RogerT
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Everything posted by RogerT
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Question for MIDI builders: Arduino frame loss issue
RogerT replied to RAc's topic in Instrument Construction & Repair
Sounds like a workaround. BTW..fascinating thread. A year or two ago someone was selling midified melodeons in the UK, but the s/w was seriously flaky, with errant notes sounding and odd behaviours (on my test rig, at least). I was never allowed to look at the code. This has piqued my interest. I don't particularly like midi instruments…but the underlying ideas and s/w are interesting (yeah, retired programmer here). You can correct me but 'realtime' (i was told, for trading systems at least) is stuff that happens within 50ms. -
Making Replacement Reed Tongues By Hand
RogerT replied to Natasha's topic in Instrument Construction & Repair
V interesting (again) ..and Tiposx …I'll reply to you. But these 'tina reed screws were put in and not intended for removal….anyone know what the process was? How come they are effectively seized in place? How was this done? -
Making Replacement Reed Tongues By Hand
RogerT replied to Natasha's topic in Instrument Construction & Repair
Very interesting post thanks (I find the riveting back in position the hardest part of this process….a bolt is an interesting idea). So…for trad concertina reeds…..what is the process of removing and refitting the little screws and holder plate? -
On the subject of Anglos: the Marcus is actually a nice instrument (with accordion reeds). I was very impressed when I played one. I've seriously considered ditching my 32key Lachenal for one. Also the mid to upper range McNeela ones are pretty good, with a fast action, aimed at the ITM market, where a fast responsive instrument is important. This goes against the grain a bit..given I repair these things for a living, but I'd get a new modern one any day over a vintage one. Old instruments are all very well, but can be a pain in the rear. And not only that, you sometimes have to listen v hard to tell the difference between trad reeds and accordion reeds (on the top end hybrid models). I'm going to get shouted down for saying this, I'm sure. My advice is not to get too hung up on an old vintage instrument, at least to start. A $1500 new instrument is good enough for most people. Check out the young Irish Anglo players on YT. They sound pretty good and many are playing modern hybrids. A vintage $$$ instrument doesn’t make you a better player.
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Dave Elliot's thumbstrap design is a good place to start, though I think the template in the book isn't long enough and I lengthened it. I also made a couple of slatted wooden forms to squish the leather/fabric sandwich while it is gluing.,,and this ensures it is parallel and straight and of an exact and consistent width. Having said all that, making thumbstraps is a bit of a pain if you only do it occasionally, and expect to make a couple before you get it right. An alternative is to make thumbstraps from a single piece of thick (but soft) leather, thus avoiding the 'watch strap' design (folded, glued leather encasing bits of felt and cloth). You still need to glue them to the metal brackets (use hide glue), but it's a lot quicker and easier. I've done this a couple of times (at customer's request, not because I'm lazy) and quite like the result.
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To answer your original question, it'd be better to get a 30 key CG, the reason being that tutorial books and YT instructional videos are all for that instrument. Though you won't get an old (say) Lachenal for your budget, unless it is a wreck and you'll have to restore it. And..you really do need the extra row of accidentals. There are some very useful reversals on there. Avoid the Stag concertinas (even the more expensive one). They are pretty awful to play. The Rochelle is very playable in comparison and a good choice. The other place to look is at the entry level 30 key Anglos sold in Ireland (e,g, by McNeela). Because it's such a popular instrument there they all tend to be very playable. Or the Marcus (made in Wales), which is excellent for an accordion reeded 'tina. I've tried all these instruments by the way (and repaired them). As a supplemental answer, if you have a 20key Lachenal or Jones, which has the removeable reeds, the simplest and most effective 'mod' is to get hold of a matching C# reed and substitute the pull A in the middle of the LH G row. It works surprisingly well and it's how I've got my Jones. So I can knock out tunes in D. The point here is that the G/A button on the G row is repeated on the top button of the LH D row, and (if you learn the Irish style …see the Bramich book) you use that key anyway and not the G row G/A button. Extra observation…you don't play up and down the rows on an Anglo, …you play across the rows. Some people do play up and down so this mod won't work if that's how you intend to play. Up and down players need a box in GD.
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Barry Concertina, free anglo instructional ITD videos
RogerT posted a topic in Teaching and Learning
I follow this engaging chap on YouTube. Some of his vids have a great instructional element, like this one, with comments on ornamentation. It assumes you know your way around a CG Anglo and is not for beginners. But I really like his laid back and unshowy style..-
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EC tuning mystery solved....I think
RogerT replied to Matthew Heumann's topic in Instrument Construction & Repair
Firstly, thanks Alex Holden for that brilliant little summation on temperament, and also Don's post, with the 1848 ad, which implies that Alex may be onto something. -
Yes, this has been my approach. It's also possible to get m2.5 bolt/wood inserts.
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EC tuning mystery solved....I think
RogerT replied to Matthew Heumann's topic in Instrument Construction & Repair
Ah right, I've seen this on Anglos but not on any English 'tinas, and I see a lot of those…many more than Anglos. -
EC tuning mystery solved....I think
RogerT replied to Matthew Heumann's topic in Instrument Construction & Repair
“Only if it's tuned Equal Temperament, which early ECs probably weren't when they left the factory.” I am curious about this. Given an English concertina is supposed to be fully chromatic surely it would be tuned to equal temperament as there is no scope for anything else? -
Replacing Accordion Reed in a Concertina
RogerT replied to Chris L's topic in Instrument Construction & Repair
I think you can buy genuine Hohner reed plates (and other parts) from their 'C Shop'. See here…they appear to have an outlet for the US and Canada. https://www.hohnershop.com -
That's very cool. I'm not a midi fan, but that is very good. Congrats!!
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That is impressive.
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It might be worth getting the action on your Lachenal checked…and also work out what is not right about it (while you go a looking for that ideal 'tina…my advice…try first, so attend events where you can do this). My Lachenal 32 was truly awful…had terrible action …but I have made it pretty fast and playable with a *lot* of work…like bushing, adjusting spring tension, lowering buttons, fix spongy feel by sorting any tiny air leaks, checking valve behaviour, checking and fixing reed response…that sort of thing. It can make a lot of difference to its playability.
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- suttner7mount
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Assuming it's a standard CG 'tina… 1) get the standard layout for a CG anglo tina (somewhere on here or search Google. 2) work out where those reed blocks go 3) map buttons to the holes and therefore the block/reed chamber position 4) result should be what you are looking for. 5) if you have the reeds, ping them to work out the push/pull pitches 6) this should then enable you to match the reeds to the blocks.
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I am curious to see how you made the reed pans, so if it's not too much bother please post pictures.
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Sticky note on English Bastari
RogerT replied to LilaMable's topic in Instrument Construction & Repair
Post a picture of the action when you take the end off. Some (cheaper) instruments use bits of plastic pipe in the mech and this can cause issues like this. It's easily fixed if yours happens to be like this. -
Any chance of seeing some pix of the reed pan? Also…any pix of your bellows construction…and what board did you use for the bellows?
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Troubleshooting leaky action box
RogerT replied to RogerT's topic in Instrument Construction & Repair
I wasn't really asking for a diagnosis of the issues…yes there is a crack…i was just showing how it's possible to put the action box on so you see it working and diagnose all the issues, not necessarily a technique to everyone’s liking but all the same v useful on occasion. Yes I know about using a bright light etc and I don't always do it this way….I repair concertinas professionally so I've got a good grasp of how to go about it. It's really no extra effort to do this. -
Troubleshooting leaky action box
RogerT replied to RogerT's topic in Instrument Construction & Repair
Actually, I think it is very helpful..obviously only occasionally, when air leaks are a particular problem. You also need a stethoscope. -
I thought I'd share this simple solution to assemble a concertina to check for air leaks, but with the top of the action box removed, so you can see what’s going on.
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Tuning piano accordion reeds for Anglo concertina
RogerT replied to Fanie's topic in Instrument Construction & Repair
I'd probably use a C# reed and flatten/sharpen, or a D reed and flatten to C. -
Dating A Lachenal From The Serial Number
RogerT replied to johnconstable's topic in Concertina History
Hi, i've got a Lachenal EC, steel reeds, tutor model, serial #38559. My guesstimate is 1905 but maybe not. If you'd be kind enough to check the date for me, that'd be great. thanks -
magnetic card stock for weighting reeds
RogerT replied to wunks's topic in Instrument Construction & Repair
I've got a load of tiny…i mean really tiny (like 2 or 3 mm diameter) magnets. They would be ideal to try out your idea. You can get them for very little on eBay. You may find that fine tuning is the issue…if they stay put with the reed oscillating. If i get some time i might experiment myself…I'm now curious to see if this works.