doodle

All's well! I hate to pester our hard-working fettlers, but I took your advice, JD and gave Mark a phone call on Friday and there had been a slip-up and my order had been over-looked. So Monday morning brought the 'full-fat', 3mm, gold-tooled and felt-lined straps to my letter box. That's great service and just in time for tomorrow's rehearsal. The straps are superb quality and immediately comfortable - and of course a perfect fit.

Thanks Rod for your very generous offer, that's exceptionally kind of you, but I shall follow JD's advice for now, tho,' and sand the edges and see how it goes. The belt was black and fairly close to 3mm thick, I cut it to the pattern of the old straps and it is the leather's stiffness that is also the problem, so I'll spend time wriggling it around to try to induce some suppleness, I hope! I had a call from the project coordinator today to say that rehearsals start next Tuesday (23 new songs), so I'm stuck with this for now. Hoping Mark replies soon, as I've two red and slightly swollen knuckles already! Hey Ho!

Thanks folks. I have sent an email, so I'll hang on for a while for a reply before getting on the 'phone. I do appreciate that supply problems can dog people's best efforts to get on top of orders and try to be patient. In the meantime, I've cobbled a set of straps from an old leather belt - they dig in rather painfully behind my 1st finger knuckles, but they'll 'do' for now as long as I don't play for too many minutes at a time. They won't help come rehearsal time, however!

Can anyone confirm whether Mark is still supplying spares? I ordered and paid upfront for anglo straps and D rings back on 16th May and got an auto 'Order confirmed' acknowledgement. However a month or so on, no communication or sign of a delivery. I'm needing the straps to properly fulfil a professional booking + rehearsals starting as soon as lock-down ends. Any thoughts, please. Hoping it's a glitch.

I use a simple White Stuff canvas bag to carry my 2 anglos in their own cases. It's strong, light,looks uninteresting and has shoulder and hand straps + a couple of pockets. It's a luggage item, not a fashion bag, and just the right shape. I'm sure other makes are available I gave up on a double flight case - which I still have if you want it (free) - as it was too heavy and awkward to carry around and knowing your travel arrangements (you have stayed with me in Devon), I truly don't think it would be a good idea IMHO when you also may have melodeon and overnight bag to tote as well. Try ebay for a canvas bag is my suggestion, Cohen.

Wow! indeed and that's just the tip of his superb iceberg of talent, so to speak!

Theo Gibb has Ab/Eb 38 button Lachenal theboxplace.co.uk/product/lachenal-38-abeb/ Any help?

As others say, I have 44 and a 50 key Jeffries Brothers anglos, (1 being ex Fred Kilroy G/D). Lovely instruments all!

I've had details - a full programme from Friday lunch to Sunday tea. I've booked.

Sale agreed

Sale pending

Hello Deidre, I don't think the owner would want to sell outside the UK, but I will ask, of course. Thanks for your message. I'll get back to you in due course.

I'm selling this instrument on behalf of a friend who bought it from Colin Dipper, intending to learn to play upon her retirement. Having now found family and 'life' have left her no time, she has asked me to sell it. It has 30 buttons for C/G playing, plus a 'bird-call' and a 'cry-baby' . The layout seems to be standard 'Wheatstone' style and the condition is largely good and is as sold to her several years ago by Colin - I was with her when she bought it. It seems to be in tune (modern pitch) and has been re-padded on the left side, although the right-hand side appears untouched as presumably it was felt to be ok. The metal ends are in good condition and the action is fine with no problems. I had to open it up to 'free-off' a couple of reed that had stopped sounding - she basically hasn't touched it since purchase - and they are now working perfectly well. The instrument is air-tight and has good bellows, it plays well. There are two identical numbers inside, ink-stamped onto the reed-board and the bellows frame - 98787. I was careful to look for a 1 at the beginning, but there doesn't appear to be anything else, so I think at least this shows that the bellows are original, as fitted, but I haven't a clue about Lachenal numbering, so can't suggest its age. Colin hazzarded the late 1890's when I originally asked and unfortunately the seller didn't retain her sale ticket, so there's no further info. available. It has a good modern hard case and a very small label under the metal frets at one end with a music shop's name. The seller is hoping to sell for £1600 + postage within the UK. and payment can be made via Paypal to her and she retains the instrument - I have no financial interest in this sale, just helping out. I have a full set of photos showing the hard case, the exterior of the instrument, the bellows interior and both sides of both reed-pans as removed and I can send these via email if interested. I struggle with the tech. of transferring from phone to website - actually I can't do it at all!! The instrument is located in North Devon (UK)

If only I played English!!!! So boooooootiful!!!! This must have been someone's prized possession - wonder what the back-story is?

Thanks, David for your prompt reply. in case anyone is looking, I'm not buying - wish i could, though!.