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Everything posted by Greg Jowaisas
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Original valves glued “in reverse”
Greg Jowaisas replied to rcr27's topic in Instrument Construction & Repair
This can be a way to deal with stubborn valve flutter. (I can't tell you why but sometimes it solves the problem!) Many of the Jones anglos I've refurbished used this treatment on a few of their valves. I suspect it could be to address valve flutter or deal with the sometimes "less than ideal" placement of the vents beneath the valves that were too close to the chamber walls. -
Greg Jowaisas email not working.
Greg Jowaisas replied to Notemaker's topic in Instrument Construction & Repair
Yes, the September 19th post has all the current contact info. Lost the 7062 land line and fioptics is the current email. -
Greg Jowaisas email not working.
Greg Jowaisas replied to Notemaker's topic in Instrument Construction & Repair
Still here. Cnet personal message will put you in touch. Email works for most people: gjowaisas (type the @ symbol) fioptics.com (I present it that way to fool the trolling "spiders" and keep the spam to a minimum.) You can also phone: (859) eight zero three 9472 and leave a message. Available repair time is limited and sometime in the future there will be shoulder surgery. But if possible I'm always willing to help. Greg -
Things I check with a sticky button: button/fret work bushing (I burnish with a tapered metal punch.) button arm bushing. The button must be able to move reasonably well on the arm as the angle changes up and down (burnish felt with an awl) Check arm alignment with guide pin hole. Arm must bisect hole when viewed from above. Less critical with a metal button but check guide pin for burrs or guide pin hole for irregularities On Lachenal hook and arms make sure the pivot plate is not excessively worn. (Especially when the arm has a bend or two to clear other buttons) Arm should not be twisted and primarily move up and down. Make sure pad is clearing the inner rim of action box After checking all the above, then, I'll adjust spring pressure if necessary.
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Breathy Notes on 30 button Anglo
Greg Jowaisas replied to Cathasach's topic in Instrument Construction & Repair
"Nothing is wiggling or loose that I can tell. The reeds look correctly adjusted on their blocks. The pan looks firmly sealed all around." I had assumed (incorrectly) that you had a vintage instrument. Those with hybrid instruments and familiar with their construction may offer useful advice. -
Breathy Notes on 30 button Anglo
Greg Jowaisas replied to Cathasach's topic in Instrument Construction & Repair
The symptoms warrant a check of the reed pan support block that the reed pan rests upon. It is glued inside the bellows frame in that corner beneath the G/A and Bb/G# notes. Give it a good wiggle. Sometimes they look firmly attached but move once the concertina is put back together. -
67B Crabb Crane at Barleycorn.. Questions
Greg Jowaisas replied to seanc's topic in General Concertina Discussion
The ICA maintains the original Crane Driver site. You should find this link useful: https://crane.concertina.org/layouts.html -
In my experience dense felt starts out fine but can contribute to pad slap noise down the road. (How much glue used in their construction might be a contributing factor.) I can't tell you how many people have sent me instruments not all that old, suspecting action arm rivet noise, when the primary culprit turned out to be hard pads. (Thankfully much easier to replace pads than squeeze or replace rivets!) Greg
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Still alive and well and repairing, refurbishing concertinas as time allows. You can message me thru concertina.net or call and leave a message: 859) 291-7062 9am to 7pm EST.
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This piccolo Eb/Bb turned up in my neck of the woods. Wasn't sure what I was going to do with it but knew it was a quality instrument, fast as the devil and with a lovely, if high ringing sound. I tuned it and put it in good order and when Noel was in town for camp I showed it to him. He was impressed with the instrument and said it would be perfect to play with Frankie Gavin's 'F' flute. (D fingering for a C/G comes out as 'F' on an Eb/Bb concertina.) We made a deal and needless to say the concertina found a good home.
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In the old wood hex cases there were generally three fabric covered wood blocks to support 50% of the six corners and keep the buttons from being depressed. Not much in the way of mitigating shock to the instrument if the case was dropped. There was also the ever present danger of bellows wear as the instrument was removed and reinserted in the traditional "end up" wooden case. There are horror stories of instruments being "trapped" in perhaps wooden cases that were not the original size as sold with the concertina. Some of the leather Jeffries hexagonal "jug" cases came with the same caveat. The concertina had one safe orientation into the case. if the end in was reversed or the hex orientation rotated a cherished instrument could be difficult to removed and possibly damaged. I will occasionally ship an instrument in a hex case to insure its safe passage but only with a strong suggestion the new owner find a proper case. The old wood hex cases and leather jug cases make excellent "stand alone" mantle displays. Greg
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Wheatstone Factory Photo
Greg Jowaisas replied to Chris Ghent's topic in Instrument Construction & Repair
I believe Bob Tedrow might defy that zero, Mike. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/homewood-musical-instrument-co-homewood -
I have a repair/refurbishment that could possibly use a replacement set of Whetstone Aeola reeds. I'm looking for steel tongues in brass shoes with the reeds in good shape, if possible from an instrument in the 1920s (serial # close to 30,000.) If you have a "rescue" Aeola languishing in the closet with reeds of of this description and you'd like to turn a project that you might not get to into cash, drop me a personal message or email. (leave out the exclamation points): !!gjowaisas@fioptics.com!! Best hopes for a happy and healthy New Year, Greg
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Adding wrist straps can work wonders taking some pressure off the thumbs on the draw. My sympathies. At 70 and fly fishing hard I looked at my right hand and thought, "Wow! Look how developed my thumb muscles are getting!" Nope! Arthritic thumbs! I'm with Wunks as far as short sessions with the concertina, building surrounding muscle strength and playing smart, i.e. employing good technique. There is a topical (Voltarin is one brand containing diclofenac) which you might ask your doctor about. (Sometimes the pros can really help) For a whole day of fishing it allows my thumbs to stay in the game. Greg
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Concertina in an Extreme Environment
Greg Jowaisas replied to Fifer1mr's topic in Instrument Construction & Repair
Letting the concertina acclimate from extreme temps prior to playing could be a concern. I'm thinking about moisture condensing on cold reed tongues and making them vulnerable to eventual rust. Allowing the instrument and its reeds some time to regain room temp is a good idea before pumping air through it. Sounds like you are already considering ways to mitigate temperature shock to any wood parts. Again, the drastic changes to humidity are probably the main concern. Take along a Dave Elliott "Concertina Maintenance Manual" for trouble shooting and a few spares like springs and different sized valves and perhaps a spare pad or two. Proper sized screw driver and small pliers (bent nose are best) + some pva or hide glue will be a big aid. You'll want to be prepared to cope with any minor annoyances during your 5 month sojourn. Good luck and let us all know how it goes. Greg PS. baffles or a way to control the volume of your concertina may win new friends and keep old ones in a confined environment! -
Probably not uncommon in the making but uncommon to survive 150+ years. I have several similar Wheatstones and Lachenals with wood baffles on the workbench or in the project closet. Chris, check for original 1/4 comma mean tone tuning. (Although the shiny spots on your reeds may indicate a retuning) The combination of wood baffles and mean tuning make for a sweet, mellow instrument. Greg
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Never say never. I had the luck to find an "Edeo Anglo" at a backyard auction #33301. (Apparently a few where bought in the Cincinnati, OH area. Grey Larsen found two others!) 40b hook and arm action and a very even sound. The late Cindy Mayti of the Cincinnati Irish band, "Silver Arm" played a 40b New Model anglo which was/is a very nice instrument. FWIW I think New Models are under rated. Very nice Lachenal sound (that says "vintage concertina" to me) and in most cases very good response. with a bit of time and care the hook and arm action can usually be set up for a pleasant playing touch.
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Doug Barr is a forum member and both an excellent Irish Trad player and teacher. He is in your area,
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Squeakers and Whistles
Greg Jowaisas replied to Alan Day's topic in Instrument Construction & Repair
Chamber space was a factor in Robert retaining the novelty sounds on his duet. (Not enough room for desirable lower pitched reed replacements) I have a fancy metal end Lachenal with a "duck call". It consists of a 2 inch long tube which extends into the bellows cavity. Startling and good for a laugh or guffaw. Greg -
Crabb history: Brilliant!! Thanks for sharing.
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Back from another fishing trip. (We have a brood X cicada hatch so a once in 17 year fishing opportunity. Sad to report the local trout response has been less than overwhelming😒) PM sent to Stephen. I have some very patient customers waiting on repairs and I will now try and expedite their repaired and improved instruments' return. Tight lines and bellows, Greg
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These "in case" devices no doubt help. However, I think of these as a "static aid". Each year I usually remind concertina players that playing their instruments in humidity poor environments is in effect drying them from the inside out as the dry air gets pumped through. I like to think a more dynamic approach to helping a concertina through the winter is to actively add humidity to the playing environment. I recommend a small room humidifier in the area where the concertina gets played most often. I've found that while concertinas can adjust to lower humidity over time they seem to prefer 50-60% relative humidity. Your skin and respiratory system might enjoy the increased humidity in the music room as well. Greg
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Alf Edwards ~ The Art of the Concertina
Greg Jowaisas replied to aeolina's topic in General Concertina Discussion
Very nice! Thanks for the heads up. -
Back in action in January (just about filled with scheduled repairs) and scheduling repairs in February. No Christmas pyramid from me this year, but Doug Barr has captured the spirit here: BTW all those instruments in Doug's "tree" passed through my workbench. Merry Christmas and holidays to all who sent concertinas for repair in 2020 and who will send instruments in 2021. Let's keep 'em playing! Greg