Tarquin Biscuitbox

I was also thinking of changing the reeds on an Elise Duet! I sent an email about this to Concertina Connection and they replied... 'not possible for several reasons: lower reeds are larger and won’t fit, lower reeds are not available, lower reeds need a different airflow value, which requires redesigning airflow patterns....' Regards, William Concertina Connection Inc. Wakker Concertinas Many thanks to William. I'm probably going to buy an Elise as I've read lots of good things about them. I'd just like to know if anyone else has experimented with this idea?

If I bought a concertina with accordion reeds, would I be able to replace them with ones that have a deeper sound? Please let me know your thoughts...

I just want to say a BIG thank you to everyone who answered my question - I've learnt a lot from your answers.

I think it's also historically interesting to try and work out why some instruments became popular (e.g. the Spanish guitar & Anglo concertina) and others are no longer mass produced (e.g. the English guitar & Crane concertina). Was it because there were better alternatives?

Hi Theo. I'd be very interested to know how much the 60 button Crane may cost?

I quite like the layout of the Crane/Triumph - but where can I get one from? There don't seem to be any for sale on the internet. i guess they don't make them anymore.

Hi Maccannic. I think you're right about the Anglo's. I'd like to know why you chose a MacCann Duet over the other systems?

English verses MacCann Duet Concertinas - which do you prefer & why? I'd like to hear from anyone who has played both systems.

Thanks for the info - It's good to know these excellent players are all here. I look forward to chatting with them. After much thinking, I decided on getting an English Concertina. However, this video has got me thinking about getting a MacCann Duet - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7bHlSQGadM

Ok. Check this out. I want to play the same as these guys on YouTube… Will Quale playing ‘Presbyterian Hornpipe’ on a G/D Anglo. Derek the Nutter playing ‘Concertina.wmv’ on a C/G Anglo. But I can only own one concertina. What’s the answer?

I'm originally from Nantwich in Cheshire, though I'm currently working as a teacher in Poland! I enjoy playing traditional music on my mandolin and looked into playing the melodeon. I liked the sound of it, but was blown away by a keyboard that seemed to be completely illogical. I then got onto the idea of learning more about my cultural heritage. If someone had said to me - name a traditional instrument from Wales, Scotland or Ireland, I could. But I didn't know if there was a traditional instrument from England! I decided to ring Hobgoblin Music to ask them this question and they immediately replied - 'The Concertina'. This is what got me interested in this instrument. Please bear in mind that I'm only interested in owning a single concertina (plus my non-musical wife would'nt allow me to own more than one). So... at the moment, I'm thinking that I'd be better off playing an English. Anyway, before I make my decision, a few more questions on the Anglo - If I buy an Anglo and learn to play it, won't it be a problem if I want to play songs in a number of different keys i.e I'll need to own more than one concertina? Am I also right in saying that a G/D concertina would fit in well with the DG melodeon players that do morris music (though I've noticed that the Anglos for sale in The Morris Shop are in C/G)? Just watched a video of a guy called Derek the Nutter making a great job of playing an Anglo C/G - just go into YouTube and type 'concertina.wmv'. Still undecided... Jon.

Ok. If I decided to start with an Anglo for traditional English music, what key would it need to be in - C/G, G/D, D/A, A/E, F/C?

Thank you Daniel - I'll try to do this. Once I've had a play with them, I should know which one to go for.

I think that Patrick is absolutely correct when he said 'I would get to listen to both styles, and pick the one that you would like to emulate.' I've been really inspired by seeing some great English concertina players on You Tube such as Simon Thoumire and one guy called ProfRat, However, I recently saw a video of Will Quale making an excellent job of playing the Presbyterian Hornpipe on an Anglo. This made me unsure of which type to go for. I'm more into folk than classical, so... maybe I should get an Anglo? Patrick was also correct in guessing that I'm from England, though my real name is not Tarquin Biscuitbox - it's just the daftest name I could think of! Wishing you all a good day, Jon.

Excellent - I now understand the differences. I'd like to play traditional English music (medieval, morris, hornpipes & folk) on a concertina, but don't know what type to buy? The English concertina sounds... well, more 'English' and has all the notes. It also seems more straightforward than the Anglo as each button produces one note. The Anglo on the other hand was more popular and I've read that it can have more 'bounce' when played, but may also have missing notes. There are also lots of versions to choose from i.e. C/G, G/D, D/A, A/E, F/C & more! It's really doing my head in trying to work out which one to go for. Please help! Any assistance will be gratefully appreciated.