papawemba

I don't completely agree if you buy it on the Internet...You don't get to test the concertina or hear what it sound like. Barleycorn (as example) refuse to give any description of sound because of subjectivity...I can understand but still... From an individual seller, you can ask for a video: You can see if the push/pull is effortless and have an idea of sound ! But yes from a known dealer, you are sure about the quality but not that you will like the instrument ! But I would never buy an expensive instrument without trying it anyway 😉 I can't believe those buying a 6000eur Jeffries without trying it ! Nicolas

For sale, a great 20b C/G Rosewood Lachenal. Numbered 64420 or 164420 (?), heard it was a good period... Great condition, having been refurbished in September 2021 (by By Greg Jowaisas) with new pads, valves, hand straps, and have been tuned to modern concert pitch. Bellows is nicely air tied. Wooden box in good shape. 5 folds black bellow, I would say great to play Irish tunes keeping bellow tight. Great for beginner. It has a lovely Lachenal sound, plays well (as far as my experience goes). Looking for 650 550 euros + shipping (from Belgium). A video:

-> Christmas sale, letting it go for 2500 euros (around 2800$, price new is 4000$)

Ha ha I added my location after reading your post 😉

Thank you JimR, Living in Belgium, ordering from a shop outside EU is not an options because of HUGE import taxes and vat...sad 😕 (There are possible solutions if bought from a person 😉 ) I don't want to pay a used Minstrel for the price of a new ! Best

Hello everyone, I am looking to buy a used Minstrel anglo concertina in C/G, proposition welcome 🙂 I have feeling this one will fit my need ratio money/quality/time I have to play. All the best Nicolas

I removed my initial video because it was poor recording with basic micro and didn't do justice. Check sound file with better recording tools on Kensington site : http://www.kensingtonconcertinas.com/sound-files/ All the best

The Duckling seem like a nice bet for beginner concertina (but waiting might be too long). I would skip the Wren. Also check out Rochelle 2 ! And welcome in one of the most expensive instruments world lol Nicolas

Congratulations ! It was sold pretty fast 🙂

New video : Best

Hello everyone, I bought the non-listed 20b Lachenal from Don and I am very happy with it ! I quite hesitated with that green 5 bellows one (now sold I believe) but I just prefer black bellows ha ha Don is friendly, patient and communication was very good. Great to deal with 🙂 All the best

Hello, I asked them a few months ago... Here is the answer : "Going back 7 years we used brass reeds in our Clare concertina but gave up after a while because of the weight of oversized reeds. We now have a maker of reeds to make reeds to our Spec and size is similar to the higher end Concertina reeds. Only thing is they are still accordion double sided reeds and they do have a higher pitch but you could not compare with the Vintage (model) etc.". I also asked about the sound (if mellower and all...) but didn't anser that (or I asked for a sound sample but he didn't have any). Modern brass reeds is intriguing ! I would love to hear one. Hope it helps, Nicolas

Sorry Gentry, I didn't read it all...So lucky you’re moving to Ireland 🙂 I am sure you will have lots of resource there to learn concertina ! (not like in Belgium ha ha) Eventually check The Irish concertina site meanwhile, they have ongoing second hand concertina : https://www.irishconcertinacompany.com/our-preowned-concertinas All the best

Don't forget that "free case" = you are paying for it 😉 It is just a way to put thing. I would go with no hesitation for the Rochelle 2. If you have a problem with the Wren in the future, you have to send it back all the way to Ireland ! Also selling a concertina is losing money, sometime a lot, specially if you buy it new. Rochelle 2 is only 150$ more, save up just a little ! You will have a great beginner concertina with 5 years warranty (and from your country). But yes it is Wheatstone layout, not the very best for Irish but still very good. Check out Frank Edgley book "The Anglo Concertina: Handbook of Tunes and Methods for Irish Traditional Music", I believe it is written for Wheatstone layout. Good luck !

Trade with the Clover or the Clare also considered, trading = losing less money

Buy a vintage 20b at Barleycorn ! He will be super happy. Good luck !

Hello Caroline, I am also used to guitar tab 🙂 For the fun of it, I tabbed it out but with my own system ha ha I am not familiar with this tune so... Basic explanation: L and R for left and right side of concertina. 1 to 5 for each button, 1 being on the top (most used). 4 and 5 are not used a lot, mainly for accompaniment on the left side. But the F# on the left (G row 4th button is used a lot 😉 ' for middle row and " for accidental row. If underline, it is a pull, else a push. With this system, we see a bunch of 1,2,3 (I find it easier than 10,14...) and directly see which hand works... It works well for me. Hope it can be some help. Best Hedwig theme.pdf

Great playing !!! wow (and Mike) Don't forget to achieve this on the duet, both hands will work independently...(looooots of practice). On the English and Anglo, they mostly work together (of course it's possible to complicate thing ;-)) There is an smartphone app for the english concertina, try it to see if it feels natural for you (it didn't to me ha ha).

To play Bach, choose the Swan 🙂 Probably with Wheatstone layout... Faster than a budget Lachenal, modern sound. But yes a English concertina seem more appropriate or a duet, check this : Nicolas

Hello ! If the choice is only between Swan or Lachenal, I would pick a Lachenal because it holds is value, richer and sweeter sound, a pleasure to play and not made in China. 30b are much more expensive than 20b...(mainly because supply and demand !!). So I would take a 20b to learn on and you will have a better idea of what to look for on the second 30b Lachenal (or other). If you choose a Swan, buy it second hand ! Nicolas

Hello, I heard the Minstrel and the Clover have the same reeds, is that right !? Pretty strange because I don’t really like how sound the Minstrel (personal opinion of course) but I do like the sound of the Clover…strange !! Is that due to the inside built ? And so CooperSue, how do you like the Clover ? Thank you for any help ! 😊

Hello everyone, So you bought that special Jeffries or Carroll or (?) and wondering if you want to sell your Clover with Jeffries layout ? Please contact me, I'll be happy to buy it. Cheers ! Nicolas

Thank you Wolf ! It’s been a while ! I do like it a lot !! 😊 It is just my mind is spinning so much…like: I have also lots of pleasure with the Morse, then why keeping a more expensive concertina like the Kensington ha ha. I am also selling 2 concertinas, I might keep the one standing ! Or continue my search. Maybe I will have as much pleasure with a “cheaper” one like the Clover. The advantage with the Clover is that Harry Geuns here in Belgium might do something here in Belgium as he is working with concertina connection. Same with Suttner and 7Mount, it is next door country ! So very easy in case of problem in the future… Well anyway, maybe I am thinking too much or I just like to try out all those awesome concertina 😊 Sorry to hear that rough times in your personal life, hope everything will get better !! happy if my video could sheers up a little 😉 I am now listening to your soundcloud channel, great tunes and playing there ! Really like Sadler’s Wells. And Rose Of Raby, great rendition !! Ha ha maybe I will start EC too. Best

Hello everyone, ==> Sold on facebook group. Selling a beautiful anglo concertina Kensington 30b in C/G, Jeffries Layout. It is number 61. A modern handmade anglo with true concertina reeds (also handmade). Vintage sound in modern built. Loud, fast player, Warm sound. With original box. I really liked it but it’s just too good for my needs...I had my eyes bigger than devotion I can give 😉 I removed my initial video because it was poor recording with basic micro and didn't do justice. Check sound file with better recording tools on Kensington site : http://www.kensingtonconcertinas.com/sound-files/ I am in Belgium, looking for 2900 2500 euros. All the best

I love it, thank you ! This is one I need to learn 🙂