malcolm clapp

http://www.horniman.info/DKNSARC/SD03/PAGES/D3P0910L.HTM

Post regarding Lt Ninnis of the Mawson expedition deleted by request

Well, if they are the colour of steel, maybe they are.... 😔 Some years back, I had some one assure me that the reed shoes in the Lachenal he was selling were steel; he sent me a photo, from which I assumed he had mistaken steel for aluminium by the colour, (as used by some makers to reduce weight.) However, when the concertina arrived, sure enough they were steel and looked very original. Never struck them before or since. Nothing's impossible.... 🙃

Chris, I can see nothing to persuade me that the 20 key in question is anything but a Louis Lachenal. However, a slightly off-topic question regarding your other Lachenal. You mention the action "on the 30 they are through rectangular flat steel posts". I've never seen original posts on a 30 key Lachenal made from anything but brass. Just curious.....

Hi Rache, I rather suspect that the CITES regulations may put off prospective buyers living outside of France, rosewood being one of the materials from which your lovely concertina is made. If you are not aware of the situation, type CITES in the search box at top right of this page, or Google it. I believe that some recent changes may have been made, but rosewood has become a bit of a dirty word, up there with ivory. An auctioneer friend has told me that items made from rosewood are not attracting bids at auction, and former sales values are not being met. Sorry, I have no solution to offer....but wish you good luck.

Hi Fanie, The C row is more usually Left: C1/G1, G1/B1, C2/D2, E2/F2, G2/A2 Right: C3/B2, E3/D3, G3/F3, C4/A3, E4/B3 Your G row is basically as standard, though sometimes Left: B1/A1, D2/F#2, G2/A2, B2/C3, D3/E3 and/or Right: G3/F#3, B3/A3, D4/C4, G4/E4, F4/F#4 (differences in bold) I've retained your number system; however you might have read elsewhere recently https://www.concertina.net/forums/index.php?/topic/24290-chart-showing-c-c-a-etc/ there are a number of differing numbering systems used to denote pitch. Don't know what Harmonikas.cz uses, but maybe some one who has had dealings with this company may like to comment. Hope this helps.... Good luck!

In response to a couple of recent inquiries, I have today posted on my Soundcloud page https://soundcloud.com/klappo a number of recordings I made back in 1984 of talented Crane/Triumph player Polly Garland, who sadly passed away at the end of last year. (Just ignore my melodeon stuff 😎 ). Perhaps Daniel or Alan might like to add a link or two to the Duet Recordings Page if any of the tracks are likely to be of interest to members here. Thanks.

So we're banned from South Australia. (Next verse, anyone?)

Fast forward 11 years or more.... An interesting (?) photo of a middle aged Evangeline Booth currently on eBay, item #333983774364, though holding not a concertina, but a football. (Not directly concertina related, so admin please feel free to edit/delete as you think fit....)

Magic. Thanks for posting, Stephen.

No one seems to have addressed this. I would be more concerned about that issue than the need for a reedplate to be flipped. The latter problem is likely to be a simple fix for an accordion repairer, and should probably cost you little more than the price of a beer, if charged at all. (When my workshop was open, I'd probably have done it as a goodwill gesture.) The tuning question though could be more complex, and might justify a return to the retailer, but although they would probably fix it, who pays the shipping cost and import fees could be an issue. Of course, McNeela may well say to get it fixed locally and send them the bill, but you would need to talk to them before deciding what course of action to take. My 10c worth..... Good luck.

Steve Turner recorded this on his 1979 album Out Stack. Not sure whether or not he used his English concertina for accompaniment. Can't lay my hands on the LP right now....

Sounds more like a radio soap, John. "The Dippers, an everyday story of concertina folk". Dump-de-dump-de-dump-de-da....

A Starry Night for a Ramble is popular tune amongst concertina players in Oz, but invariably played as a waltz.

Ciaran, I hope that the business name Barleycorn doesn't trigger alarm bells as being in any way connected to the liquor trade, and consequently special attention (or incorrect taxation rates) given to your shipments. You need to be careful about just what information goes on Customs documents. and can be misconstrued, especially so if another language is involved.

Not really just memory, Howard. Like I said, I have the recording. While you were credited for Battle of the Somme, I just guessed that the uncredited ear-player's medley was yours.... 😀

I remember it well, Howard. (iirc, Michael Turner's Waltz/Old Molly Oxford/Glorishears). Almost, but not quite the same criticism was made of my own "Ear Player's" entry; I dutifully supplied them with a copy of the dots, but was criticised for not looking (even once) at my copy which was sitting on the music stand while I played. Mind you, it was upside down.... I have a copy of a recording that was made of "highlights" of that years competition, which I dug out and played earlier today. Greatly enjoyed your rendition of The Battle of the Somme. Your description of the playing and style of many of the participants is pretty accurate. However it was good to recall the likes of those no longer with us such as Tom Dukes, Charles Jeffrey, Harry Dunn, Tom Prince, John Hutcherson etc. who contributed greatly in keeping the concertina flame smouldering (if not blazing) during the lean years, and I was glad to have had the opportunity to meet and talk to them. Slightly off topic, but sad to report that duet player Polly Mason (later Garland) who also played at that year's competition, passed away late last year here in Australia. A talented multi-instrumentalist, her enthusiastic love of, and ability with the concertina will be long remembered by those who knew her. RIP, Polly.

Memorial to Frederick William Hobart, died 1927, and his widow Frances Sophia Hobart (nee Watts) d. 1941 This photo is on the ICA Facebook site, which I have attached here without permission; happy to remove if requested. I know little about them, nor which of them may have played concertina. IIRC from previous (pre-www)research attempts, they lived in London, and the grave is also somewhere in London. Hopefully some one can expand on this.

OP does say it's a 48 button, and afaik there aren't too many Lachenal 48 button anglos around, so I would suggest the first number has probably been misread, or a typo. A very interesting and informative thread.

Sounds awfully like a harmonica to me....

Nice clip, Arkwright. Fairly definitive article from Concertina Journal here.

I have a C Jeffries Bb/F 38, a dead ringer for yours, Les, though restored by a different fettler before I bought it. I do find the narrow buttons a little uncomfortable, but the sound and speed is worth a bit of pain :-) I've been tempted to sell it for a while as I'm not playing out much any more, but every time I pick it up for 10 minutes, a couple of hours fly by, probably causing the sore finger tips. I have played a few 46 key Jeffries over the years, and, from memory, the buttons are even narrower. Ouch! No thanks! Great video and I'm sure it will be useful to prospective owners considering joining the "Jeffries club"....

Having had a quick look through the Wheatstone ledgers of the relevant period, I note that 76 keys was a pretty unusual number. Assuming that the number in the newspaper article was correct, and allowing for the fact that my troll through the ledgers was only very brief, two consecutive entries stood out for me, being #28687 and #28688 from January 1921, noted as NP Octo Bass. So a five and a half octave range going very low indeed. (My thumbs ache at the very thought of it!)

According to a press item I've read, their main instruments were 76 key, which might make identification from the ledgers a little easier if they were a matching pair. They toured extensively, playing theatres throughout Australia, New Zealand and South Africa from around 1918 till 1929, so early in that period, or a little earlier, might be my best guess at build date. John and Colin Campbell, originally from Scotland, New Zealand, of Scottish heritage, also played a pair of miniatures, ocarinas, and also did a song and dance routine, and were a popular act. Their musical partnership broke up in 1929 after 12 years of working together. John got involved in the NZ film industry, while Colin worked for RKO in Sydney for some years afterwards, prior to returning to New Zealand. There was a famous(?) New Zealand band leader by that name, active around Christchurch during the WW2 years, but I haven't been able to confirm whether this was the same man. (Colin Campbell is quite a common name wherever Scots are found). Too late tonight, but will do a little more research tomorrow....

Are you sure it's an English system, Jim? Seems a bit high; afaik, their numbering for English stopped in the mid 6**** region, c1932. So either it is an anglo rather than an English, or you have misread the first digit (easily done as clarity wasn't always their strong point ? ) While you have it apart, maybe check for a different number inside....