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I think that's right. It's like playing a chord progression in first position on a tenor guitar as opposed to barring up or down the neck with, say, a barred E chord.

RAc, I'll clarify my post also. #1 Outside the home key at either end of the two middle rows, things get a bit wonky with the sequence changing to a more linear layout for the L/H low notes, while the overlap zone is like having 2 mini mirror image EC's, then, at the high end it's back to a liner mode. #3 This is hard to pin down but valuable info for the OP I hope. On the Jeff duet there are many opportunities for 3 note chords on the L/H using 3 or less fingers that invite dropping a resting finger (or the thumb) on a desired low note (or melody note if playing in the middle of the box). This three note trick is a set of easy fingerings repeatable in any key (that I've explored) but never in the same place in every key! So if you play a tune in one key your fingerings, voicing and ornamentation will be different in another. I like that.

Sorry RAc, You posted while I was writing. Comments, but not criticisms on your # 1. Jeffries is similar for the home key but zigzag on the middle 2 rows across the fan shaped pattern with sharps and flats above (for the most part) and low notes below. 2. I consider left/right, accompaniment/melody to be an option rather than a mandate due to the overlap and chromatic nature. 3. There are some repeating chord patterns on the JD but like a guitar you can form chords other than barring.

As a duet player (Jeffries) I would add that while the "home key" is easy (C for my Box) so are F, G, Bb, A minor D minor and several sharp keys. In fact, I don't find any particular note combinations very difficult especially if you're used to the contortions involved in playing the guitar. Additionally the overlap twixt LH and RH solves many difficulties. A further advantage of duet is with voicing potential. You can use a lot of bellows work but you don't have to and you can chord and counterpoint, drone, slur, punch and/or linger at will. The different types of duet will have their own advantages.

The time line eludes me but I was playing guitar a bit pre-Woodstock (I attended but awoke in the mud and drizzle, then got the hell out of there. For me It was the end of an era of small folk clubs Like the Blues Bag in Provencetown, The Village Gate in NY and Cafe' Lena in Saratoga, still alive 😃). I played a few gigs but never warmed to the audiance/performer thing. I got inspired by the Quebeqois fiddle style and was introduced to Contra Dance in the early 70's. I hitchhiked around Europe etc. and stopped in Crabb's Shop in Islington to see about an EC. (I believe my first exposure was to the playing of Louis Killen and John Robert's but there may have been others!). EC's were way too dear in Crabb's but (Neville I believe, although the bill of sale is signed by Geoffry) mused that it didn't matter which system If I was just starting out and promptly trotted out a rather large Wheatstone Jeff duet! The bill of sale reads 30 pounds sterling. I acquired a second JD shortly after getting back to the states and they both went into the closet for 50 years while I happily sawed away on the fiddle for dances. I got so I wasn't practicing or learning anything new and my intonation was starting to slip. I opened them up a little over three years ago. Pandora never infiltrated these boxes! Thanx to all who helped us😊 along. Peace, Health and Harmony Erik

Do you mean the surgical procedure ? Many of us play with sore wrists from one condition or another. For me it's a mild low stress exercise that's beneficial in keeping my wrists limber.

I was thinking the same. Very nice, Isel!

PM sent.

What's the measurement across the flats? Are they both nice and flat with no dents or bends?

I've always found a front pack at belt level to be good for small and medium loads while travelling, x-country skiing carrying the baby, etc.... better balance and you can sit without re-configuring. If you should fall or are targeted in a smash and grab attempt you can curl 'round and protect. You even have a ready desk or table for your lap top or a sandwich. Don't try that with the baby however....😏

I find that my left hand is better at multitasking so I'll use it through the overlap before I enlist the right.

" I grow old, I grow old, I shall wear my trousers rolled" and play the concertina!

75%for me. My 50 button "monster" (6.5 " across the flats).

Happy Birthday! At 73 (retired 13 years) and a recent (3 years in) player, I'd say you have a time machine in your hands every time you pick up your box....😊. "The March of Time", great name for a tune!

I also have some very old tune books and lost the ability to sight read from them (lazy!). I can almost always find at least one YouTube version or something on Slippery Hill, the Session, etc.. Are you interested in learning by ear the exact audio translation from a score? If so, then I agree, (re)learning to sight read the dots is the way to go.

Ear musician also. Why not go old style and ask (or hire) a musician friend ( fiddler?) to record the tunes from the score for you?....😊 ( sorry to step on your post David)

I play whatever comes affordably and conveniently to hand. I play a duet concertina and all sorts of music with it. I've played some diatonic boxes as well. Buy the chemnitzer for goodness sake! Sit with it and explore. Don't try to impose your will, (or someone else's). The bandoneon wasn't built for tango. Any instrument will sing with you. Jazz on a bowed psaltry.!?

I learned several tunes that I play for dances over 50 years ago from a few very old (even then) tune books. I've noticed as I research them a bit that they are now claimed under copyright by contemporary musicians. If I can demonstrate my sources am I still bound to acknowledge these claims?

Whatever, whenever, where ever, crude maybe but I'd love to hear the music it's made... Lumber camps? Whaler? Gold rush saloon?.......😀

Well, I'd be a market of one for a Jeff duet, "playable at a moderate price" but I doubt my desired mods would be a standard for any makers to make a bunch of them.

Is the band of marquetry a decal or a veneer?

Most interesting to me is the hand/palm rest. It looks to be more comfortable and accommodating to hand movement than a strait bar.

What's one that uses springs?

I have to differ and suggest left hand first. I try to play the melody line right up to the other side of the overlap and use the right hand version of those notes to escape difficulties, integrate the tune and or create embellishments. With a mostly two finger lead and open chord (not blocked) approach, it's fairly easy to drop pinky and/or third fingers lower for harmonies. As the melody line goes higher, I can twitter away without getting tangle finger and establish a nice bass line with an occasional chug. Playing Jeffries duet....😊

Harry Geuns makes a foot bass or "bas au pied".