Frank Nocera

Yes, 6 fold leather bellows, 30 button C/G Anglo with Czech-made Swedish steel reeds, metal end plates (6.3" across the flats) and riveted action. Not bad for the price I paid. It was on sale at $765 when first released. And it included a nicely done hard box and some lessons.

Nicely done, Seth. And you are correct, as a total newbie I would have not liked finding out it was A/E. I opted to buy a new Swan by Paraic McNeela. As a learning instrument it will be fine for me for a couple years. My only wish is that the buttons were larger, as on the Lachenal.

Deleting my post so as not to detract from or hijack Stephen's post.

Congratulations on getting the Lachenal. In the end I decided not to bid on it, as I really want a 30 button Anglo and believe I will be better off to find one that has already been restored by a well-known restorer.

I emailed Greg. I also called the folks at the Button Box. The serial number appears to be 79001. If I did the math right, it dates to 1868. That's a lotta miles on this instrument.

So, looking at the photos on the Ebay post, it appears it once had a label. My guess is that it is a Lachenal Anglo c/g. So here's my question. Assuming my guess is correct, what would a ball-park estimate to have it fully restored and tuned? Ground-up restoration: bellows, felts, springs, end-pieces restored, valves. Everything except the reeds.

Has anyone heard of a concertina maker J. Riley? If so, were they good instruments? I have searched (I think) thoroughly and can find nothing. There is one for sale on Ebay and I am wondering if it would be a good one to purchase and have restored. Stamped into the frame in the photos is "J. Riley", and what appears to be "Birms".

What price are you asking?

Mike, I didn't know you could rent them! Thanks for that info. What make Anglo did you get? Frank

What concertina did you choose for learning?

I'm thinking sea shanties, Irish, Western cowboy. How would that guide my selection of beginner's concertina? Someone turned me on to Caitlin's Nic Gabhann's tutorial web site. Her on-line Irish concertina lessons are for Anglo. So that has me leaning toward the Rochelle.

I wonder if it was the development of radio as much as the Great Depression that struck the blow to instruments like the concertina and the parlor piano. By 1930 radio was well entrenched as a source of musical entertainment with 12 million homes having radios. By 1940 that number had more than doubled.

Greetings, I am recently retired, living in the Tampa Bay area and have decided to take up the concertina in my dotage. Unfortunately, the sum total of my musical experience and ability could easily be put in a flea's navel and there would still be room for lint. But what I lack in talent may be made up for somewhat by sheer grim determination. Having done some research, I believe I will be acquiring a used Jack / Jackie / or Rochelle as my first instrument. It appears that there are plenty of tutorials around for the Anglo, so I am leaning towards the Rochelle. I've read the postings on this general forum and that has helped me come to that choice. Let me know if I have erred in this conclusion. I live in Dunedin, a small town on the West Coast with a penchant for things Scottish and more craft breweries than stray cats. It has an international award-winning community pipe band and bagpipe is even taught in the schools here. Alas, after much inquiry and recieving of strange looks, I have not been able to find anyone who teaches concertina or even accordion. Does anyone know of a person who gives concertina lessons in the Tampa Bay area? Thanks for letting me in! Frank Nocera The Wannabe