Surly Boy

Thank you Alex. I will report back. Is there any difference in testing these compared to steel reeds? I've put a few of them up to my mouth and got no sound at all.

Hi all, I have here a Jones or Lachenal 20 button concertina in terrible condition - splits in the wood, pads all need replacing, etc. The list goes on, and never mind the bellows! Why do I have it? I'm trying to learn how to maintain and fix them, and came across this one cheaply. I've been cleaning up steel reeds on a different concertina as part of my "apprenticeship" with some success, however the brass reeds feel way different and aren't responding to my cleaning as obviously as the steel reeds. Attached are some pictures. Is there a substantial difference in the handling of these reeds? Maybe I am being too gentle. Any wisdom appreciated. TD

Hi Bob, yes unforunately I'm in Ireland

Hi all, I am selling this concertina for playing Irish trad music in C/G, Anglo Wheatstone layout. I have another Crabb concertina on loan which I want to purchase from its owner which is why I am parting with this one. If I could I would keep both but unfortunately not possible as we all know how expensive concertinas are. I'm not in a huge rush to sell it though so you're welcome to try it out. It would be a great upgrade for an intermediate player or for a more experienced player who doesn't want to break the bank. I got it back in November 2022 for £3250 GBP in England, from Chris Algar who runs the very reliable Barleycorn Concertina shop. It is in the same condition as when it was bought. It is one of the last 60 concertinas made in the Crabb shop on Liverpool Road London and was made in early 1980s. Comes with case and even a little piece of leather which I think is meant to be rested on your knee lol. It has a very strong sound particularly when you play chords. It is a super strong player and perfectly in tune. 7 fold bellows. c drone on left hand side. Interestingly the initials B.J. are in the fretwork. Geoff Crabb told me it was probably made for an American customer who requested these initials. Contact me by message or email at timdaly1990@gmail.com for more pictures or sound. All the best TD Edit: donation to concertina.net is implicit in post, with thanks

Hi all, I'm looking to buy a concertina in need of repair. Preferably a lachenal but would be interested in any apart from the cheaper accordion reeded models.

Thanks Alex, much appreciated.

Hi all, Considering purchasing a 26 button Jeffries anglo if I ever come across one again. I have been told that they are not just a 30 button with the low E and A removed on left hand and right hand equivalent. Does a chart exist that explains the layout? Are they standard across these instruments? Best, Tim

Sorry Jeremy thanks for your reply, instrument has been sold, outside of the realms of concertina.net. Thanks all.

Hi Mary have sent you a message. Thanks

Hi all, I had this for sale before but couldn't go through with it so here I am again having to be disciplined and brutal. https://www.donedeal.ie/brassandwind-for-sale/charles-jeffries-concertina-in-c-g/32157961 All the best, Tim

Hi all, You may or may not remember I had a Jeffries 32 button with black bellows for sale here in early 2021. After I invested in the instrument I found I was not liking it as much as I could. It had a "drier" sound than I had imagined. I also considered that I hadn't played enough concertinas and had possibly been in a rush to get one so should have shopped around more. However at the time, there was only a couple of places to go due to lockdowns etc. I eventually took it down and decided to wait until I had played it with others a lot. While I found it cut through the sound of the session very well compared to my old Crabb, I still am not totally enamoured with it as I feel I should be. I have now compared it with a couple of other Jeffries and the buttons on mine are not as instantly responsive and sensitive or yielding. It is still a spectacular concertina but it just isn't 100% what I am looking for. However I would like to ask those with experience if this is something that comes with time. It had had some refurbishment and new bellows by the time it came to me. Will the springs loosen and the bellows unstiffen a bit with lots of play? Could it be a bad mistake to part with it? My mind is in two places: begin a journey to sell, trade or upscale it in search of a superior Jeffries or to shop around and think of other concertinas. Any input appreciated and sorry to be repeating myself to some extent. Best, Tim

https://www.gumtree.com/p/other-instruments/english-concertina-for-quick-sale-in-north-london-/1419381104 Hi folks, please see link above and attached pics. Open to offers from my fellow concertina enthusiasts on this site. I bought this instrument some time ago but have only made it over to London to my brother who has been minding it for me since receiving it in the post. To be honest this was a lockdown purchase and am going home to Ireland on Sunday morning and have decided I am better off focusing on the anglo. However it has a really good sound and is a robust instrument and the case is beautiful. If I could sell it before then, that would be great, and if not, my brother can facilitate the sale in the Camden Town area to anyone who might be keen.

Hi again all, sorry to bump this topic but here are a few pictures of the inside of this crabb

Also Hohner comes with case?

Hi, would you have any videos or sound files of the Hohner, and would you ship to Ireland? If not, I have someone in the UK who can accept it. Thanks. Tim

Daniel, I will open it up today and get back to you. Thanks for the response.

Jimmy, thanks so much. And Alex too for your valuable information. I am in Ireland unfortunately but when things open up again, I may give you a bell. Tim

Thanks Bill.

Hi all, I have two vintage concertinas which would initially have had gold tooling on the right and left of the bellows. They have new black bellows and they do have the papers stuck on the inside of the bellows but no lovely tooling. Is this something that can be done retroactively, or can fresh leather be substituted on top? I have been warned that seeing doubled-over leather on a concertina bellows can suggest a lack of quality or damage over time, but I would see it as different if I got it done to one I already own and play. All the best, Tim

Thanks ever so much Bill, much appreciated. So that would bring it closer to the value of most Crabbs you see? (€4-5000 in Ireland anyway)

Hi all, The owner of this instrument has kindly offered to sell it to me. He asked me to say what I thought a fair price was so I want to harvest some research. It is not the usual Crabb you see. I haven't seen the pattern on the metal ends before, but I could be wrong. The owner suggested that it may be a different model which was repaired by Crabb or through his shop in some way, hence the stamp. Anglo, C/G Bellows - according to owner, bellows are not best quality, but they play fine to me, I like the action. No drone Made in 1950's according to owner, who bought it from Crabb (the younger?) in the shop in Islington in the 1970's. Attached is an image of it next to a Jeffries and Lachenal. It is slightly chunkier than both, and the heaviest out of the 3. Any and all information and a suggested value appreciated. Tim