mike_s
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Posts posted by mike_s
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I agree with Jim. I have an Edgley as my main player (I’m into concertina about 18 months). I also have an old refurbished 26 button Jones. The Jones has a wonderful tone but is a bit more difficult to play. It seems I am constantly opening it up and tinkering with something while the Edgley, aside from a sometimes sticky valve seems bulletproof. I can definitely play the Edgley faster and it seems more consistent and responsive.
On on another note at Noel Hill’s school this year one of the people in our group had a Rochelle. It was a beast and seemed to me that it really impeded her progress. Just my opinion, YMMV.
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I know you mentioned not wanting to spend more than $1K. I will offer up a different opinion than those above. I started on a Rochelle. It is touted as the best beginner Anglo by many and it may well be. But, I found it to be a miserable instrument-stiff bellows, stiff reeds big and unwieldy. My recommendation would be to try to find a used Clover, Morse, or Edgley. If you don’t over pay and decide concertina isn’t for you, you should be able to sell it for what you paid for it. Or just go for a New Minstrel. I certainly don’t know your circumstances, but you will make faster progress on those and hence more enjoyment. Just my $.02, but then again, what do I know......
Good luck, regardless!
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Just noted in the WWII Bogart movie “Passage to Marseille”, a deck hand playing what looks like an Anglo makes about a ten second appearance.....
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My experience is that he’ll get back to you within approximately 24 hours or so.
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Funny, I also have an Edgley. When I got it (used) I thought it was a Wheatstone as that’s what I’d had before. Then fast forward several months and I found the pull C#. I thought it was kind of odd. I had a lesson some time later and asked about it. My instructor said it was a Jefferies......... Duh! I’m so stupid sometimes. I kind of prefer the Jefferies layout. My 26 button Jones only has the one C#, which kind of cramps my style a little.
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Hi Richard,
I agree that your for sale ad has sort of become a used vs new price debate. Definitely detracting from the matter at hand. It would have been more courteous to start a new thread for said debate. OTOH, hijacking a “normal” thread and veering off on a tangent may be OK if the hi jacker admits their wrong doing and all. Just my $.02.
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Question.......so if you go to a “close to ocean locale” for say a week will that cause a problem?
thanks
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This may have (probably has) been covered before, but I and possibly others may be interested in a re-hash. My concertina has wood listed in Appendix II of the CITES and I would like to travel internationally with it occasionally. I see where a permit can be obtained from US Fish and Wildlife. Also that contact with the country CITES rep where you plan to visit is advised. All well and good.
I am curious as to experiences others have had with regards to traveling with CITES restricted instruments.
Thanks, Mike
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Hi Frank,
My story is a bit odd. I rented a Rochelle for a couple of months and then bought a vintage refurbished Lachenal. A few months later I got discouraged sold the Lachenal and quit. Fast forward 18 months. I bought a used Rochelle to tide me over until I could find something easier to play. Thanks to my sometime teacher (Bruce McCaskey) I found a used Edgley. I’m now about 10 months in and enjoying it a lot. Like you I’m retired so have plenty of time to goof around on various music instruments (I pretty much suck on all of them). One thing I did which was invaluable was to attend the Noel Hill Irish Concertina School. Learned a ton of good stuff. He does three in the US-Eastern, Mid West, and West Coast-highly recommended. Whatever you decide, have a great time with it. Playing music is a great avocation, especially for us old f@#ts!
Mike
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I’m a rank beginner as well. I’m going to recommend a different approach. You can rent a Rochelle (or a Jack/Jackie) from The Button Box. That will give you some perspective. Personally I found the Rochelle to be a miserable starting point and only rented for a couple of months and then got a much easier to play Anglo. As with all instrument acquisitions buy the best you can afford, but only when you’re sure what it is you want to do........ that’s just this hack’s $.02.
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Thanks for the ideas. BTW, my Anglo is a 30 button. I also noted that the version of Angeline the Baker I pulled out was in C. I have always played it in D on mandolin and in jams, so I’ll try it in D. I play some othe other suggested tunes in the keys indicated as well on mandolin too so these will get me a good start.
Thanks again,
Mike
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I’ve read several old threads as to whether it’s appropriate and whatnot to play old time American music on a C/G Anglo. Apparently it’s OK but not the number 1 choice. That being said for those who do play old timey, what would you recommend as an easy first tune to learn? I worked on Angelina Baker (my go to on mandolin) yesterday, but wasn’t particularly happy with the result.
Thanks, Mike
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I’m probably not qualified to weigh in on this, but what the heck. I started playing a couple of years ago on a Rochelle. Shortly thereafter I bought a refurbished Lachenal 30 button. Shortly after that I quit. Less than a year ago I started up again, bought a used Edgley and am plugging away on it. I’ve also briefly played a Carroll (sic?). So my perspective is limited. I preferred the sound of the two with concertina reeds to the hybrid, but the playability of the Edgley is very much better than the Lachenal-for about the same $$$. If it were me, I’d look for a used Edgley, Morse, Clover or Tedrow. The sound - at least to me is not all that different and the ease of play is worth it. Just my $.02
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Well it appears to me that the only thing you all consider taboo is photos of your tattoos. Lets see some photos people!
Thanks
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4 hours ago, lukmanohnz said:
The only one I own....
Me too!
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Duct tape! Just kidding-kind of......
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1 hour ago, Rich C R said:
Facebook! A number of forums for my other hobby have either shut down or membership and activity has decreased dramatically due to members switching to Facebook. A sorry state indeed. Maybe I am the odd one out but I fail to see the attraction. I found Facebook to be really annoying so I don't bother with it. I'll stay old fashioned and happy.
Hopefully the Heroes will return...…..
Agreed! Seems that Mandolin Cafe, Acoustic Guitar Forum and Scubaboard Forum among others are still quite robust too.
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I am also fairly new (Anglo). I try to play daily for about an hour or so. Working on a bunch of tunes; just started a new one yesterday. Play with a metronome when needed. Occasionally I go to a slow tune learning session which I hope to become a regular at soon.
Mike
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Early in the movie North to Alaska, Fabian carries a 20 button Anglo into a saloon. Only some very brief playing, but it does make an appearance.
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This is great stuff and was what I was hoping for. I guess I was also in hope that those of you who give lessons would weigh in on why some of your students may have decided to stop playing. I suspect there is no pattern, but still interesting. I realize most of us here are “active” players and those who have quit most likely are not active on the forum.
Thanks!
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I know that this is a stupid question (yes I believe there are stupid questions). I really don’t have a frame of reference on this as other than those I met at NHICS and my sometime instructor I don’t know anyone who plays concertina. I also realize we are a tiny segment of the music playing population. The only person I know who played thought it was too difficult and took up melodian instead. I started a couple of years ago and quit for no good reason after a few months of playing. Started up again several months ago and now play it more than the other instruments (all string). Another of my fellow students at the “School” who was way more enthusiastic than I was has now quit. So.......
I know many of you probably know people who have started only to quit-why? This question came to mind as I see people sell concertinas in the Buy/Sell sub forum. It gave my curiosity a nudge. I know lots of people give up due to physical ailments. People often take up guitar thinking it will be easy only to quit in disgust.
There probably isn’t any trend or common reason, but I’d love to hear them.
Thanks, Mike
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Michael,
If you try it out, let us know what you think of it.
Thanks!
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I was not going to reply here but.......... This topic has been discussed frequently on the Mandolin Cafe. For stringed instruments it’s a bit different but humidity is an issue for all instruments. I live in the “high desert”. Humidity in our house averages around 38%. All instruments are kept in a small room with the door closed. Here’s what I recommend
-buy a hygrometer and get a feel for the humidity where ever you keep your concertina
-if below your desired level buy a room humidifier-you can also have one attached to your furnace (forced air) which can be set for a desired level and humidity the whole house.
-if you expect to be away for a period of time turn down the heat and put a case humidifier in the case too
I had not considered what Greg J said above, but that makes perfect sense to me. And high humidity is equally a problem too so the opposite may need to be done. Just my $.02
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Interesting thread. I guess I must have different skin, technique or something. I am fairly new to the instrument (Anglo), but find the delrin buttons to be just fine. Not slippery to me. So, I guess I am a dissenter. ?
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Safest way to sell an instrument unline
in Buy & Sell
Posted
Others may have different takes on this, but my experience is to advertise on whatever web site relates to the instrument in question. For example this site if I’m selling a concertina, Mandolin Cafe if I’m selling a Mandolin, etc. I always specify and require the use of PayPal and never ship until I’ve received the payment. I have sold many instruments in this manner and never had an issue. Of course YMMV. Good luck with it!