robert stewart

https://www.ebay.com/itm/353204139890 Looks like a fabulous instrument, made by Steve Dickinson. But wait...what do you notice that is odd about some of the photographs? I do not want to give any hints, but I think something looks strange... best wishes to all, Robert

The pine (?) baffles are interesting...has anyone every compared such wooden baffles in older concertinas to the Virzi toneplate and similar secondary soundboards found in stringed instruments? While cloth or leather baffles in a concertina will have a muting or damping effect, baffles of tone wood, even fairly rough, may act as soundboards for certain overtones. Having restored several fretted instruments that had such secondary soundboards inside, typically just below the main sound hole, I wonder about a "lost" soundboard technology when I see instruments with such boards. The prime example that is best known is, of course the secondary soundbox used by Mario Maccaferri inside his Grande Bouche guitars...based on designs by his teacher, Mozanni (ie dating back to the late 19th early 20th centuries). just a few thoughts, in case this has not been discussed in the distant past. best wishes, Robert

There is surely a story here..."E Lachenal" and her warehouse...so she was a member of the family, and presumably it was the Lachenal warehouse? Then there is Rt (presumably Robert?) Carter of "E Division"...is that military or police? (on a dark and stormy night, international concertina thieves climb the roof of the Lachenal warehouse, then rappel down to kick through a high window. They are seeking high end concertinas to bury in a time capsule, and then wait for the prices to rise. But they reckoned without trusty Robert Carter, a concertina lover, and unrequited admirer of Ms Lachenal.

Here's a question for the wood experts: is "thuya" or thuja, as in the Lachenal listing, the same as Lignum Vitae? I worked on tuning a set of uilleann pipes made from Lignum Vitae some years ago...a very hard aromatic wood that cracked easily as it was curing...but was good thereafter. thank you, RJ

Hmmm. A number of Music Hall/Variety or possibly Arthur Askey style verses might be cautiously composed on the theme: "I once dated a concertina but she wouldn't let me squeeze her... Robert

This may be an obvious thought that you have considered already. Do you have a ceiling fan or other kind of fan running when you play and notice the vibrato/tremulo? That frequently causes a tremulo effect for concertinas. Which is not there, of course, when any fans are off. best wishes, Robert

Zoom has caused many concerns about hacking, spying, infiltration, etc. I recently used Go To Meeting for a group class, and that successfully broadcast a lady singing live, which everyone said was good quality. Good thing that a concertina cannot be hacked, only a computer good luck! Robert

Should this short thread be amalgamated with the substantial thread on dating Lachenal's? That seems to be where it belongs. Perhaps a moderator could do this? best wishes, Robert

Thank you Dowright! You also dated the year of my Edeophone English, a couple of months ago. I appreciate the help and expertise. Robert

mea culpa, mistaking 2 for 6 in a serial number!. What year or approx year might an Edeophone duet with number 2880 have been made? Robert. (current confirming his birthday date in case he got that wrong )

Many thanks for answering. Curious indeed: the number stamped on the metal scrollwork shows as 6880, and it appears again as 6880 inside the instrument. I wonder if this could be 688, in fact? I could not see a 4 anywhere. I just sent it off to Greg Jowaisas for some repair and restoration, so I cannot take any close up pics. In the attached picture you can just see the Number at the top of the scrollwork. Maybe some refined tech could sharpen it up...but I do not have the means to do this. But thank you again for the information and advice...very helpful...and mystifying. Robert

Still hoping that Dowright can help with his expertise. Third try lucky? I recently bought a large metal ended Lachenal Edeophone Maccann duet system, with 9-fold bellows, 61 keys, but really 59 notes, as there is a duck quack and a whistle, so essential back in the day for variety entertainers. The serial number is 6880. While it is being restored, I am wondering what date it might have been made? best wishes, Robert

Lachenal Edeophone, Maccann Duet, 61 keys, metal ends set in wooden frame with ebony veneers. number 2880 confirmed. What year might this be?

I recently bought a 61 key Edeophone with metal ends, presumably a Duet. waiting for it to arrive next week. Would the serial number 2880 be correct for this? Many thanks, Robert

Hmm....as a Scottish musician, I might surmise that he was an English comedian? But no...he was indeed English, as discussed on this forum (died 1953, came from Yorkshire) but he was also a skilled concertina player. So the next challenge is to discover how to play bagpipes that look like a mockery of a concertina? Robert

Good to know that I am not a crazy paranoid musician...at least, I think that I'm not...perhaps.

Is this a scam? It has appeared on Ebay (USA) with the typical "only selling via Buy it Now* text. Also...the description and pics look familiar, as they seem to appear from time to time? https://www.ebay.com/itm/WHEATSTONE-LACHENAL-ENGLISH-CONCERTINA/184200837300?hash=item2ae339b8b4:i:184200837300 Or am I just jaded and suspicious ? Robert

It might be helpful to post some pictures. Then the experts here can give you more information. RJ

So I would guess from your name that you Play early English dance music, usually at a Ford? Great quote! Thank you.

As I posted the original question, with a link to "Humidipaks" (which I did not invent, and do not promote, though I am trying them out with my instruments), I would like to add a couple of further thoughts. Firstly, as I come from Scotland and lived for years in England (for shame), I can confirm that the climate is just as damp as it probably was in the heyday of concertina making. So at least 50% humidity would be normal for much of the year, though less indoors with heating. As heating in the 19th and early 20th was mainly by coal fires and stoves (dry) or gas (very moist), the concertina must be tolerant instrument. Here in West Virginia there are quite staggering daily variations in humidity, until summer when it is extremely high, or the dead of winter which is deadly dry. The 40-45% up/down action of these strange goopy breathy gel packs keeps the humidity from dropping low enough in the case to cause damage to a musical instrument. It helps, in other words, when they are inside a case with the lid shut, to keep a workable minimum for protection. As soon as the concertina is out and standing or playing, the instrument is breathing the ambient humidity or lack of it. The worst thing would probably be to have a concertina, in a case for a period of time, where the humidity was locked in and could not reduce. Rust, mould, rot. But if we practice every day..... best wishes, RJ

Does anyone have experience using humidification gel packs for keeping a concertina stable? They are usually used for other wooden instruments (which also have, of course, metal parts). Typical example here: https://www.daddario.com/products/accessories/humidification/automatic-humidipak/ What is interesting with these is that they are supposedly to keep a stable humidity of 40-45% inside a case. If humidity is high they draw it in. If low, they emit some humidity. Here in the northern panhandle of West Virginia humidity rises high, then suddenly drops low, often within a very short time. Depends on....everything. Robert

Thank you Geoff for sharing your story. I was thinking of the theory that the left brain works the right side, and the right brain the left side, therefore the nerves, fingers, etc. There are quite a few items on this subject on the web that show up in a search. To be honest I have no idea if the theory is correct, but it is widely used in various ways. Whatever it was, and however it worked, I am glad to hear that the EC helped you, just as it helped me. I much prefer playing the concertina to doing rehabilitation exercises! best wishes, RJ

Thinking of the concertina as a therapeutic assist. About 20 years ago I absorbed some mercury that had crept into an outdoor hot tub in a heavy rainstorm. The result was blinding headaches, loss of mobility, and so forth. As I began to recover, I found that reading street signs was erratic...they would read (to me) nothing like what they actually said. There were other bizarre symptoms....but you get the idea. However, I renewed my love for the English Concertina, which works with right and left hands in rapid alternation, and therefore stimulates left and right brain. After a couple of months of daily practice (not having played for some years), most road signs read correctly for me, my speech improved, and my concertina playing really benefited. Hooray for Sir Charles and Louis!

Just out of interest, does anyone know who really has that Lachenal "stretch" tenor-treble, with the Wheatstone straps?

I sent an Ebay message to the (supposed) seller of this item and of the uilleann pipes. The instruments do not appear in his/her listings when you go direct to them, only as the scam items. Maybe the seller can have the fake items taken down.