conband

The following company are able to supply cotton velvet in 18 colours - in metre, half metre or fat quarter (50 x 56 cm). The smallest size would not quite complete a whole box, but I found the Wine colour was identical in every way, colour, feel, appearance, to the fabric lining the Lachenal box I was renovating, and cost just less than £5 including postage. See separate concurrent thread on glues to use, especially advice by Adrian Brown. Ralston Fabrics Unit 11 Hartley Business Park Selborne Road ALTON GU34 3HD 01420 613013 Les Branchett

Unusual keys are not necessarily unusual if there is a brass band connection, as with Salvation Army. Most brass band instruments are pitched in Bflat, eg. cornets, baritones, euphonium, which means they look at a written C, but actually play a Bflat. A few instruments are. pitched in Eflat, tenor horns, and some bases. They look at a written C , and play Eflat. (Forget trombones, they're a slippery lot!) It figures therefore that if playing from written brass band arrangements, which would have been quite common, you need some concertinas sounding Bflat and some in Eflat, Les Branchett

Just to say, it's useful information, as I have a label exactly like that shown on my baritone. Difficult to photograph, as being brass it wears to easily. Les Branchett

Great playing, Wolf. Enjoyed it very much. Deep mid-winter was particularly appreciated. Gustaf Holst's tune "Cranham" was named after the village where he lived, in Midwinter Cottage. I can see the Cranham woods from my balcony, and often I drive through them, but your fine playing has inspired me to do something different. Next time I will take my concertina, stop in the woods, and play some of his tunes. Happy Christmas. Les Branchett

Hi Roger. Phone me on 01452 300163 and I can give you two tried and tested remedies. I can't transfer photos so I ask you to call. Les

A perfectly good ploy I've used it myself, though I prefer the top high D sharp, on the right hand side: 1. Outside row, very last, so I can find it even with my eyes closed 2. It has an enharmonic mate, E flat, on the left hand side, if needed. 3. I never have been able to sing that high so don't really miss it. 4. No lasting damage. Les Branchett

Always looking forward to the next issue. I prefer the printed word! They used to call me old fashioned, but now publishers record that printed books are gaining popularity and E-books are waning. Three cheers for Caxton! Les Branchett

Hi. Your concertina is a Lachenal Anglo model. The diagram next to the word English was their trade mark, it is a depiction of the reeds used to sound the notes. As an Anglo with three rows, it is more versatile. The age could be achieved approximately if you could read the number clearly. Bone buttons were quite usual, guessing a price without visual inspection, inside and out, is not really possible. Though hopefully some Australian player, there are quite a few, may be able to help you further. Tutor books for the Anglo are readily available, and Youtube has many postings. Hope you have a good adventure with it. Les Branchett

On Ebay at the moment Shiresantiques have a Wheatstone incorrectly stated as No., 20877 (should be 20377), but what intrigues me is the keyboard layout. What was the purpose of this most unusual configuration, there is no reference in Horniman why this is non-standard. It knocks me flat, if you'll excuse the pun. Les Branchett

Don't forget improving/creating manual dexterity/ Les Branchett

Hi. Harland and Rollison were circus/music hall performers around 1900, which also coincides with the date of this bold instrument. Thus it probably has a very strident sound. Meant to be seen and heard! Les Branchett

Metal ended Lachenal EC No. 52426 In 1958 from a proverbial junk shop in Reading I purchased my first Concertina. I recall the concertina cost me less than the case my Mother promised to purchase if I bought the instrument. It served me well, and eventually deserved the new bellows subsequently provided. Sadly green eyed envy crept in - that mythical ultimate concertina was on the horizon. 52426 was taken to Crawley in the early in 1980's in the hope of an upgrade (!) The shop was unexpectedly closed, but fortunately a prospective buyer, who I think came from the West Country, arrived at the same time. So as prospective seller and prospective buyer met, a deal was done. Sadly, after 25 years loyal service No. 52426 was callously gone for ever. If you own, or know where No. 52426 might be, please let me know. I may well be interested in a direct purchase or part exchange, adoption, etc. Les. Personal email: squeezy@easy.com

An odd personal preference, I would say. If it were during manufacture, it would be unusual for an SA instrument to give up an E flat for an A, as the A would exist elsewhere. With their preference for Flat keys for the Brass connection it would have made more sense to sacrifice the top F sharp for an A. Don't think A minor, think F major. Thus F and B flat and E flat key would all be well provided for. D major would be sometimes used but not as often as their beloved flats! A minor rarely used. With that logic I come out on the side of "odd personal preference" - but aren't they very useful instruments. Les Branchett

Jake: My experience is that Gardiner Houlgate are very good at getting descriptions wrong. What is worse is if you explain to them they do nothing about it, and it seems they just couldn't care less. Les