rcr27

Any maker or restorer in the UK who could take on the task of making a new set of bellows for a single action bass concertina?.

Pm sent

I know these are not so common but if anyone has one for sale I’d be interested, in any condition. These were Wheatstone concertinas from the 1860s and 70s when E. Chidley was in charge I believe. Photo attached for reference.

Sold on ebay

This is temporarily on hold

30 x 27 cm (height x length). With the bellows closed it has a width of 16 cm from one end to the others. No case I’m afraid.

Sold on ebay

**Sold** I’m selling this nice little Wheatstone that I purchased recently due to another unexpected acquisition (C.A.S.). Serial number 5715, 4-fold bellows, riveted brass reeds (fat rivet type), and brass buttons. Hook and pivot action (Lachenal type). A person’s name and address is engraved on the fretwork and reedpan: Thos (Thomas?) Guest, 56 Fore St Hill, Exeter. In original condition, not really playable, and begging an overdue restoration. Some pinholes in the corners and gussets are causing air leaks. Three long screws are missing from the right hand side, and two end bolts on the left end have sheared off at the end box level, leaving the threaded bits inside the bellows frame. The right end fretwork would need few structural repairs; the left end is stable. Reinforcing the internal hinges and gussets, as well as external patching should make the bellows sufficiently airtight to extend its life some good years before requiring new bellows. Then the usual pads, valves, reedwork etc etc… Good restoration project for those who like early ones, unfortunately I have enough work and I don’t want this to sit and collect dust. This will be a sweet sounding box once restored. Price is £125 + shipping. Same price as I bought it for. Can also be seen in person, I’m located in South Yorkshire currently. More photos available via private message.

It’s just not right. Sorry I don’t understand what you mean

This has been sold on ebay

These pieces of card were inside the bellows, they appear to have been cut from a poster advertising Louis Lachenal’s concertinas.

I’m selling this rare, early baritone english concertina for restoration. I believe it’s a Louis Lachenal, but has a fretwork design that I’ve seen on Wheatstones from the 1850s. The serial number is 12814, it has brass reeds, and Lachenal’s hook and pivot action. It is in original unrestored condition, not playable at the moment, mainly because the leather around one of the corner of the bellows has “unglued” from the card, leaving two holes around the respective gussets. I believe this is curable and hopefully won’t require replacing the bellows, as they are otherwise in good condition. A missing end bolt and a loose action board frame needed re gluing back in place. Then, the usual pads, action, valves, tuning, thumb straps… No sings of warping. All in all, a nice and doable job for the right person. We’ll only know how good the reeds are once it gets restored properly; my other baritone also has brass reeds but sounds loud as steel… Price for this is £800, about 3 times less than its fully restored price. I am currently located on South Yorkshire, you’re welcome to come and see in person. Can ship nationally for £15, and abroad at the buyer’s expense. More photos and info available on private message. Thanks for looking.

I second the Wheatstone Mayfair (or as I prefer to call it, the Boosey & Hawkes concertina); it ticks all your boxes as it was made for those purposes. This video illustrates the Mayfair and other entry level anglo concertinas: https://youtu.be/pSy2czyV3Mk?si=rWSz2mBKLSy5CDk3

This is still available. The highest note on the left side is C5, and the lowest on the right side is F3. It is around modern pitch (A440), but out of tune of course, within the range of -5 to +20 cents.

I don’t rule it out but I doubt Wheatstone would’ve let something like this leave the factory (see photo attached of the closed bellows), but then again it’s extremely rare having to replace two entire action boards…. Yeah I think I’ve been too harsh there. I had a look a it again and few buttons tend to get stuck, but they eventually release out. That’s about it really!

Extra photos of the right action board

(not sold yet)

This is a very rare Wheatstone Maccann duet, 79 buttons (correct me if I miscounted) with raised metal ends. Not sure if it can be considered an “Aeola” but it is an 8-sided one, possibly one of the earliest Maccann duets of this size (serial number 24303). The lowest note is C2 and the highest is B6. It is being sold for restoration, it is hardly playable as it is right now, though the bellows themselves are in good condition. It has had a tough life, the photos speak for themselves. It would need a new action board as the original ones have been replaced with metal boards at some point. Could do with new frames too while we’re there… The rest of the components are there, including the aluminium-framed reeds (steel). The raised metal ends are not in bad condition. The left reed pan needs new gasket. It could be used as a source of spares, though given its rarity it’d be sad not to restore and bring it back to fully working order. It would have been a top-notch beast when it left the factory some 120 years ago. Unfortunately this would be quite an expensive job, hence I’m selling it (plus I’m not a duet player), but I’m sure someone will be willing to invest the necessary. Price is £600 + shipping. I’m located in South Yorkshire (UK) currently. I could consider a trade in for an steel-reeded english concertina. More photos available on private message. Thanks.

Eddy Chidley indeed! Here is its lost brother.

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Looking for an English Wheatstone for repair/restoration, ideally with steel reeds. Located in the UK.

Few of valves for the lowest notes on this George Jones are glued down differently to the rest (i.e. with the tip facing outwards). This is only in the chambered side of the pan. Any particular reasons for it?

Still for sale. On ebay too but would rather sell through the forum

Now on ebay

SOLD