90 degree reorientation of the keyboard might work in the case of the Jack/Jackie where there is a lot of space? The image shows the Jack as supplied and I have altered the image to try to show my thoughts.

duplicated the info in the previous post...just can't delete this mistaken post