papawemba

Thank you RP3 for the clarification ! (Personally I am not looking for a Dippers concertina ).

Can't help but I have the same question :-) If I buy a cheap concertina like the Elise (duet) from connection, will I be able to change reeds to a better quality reeds ? And where to find them :-) What concertina do you imply ?

That is crazy !! Apparently it was sold for $6,495.95, with no description except this "One of the reeds came loose inside and needs to be opened and reattached.". It's true that I don't really know the value of "dipper" …What justify that price !?

Hey TimTim....I already ordered the Elise, I can't wait !!! (about 6 weeks to get here grrr). In Concertina range, this seem the perfect instrument for me. Unfortunately, I don't have much time to learn a new instrument and the Hayden layout is very intuitive and easy (same shape of chords fingering all around the 2 side !! Never heard of this isomorphic layout before). I can easily see myself playing around some simple "medievalesque" melody with a drone note :-) The video above is just awesome, I get back to it a lot ! Yes I did some research and find out exactly there are no middle range for the duet...but that's ok because concertina is kind of my second instrument and won't have time to invest a lot ! Agree with the app, that was a little tease ;-) But still I don’t' like the continuous exchange between left/right side...I find that stressful lol. Eventually we can meet so you can try the Elise to make up your mind ;-) Nicolas

Yes huge gap between those 2 ! (I can easily imagine lol) Choice of tune by Edel Fox on OIAM are very good taste I think. Have fun !

Hello Gorwel, Here is my opinion on the Wren 2. Keep in mind that I am a beginner and my only reference is 20 buttons Lachenal (for 3 weeks). I can already say that comparing the Wren 2 and Lachenal would not be fair. Should be compared to a similar concertina like the Rochelle... From the outside, nothing special (probably like the Rochelle). Leather strap look kind of cheap but can easily be replace if necessary. Size is good as you can see on the video (not huge) and not too heavy, again this the first 30 buttons in my hand so I can’t compare J Buttons seem of good "quality" and I think won't stick like we often hear for Hohner concertina. I heard a small click sound but nothing special or disturbing. Below is kind of stiff but probably because it is brand new. It has better air volume than my Lachenal: For the same tune, I reach the extremity with my Lachenal and was good with the Wren 2. Sound is more synthetic than Lachenal, again it is brand new so I think reeds will soften with time. It is louder than my Lachenal which was a good point. My lachenal sounded pretty shy after...(So I tend to go back to the Wren :-) Middle range note sound quite good and with an acceptable response/sensitivity. I (really) didn't like the lower note, and you need to push the button all the way to hear something. But beginner tune mostly play in middle range. I never use higher note (my ears !) so I can't really tell. Overall, I think this concertina is not junk (like Chinese stuff, again but reading internet, not really my opinion) but is not as good as my expectation (coming from Lachenal). It as a 3 years warranty which is a strong point and probably a gage of solidity. The Wren does not have many concurrent so I would say at this price for a very first concertina, this should do it ! The most important aspect for me is the sound and sensitivity. Since I already have a Lachenal at home...I'll stick to it the warm tone and good sensitivity. Hope that help !

So I am not interested in Rochelle anymore !

Thanks TimTim ! I already have an Anglo Lachenal 20 buttons which I really enjoy J I can’t afford a 30 buttons so I was looking for the Rochelle…This week end, I discovered on internet the Elise duet Hayden concertina, I have to say I am completely attract to it lol (even just to learn this tune ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djQCJqOSA-U). Yes I already subscribe to OIAM, nice tune there ! (for anglo). For the Jackie, I didn’t consider it… I have an app called “Englitina” on my smartphone, great app which is a virtual English concertina . After a few try, I had severe headache J Could not find the note for an easy tune and even when I got it down (with many mistakes), my brain completely forgot it in next try J So not intuitive to me. Best

Thank TimTim ! I also live in Brussel ;-) That is great news, I can't believe google never showed me Harry Geuns site !!?? This is indeed great news, I will certainly buy it there.

Hello, I like to buy a used Rochelle concertina (in good condition of course ). I live in Europe (Belgium) so I prefer a seller from Europe, cheaper postage... Thank you ! Nicolas

As I read on the internet, Rochelle is probably a sure buy for beginner. I am myself a complete beginner (max 3 weeks) ! I found a nice Lachenal 20 button and decide to go for it (better resale value in case I am not sure about concertina). I like it so much that I decide lastweek to order the Wren 2 (30 buttons) as a second concertina …I’ll probably receive it this week and I let you know what I think if you haven’t decided yet ;-) Best

This topic can be closed, not searching for it anymore...But I can't delete this thread

Hello, I am really interested in this DVD, price is high but I don't mind if the teaching and information is valuable for me Unfortunately, I don't find many information...help ! :-) Reading this thread, I know now there are some embellishment which is what I am looking for. But I am curious about the tunes, can anyone provide the list of tune in that DVD ? Thank you for your help !

Hello cryptastix ! I wonder did you get the book at the end ? If yes, do you like it ? Thank you ! Nicolas

I finally had time to try it What a great instrument !!! I am already addict. I really like the small size/loudness ratio. With a warm sound coming out, a real pleasure. I can see how higher model can improve the thing, but I am very happy with this student model. Comparing to diatonic accordion (which I tried), I think concertina is somehow more expressive. I have a booklet written by a French diatonic accordion player (in French only) named Gilles Poutoux. He decide to not use the left Chord bass button anymore because you need to fit the right hand melody to the bass rhythm and this kind of kill the expression you can inject (like “uneven” playing, short/long/…). I though he was 100% right. And concertina bring just that ! I love it. I confess I did try a simple waltz rhythm on left hand and melody on right hand…that sound great on concertina, very “cute” Nice to eventually do both. I had a Castagnary Giordy once which sound close to a concertina but I much prefer this warm sounding Lachenal. I did try some beginner Irish tune (Maggie in the woods and Sporting paddy), a great enjoyment Can’t wait to learn it by heart, I just don’t have much time For my next step, I’ll probably go with "Frank Edgley’s How to Play the Anglo Concertina" DVD which I heard was a very good resource for beginner. @ Phil: Thank you, I agree with you ! What is Le voyageur ? Nicolas

Thank you Don ! Reading your post, I can't wait to put my hand on it even more. Unfortunately, I am going on holiday now so I'll have to wait a little longer...patience patience. best

Mikefule, very sorry about that. I have to confess, I really laughed reading this Of course this was not done on purpose. I can easily imagine you worked hard to get there ! I can never imagine getting to that level (I know from experience with a diatonic accordion, it quickly become very hard...). I see that the concertina in your video has 5 folds, so it is possible to work out complex tune out of it (probably a good push/pull managment ). I guess slow air gets much harder. Nicolas

Yes you are 100% right, it is bone and not Ivory. My mistake ! Sorry about that. I will edit my post. And I am happy it is not Ivory !!!

Thank you everyone for your help ! It comfort me in my choice and I'll probably let you know what I think after a few try... Unfortunately I don't have much time (full day job and second job with children at home), but I really want to learn it (I'll go for OIAM to learn first tune with charming Edel Fox ;-) Yes I see what you mean Heavyweight Boxer ! Same thing for guitar, a "trashy" guitar can play wonderful blues ! Each guitar gives a different feeling and offer a different style of playing...I guess it is the same with Concertina, except much more $$$ for a collection ;-) Good advice learning the scale ! I'll check the Teaching and learning forum to find a good source (let me know if you got one ;-) Wow you can play very well !! Complex tune !! Bravo :-) I see that I have years and years of learning curve with a 20 buttons :-) Nicolas

Thanks a lot Heavyweight Boxer ! I couldn't stand the pressure to lose this one opportunity to buy a restored Lachenal so I decide to go for it :-) Clearly a blind buy. I live in Belgium and there is like next to nowhere to buy or try concertina :-( Trying before buying is of course the way to go but unfortunately not possible for me. But I am pretty sure a vintage concertina will have more soul than a cheaper concertina and your message make me think I did the right choice. Yes, I forgot to mention that is has steel reed, so again great to read your experience between the A/D with brass reed and G/D with steel...Since I never touched a “real” concertina (just tried a Stagi C3 which I didn’t like), I guess I won’t be able to say if it is awful.or not… It was sold by thereedlounge which I decide to trust seeing other high level concertina he is selling !! Funny your remark concerning clickiness :-) Now I have no choice anyway since I clicked the buy button before putting my finger on those 20 bone buttons ;-)

Hello everyone ! I am completely new to concertina and like to buy one ! (Not new to guitar and a very small experience with diatonic accordion). I was going for the "Wren 2" concertina which seem like the perfect beginner concertina: Italian reed, 30 buttons, 6 fold and 3 year of warranty. The sound is a little harsh to my hear but apparently it get sweeter with time... Then I found a "low end" restored Lachenal (20 buttons, mahogany, bone button, 5 fold), picture in attachment (what a beautiful instrument). I like the sound of every Lachenal I can hear on youtube. My problem is that for both concertina, I can't try it or hear how it sound, action etc...(only 1 video for the Wren). For the Lachinal, I am afraid about the action (hearing the click when pressing button, heard this happen on Lachinal). My mind goes to The Wren but my heart to the Lachinal... I have very little time to learn the instrument so I think 20 buttons is more than enough for the moment, I prefer a pleasant sound ;-) But is the Lachenal a sure buy ? (kind of expensive for a blind buy :-) Thank you for your input and help ! Nicolas