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Joe G.

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Everything posted by Joe G.

  1. Every time I pick up my Kensington concertina, I feel like thanking Dana Johnson. I don't know how to let him know, other than to post a comment here. - Joe G.
  2. I have a 30-button C. Jeffries Bb/F with metal ends, all-black bellows (surely not original), and metal buttons. It plays very well and has a lyrical, comfortable voice (that is, doesn't bark the way you'd expect a Jeff to do). Greg Jowaisas, who put it into playing order for the previous owner, told me that it has reeds from different makers, including Jeffries, but it sounds very balanced. I know nothing about shipping / receiving concertinas between here (Washington State, USA) and Ireland, but I'd like to clear $4,500 USD when the dust has settled.
  3. Dana, I wish you a swift recovery and, yes, plenty of time to explore whatever interests you. Thank you for your attention and care with Kensington Concertinas. I really appreciate the service you gave to me; I admire your workmanship every time pick up my concertina. -Joe G.
  4. Bargaining is an art, if it's done right—that is, if both the seller and the buyer know what's going on, and if neither of them insults the other. I lived in Marrakech in 2012/13, where bargaining seemed to be a full-immersion sport. Vendors in the market stalls were fond of saying they were seeking "a democratic price." They always opened high; I always countered low. I never doubted that, in the end, "democracy" favored the vendor over the non-Moroccan shopper, but I don't think anyone was ever offended in those exchanges. I even made some friends in the process. I sometimes miss that part of Morocco, but not enough to get jerked around by low-ballers. You were right to move on.
  5. I'm right there with you, Luke. That's one lovely machine. I keep lurking on the Buy & Sell forum, but evidently when a person buys one, they keep it.
  6. The new owners probably think it's meant to say Mad for Trade, or some such thing. Glad it arrived and sort of works, Luke. Enjoy!
  7. Does a 36-button Wheatstone C/G have a pull C#?
  8. I believe Mr. Hillman is the Niall Vallely CD-ROM Sweepstakes winner. Boy howdy, that was quick!
  9. Somehow, while I wasn't looking, even audio CDs essentially became obsolete. For whatever it's worth, I've got a copy of Niall Vallely's CD-ROM that I can't play on my Mac. If anybody wants it, I'll send it to you if you cover the postage, etc.
  10. That engraved fretwork is gorgeous!
  11. Concertina Connection has thumbscrews and inserts for both English and anglo concertinas.
  12. Where are you in the PNW? I live in SW Washington, and I'd be happy to let you fondle some anglos. You'd at least get to feel how different one is from another, and that might help you make a long-distance decision with Barleycorn.
  13. Hiya Sadie, I've sent a personal message. All best, Joe
  14. Sadie, I sent you a message asking why the Carroll didn't get the playing time that you'd surely envisioned for it. I didn't mean to offend, if I did, or suggest anything judgmental. Mainly I'm curious as to whether the Carroll was competing for your attention with an instrument that you were already accustomed to playing, and if so, what is the other instrument? I'm still trying to make up my mind about justifying another concertina purchase. Anything you can tell me will help. Thanks!
  15. Well, dang! I don't need another concertina, but yours is really tempting. I'll keep thinking about it.
  16. Is your Carroll still for sale? If so, where are you? If you're in the Pacific Northwest, I'd like to play it first and then decide about buying it.
  17. Give Dana Johnson a visit. He's practically your neighbor, there in Kensington, Maryland. If your daughter likes playing one of his instruments, not only does she get a really good concertina at a reasonable price, but she also gets the care and attention of the guy who built it. In my experience with him, Mr. Johnson is the real deal.
  18. Kalen, I'm interested, and I've sent a message. -Joe G.
  19. Dan, were there many editorial changes after the premature copies escaped from Amazon? I haven't noticed anything in mine that would have called for editing, but I'm curious. I look forward to meeting you at Consairtín.
  20. Wim Wakker's Concertina Connection has adjustment screws for both anglo and English straps, the anchor blocks that they screw into, and end bolts as well.
  21. This is a Jeffries 30 button anglo in Bb/F. It has "C. Jeffries Maker" stamped between the right hand rows, so I would guess it was made toward the end of the 19th Century. It has a six-fold, all-business black bellows in very good condition, certainly not original but not new, either. It's been worked-over by Greg Jowaisas at some point in the past few years (not to restore it, but to put it into good working order), and it plays very well, indeed. The action is light and quick. While all the reeds are steel, set in brass shoes, Greg J. told me that they aren't all Jeffries reeds. The tone, however, is very well balanced, if less strident than you might expect. In short, it's a Jeffries that won't drive your partner out of the room, and it's a lot of fun to play. I'm asking $4650 for it, shipping included to the Con.US (negotiable for a Pac.NW, in-person sale).
  22. I recently answered an ad on concertina.net for a Kensington concertina with Jeffries lay-out. I played it, liked it, and bought it, but two reeds played different notes from what I was used to on my C/G Jeffries. I contacted Dana Johnson and offered to pay to have the two reeds retuned or replaced to match the other concertina. He offered instead to do the work just to keep the Kensington playing as it should; all I had to pay was the cost of insured shipping. This is the only interaction I've had with Dana Johnson, but I couldn't be more impressed. First, he is a careful and thoughtful craftsman. In addition to the reed work, he replaced a fluttery valve (now it's perfect). I'm very pleased with the voice, action, and articulation of this Kensington concertina, but I also have nothing but praise for Dana Johnson's work-and-service ethic. If you're looking for a well-made concertina, consider Dana Johnson's Kensingtons. They—and he—are the real deal.
  23. It is, indeed, a great book—excellent text and transcriptions. If you like Irish concertina, you'll love this book.
  24. Hey Rockportland, I’m interested, and I think I live close enough for a hands-on trial and no-shipping sale, if your Kensington and I get along. I’m away from home, but I’ll be back Monday night, December 26. Let me know how to arrange a meet-up, and we can go from there. Thanks, Joe
  25. I'm free on those days, but I'm not averse to driving a bit. In the interest of putting fewer cars on the road it might make sense to meet up in Portland or Olympia or Seattle. Anybody else in the PNW with free time on July 22 or 23 and a hankering for some concertina inspiration?
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