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Paul Hurst

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Posts posted by Paul Hurst

  1. Both, Alex, I love that, like my English, the keys are laid out in a logical pattern - even better with each end being self-contained. 51 keys is enough for me to have an octave overlap, allowing for me to play silly beggars in some tunes with exactly the same notes each side - and playing an octave apart is easy, just flip the fingering pattern.

    I lucked into this instrument by accident after flooding all the places I could think of with requests for a top-end Crane and expected to have a long wait until a suitable Aeola or Edeophone came up. Instead, I was contacted by someone who decided to sell me his one, as he had a new, smaller one coming -     https://crane.concertina.org/details.php?indexnum=40

    Playing it out at the moment with two Anglo players, busking with a set of carols to raise money for charity and will start working it into sessions and gigs gradually next year. Had for about a year, but work got in the way.

    For me, 51 keys turned out to be ideal, so a 55 would have be good, but a 48 somewhat restrictive. I had a huge one back in the 80's for a bit, wouldn't go down that path again - too heavy and bulky. 

    A friend who is a brilliant Anglo player, having tried my Crane said if he had his time again that is what he would buy, and stick with it. I agree.

     

    Sorry for being a bit slow, I've just realised that I have my Crane due to you making John his new one - cheers!

     

    04850c30-ce0a-46fd-ad12-0acab701fb52.jpg

    • Like 2
  2. Re the number of buttons - I was looking for a versatile instrument that I can explore grow into over time, so started off looking for a 48 by preference, with a suitable quality 55 as an option due to the limited availability of decent Cranes. Having ended up with a 51 (Little John's, actually), I'm well pleased - not sure if I have the reach to cope with any more, and can avoid feelings of 'if only' at a later date.  

  3. Thanks to everyone for your offers and advice, I've bought a 51b Dipper that has met or exceeded all my requirements.

     

    Thanks also to Chris at Barleycorn for his expert advice regarding establishing a fair value, was a great help.  

  4. Many thanks for your advice, Peter.

    The Wheatstone is still on approval, I realised very quickly that I wanted to take up the duet again, but with a higher quality instrument. I've been spoiled by my other boxes apparently.

    Yes, Chris offered to give me a full px value against another instrument later on - we both though that it could be a long time before something suitable came up.

    This has not proven to be the case, though, I've heard from two people on this site, as well as a couple from the Facebook group and there are two serious contenders, one as a final purchase, and another as a 'Plan B' to be getting along with if necessary. 

    Hope to have things sorted within a couple of weeks.

    The Crane I had long ago was huge, forgotten how many buttons, bur the smaller size and weight appealed a lot more this time, hence the range chosen - included 55b ones to widen the choice available, but agree about 48b being a Goldilocks size, for me, anyway.

    Paul 

  5. With the extended lockdown, I’ve gone back to playing a Crane Duet.

     

    Picked up a 1950s 48b Wheatstone for now from Chris Algar, but looking for a top quality one long term.

     

    I like the size of the 48, but would go up to a 55b one if necessary considering the rarity of the little critters now.

     

    Many thanks Paul

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