Tiposx

I visited Theo today and within 15 minutes he had fitted and tuned a replacement nickel silver reed whilst I watched. Top bloke!

Thank you for all the advice. I will try Theo first as he is local. Tiposx

Pm to Theo

Update : The reed is definitely dead. It had gone floppy- it looks like it has failed along the step near the base, created by all the reed filing it has had since around 1853. So can anyone suggest a supplier of replacement for this Rock Chidley reed in either nickel silver or brass? Or possibly a source for the whole plate/ reed assembly?I don't know if the size of the reed plate varies between makers. Failing that I will probably have a go at making a new reed from hardened brass sheet.

'Tis now an F......

The G4 pull reed on my English has just become a nice steady F#4 all by itself. I looks like one of the original nickel silver reeds, but I can't see anything obviously wrong with it. It isn't dirty and the valve is working well. Any ideas/ prognosis? (I am used to working on melodeons so I understand free reeds in general.) Thanks Tiposx

It sounds "mellower" than the others to me. I am more used to melodeons and accordions - reeds from different makers can sound different in that way. I think it adds character but that doesn't help if it bugs the owner....

Fantastic journey and a compelling read. I didn't fully get "why" until http://concertinamatters.se/styled-25/styled-18/index.html Explained the button spacing. So - fewer buttons allows wider button spacing. Buttons that push down to level with the ends. Wrist straps on an EC. I think I get it now - Thanks for sharing it with us. Tiposx

Yes looks interesting and it is a great price. Must be a catch somewhere?

Hi Nicolas why did you send the Wren back? Tiposx

Hi Papawemba Thank you for that info. Like you I noticed that Caitlin Nic Gabhann made even the beginner instrument sound super. Good point re buying on trial, I will have a think about that for a few days on holiday. Meanwhile I am looking for reviews and other people's experiences of the hybrid models. There seems to be a theme that one has to spend £2k to get a good instrument, but I just don't want to spend that much. My house is full of lovely musical instruments and yet the most expensive one is a "beginner" grade english concertina! Tiposx

Also known as apj concertinas. The Anglo is on my list of hybrids to consider. What do owners/players think? I know that at least one forum member has owned and sold one some years ago. I play Irish music. Many thanks

I am looking at anglo hybrid concertinas. Has anyone actually played or owned one of the Phoenix c/g. It is advertised as an intermediate level concertina. It sounds good in their promotional video and appears to play fast- although it is being played by a champion.The price is very competitive, but there isn't much info around except via Mcneela. I understand that the model is similar to its predecessor the Mcneela Swallow. Thanks Tiposx

I have an ec with nickel steel [edit -I mean nickel silver] reeds, also some of the original reeds have been replaced with brass. It is not a posh instrument. I am just a beginner with the concertina but I play it, button boxes and pa with someone who is very accomplished on his rosewood -ended metal-button Lachenal and metal ended Crabb steel reeded instruments. We play Irish music and have swapped concertinas a few times. My brass reeded instrument would have no trouble, none at, all keeping up speed-wise with tunes such as the one in your clip. Subjectively the brass reeds can be played quite fast, much faster than your tune, but need more effort/air on the bellows than the steel. That is largely what makes the instrument slower to play than the steel -reeded ones. The Lachenal in particular feels almost touch-sensitive and is hardly any effort to play. Regarding volume the Crabb goes from talking to yelling; the Lachenal goes from smooth talking to mellow shouting. The brass reeded one goes from mellow whisper to mellow loudish speech. I love the sound of it, especially as I usually play in a glass walled room with hard floor. The Crabb cuts through on a pub session with soft furnishings and people around. The Lachenal doesn't cut through very well in that setting. The brass reeds seem to be holding tune nicely. All subjective!

Reader - I bought it. Tiposx