David Helmore

... and just to add, I do have of soft spot for George Jones concertinas, so am a little biased : )

All good points! Worth also bearing in mind that Jones made a range of models of concertina - I have seen more variations of Jones anglos than in the range of Lachenal anglo models... you've also got the impact of how it has been looked after in its long life and how well it has been set up at present... Like Malcolm mentioned in the other thread though, would love to know more about this particular ones history!

Hi Chris Good questions - this is my personal view based on the ones I have worked on over the years (several of which I have kept) 1) Was it common or indeed did it ever happen at all that a Jones 20 key would have bushed buttons? Some of them did - the 20/30 key ones I have seen were later (or instruments with higher serial numbers in the 20,000 + range) 2) How good were Jones reeds? I know this might be hard to answer without a reference point but perhaps the answer to this question might suffice; how does a Jones 20 key concertina compare to an equivalent Lachenal? Would they be as loud or as fast, or more so? Every bit as good as Lachenal - just as fast / loud (especially at the upper end of their range). The broad steel reeds (like on yours in the other post) are different though to the steel reeds (not broad steel) on the later Jones instruments I have worked on. My primary concertina is a high serial number 30 key rosewood model (with original bushed keys) that on paper is the same as the 30 key rosewood Lachenal. I haven't played any Lachenal that would make me want to change from the Jones. This particular Jones also gave both a Crabb and Jeffries I have had the pleasure of working on recently a good run for their money!

Heres a comparison with a reedpan of a Jones I worked on a number of years ago. The serial number stamping and 'broad steel reeds' are the giveaway....

Totally agree with all above. Have internal pics of several other Jones if you’re interested in seeing comparisons Dave

I never had the pleasure of meeting Richard, but this is a sad day, especially for all the concertina players in Australia..

Hi Fred I use a similar approach to what Theo has suggested but use fine sawdust instead… I find it works really well!! Before I resort to this though I point an angle poised lamp through the bellows in a darkened room…

Book arrived this morning, looks really good! Just to clarify, it’s for 30 key Wheatstone/Lachenal layout.

Thanks everyone so much for your input - really appreciated. What makes this instrument also of interest as well is the fact that this was one of several concertinas purchased by 'Blagrove', which I'm assuming was Richard Blagrove who was influential in the very early days of concertina history. A special instrument that has revealed just some of its secrets.. : )

Hi all Thought this might of interest to some. This Wheatstone (number 1046) belongs to Chris Rowe and when I took it apart yesterday I almost missed this tiny writing on the left hand reed pan. What I think it says is '(reed) tongues fitted and voiced by Mr Saunders' - would be interested to see if you think it reads the same? I looked up the Wheatstone pay books covering 1845 and saw that there is a Mr Saunders listed - interesting to see that he was potentially doing some of the reed work at that time...

Hi Stephen Thanks for posting this! Here's another one to add to your list - Lachenal 189476 I have since moved it on with some other parts. It was never a complete instrument whilst I owned it - the bellows and frames were missing along with one of the action boards. I do have a few more pics if you need them..

Hi Rod I was one of the under bidders on this one. A few years back I had the same model (as parts) with a serial number very close - it had rusted end bolts and the same reed frames with rusting very similar… and that’s why I didn’t bid higher on this one. If you follow Dave’s book I reckon a lot of the reeds could be saved.. I do have some spare reeds from that parts concertina which cleaned up pretty well in the end so shout out if that’s any help David

That’s great Gary! Thanks so much for scanning that price list too - much appreciated Enjoy!! David

Love these, especially the second one!!

Well done Gary - I was one of the many underbidders! Would love to hear more about it once it arrives with you - enjoy!!