Steven Hollander

I think that another issue that can be considered is that there are differences within makers which include date it was made, model/grade of instrument. I have a 1914 6-sided Wheatstone english with raised ebony ends and metal buttons. Yesterday I got together with a friend who has a 1960's wheatstone english with metal buttons and flat metal ends (it seemed that it is aluminum) I found that my concertina played faster/smoother, and had more volume and a much different tone than my friends. In the past I owned a a 1920's wheatstone english with flat metal ends and metal buttons which I beleive was not as responsive,etc as my 1914 (current) english.

Peter- This is somewhat off the original post,but I would like to take the opportunity to say how much I enjoyed this recording. I enjoyed the relaxed pace and tightness of the playing, and the great tune selection. The more years I play and listen to dance tunes the more I enjoy hearing tunes being played without accompaniment from rhythmn instruments as it allows the "internal rhythmn " and "groove" and phrasing of each tune speak for themselves. I want to add that the combination of pipes and concertina is one of my favorites. --- Steven

Thank you all for your replies and good advice which I will use when I get the ends back. It is helpful to know that I did a few correct things before sending it off for repairs such as laying out which screw go in which hole, and having jewler's screwdrivers on hand. I'd like to add an additonal question: A friend advised (some years ago) to put some parafine wax on the threads to provide lubrication when tightening the screws which can also aid the reverse. Is this good advice? I have used this technique on some of my other concertinas and it seemed to work well--Steven

Are there any guidelines about how tight/loose the endbolt screws should be? Can mistakes be made by how tight/loose you adjust the screws? If too loose, will it lose air more quickly or if too tight can it damage the ends; ie - cause the sides to warp. I am asking this question because I have sent the endplate units to get repairs done on the button mechanisms ( I still have the bellows and reeds/reedplate). I just got word that the repairs are done and the ends are on the way back. I want to make sure that I reattach them properly with the right amount of torque (or what ever that term is?)> any help would be greatly appreciated- Steven

I got my copy the other day and listened to it all weekend. All I can say is WOW!! GROOVY!! I have been really enjoying it. The variety of players, styles and tunes along with the sound quality is quite outstanding. There is not a dud on the CD. My interest and exposure in Anglo playing is mostly Irish, so I appreciate the exposure to the other possibilities of Anglo playing-- I also aprreciated the way the various styles were organized on each CD which added to the fun of listening. I can't say enough good things about this CD. Alan Day, et al ;--thanks much for your hard work in releasing this project. --- Steven

I started off my musical life on the 5-string banjo (clawhammer-style) over thirty years ago-About 20 years ago, I was playing in a contra dance band, and tried playing jigs and other Irish tunes on the banjo but I didn't think it fit. Around this time, I met a person who was passing through town that played a Wheatstone English. I feel in love with that "sound". I was hooked on wanting to play the concertina. I bought a Bastari (accordian reeded EC). It was okay to start on but didn't have that "sound" I had fallen in love with. I then got a "vintage" Wheatstone EC. Which I still play and love. About 6-7 years ago I thought about getting a button accordian to play Irish music. But after going to a festival and hearing someone play a Jefferies Anglo-I bagged getting an accordian--because I was once again drawn to that "concertina sound" , so I bought a Herrington c/g. Although I have enjoyed the Herrington, it did not have that "sound". So, I ordered a Dipper, and it came, recently. (see my new post). I'm thrilled because it has that "sound", although it is quite different than the sound of my Wheatstone EC (no better or worse,just different). So, to stay to the subject at hand, I quess the issue for me is that what drew me and still draws me to the concertina is that "sound" of the "traditional/english/vintage" reed instruments. The other allure of playing the concertina or any other bellowed free-reed instrument is how cool and fun they are to play--to quote an accordian player friend of mine: " Once you have gone bellows, there is no turning back"--Steven--

My Dipper came about 3 weeks ago-Unfortunately< I had to suddenly leave town, 2 days after it arrived due to a family emergency. I got back about 10 days ago and I haven't put it down since arriving home. It is an 8-sided 32-button c/g anglo with raised wooden ends, walnut that came from the dashboard of an old Bentley. It's what Colin called his "Bentley Cottswold" model. I had originally ordered a County Clare model but I have always loved the look of the Wheatstone Aeolian so I changed my order--I'm glad I did-it's a beautiful looking instrument and has an incredible tone with a much balanced sound. The playability and response are quite good. I will likely get a further appreciation of this as my playing of the instrument improves. I cannot say enough about how happy I am with it. Colin is a wonderful craftsman and a wonderful person to work with. It was totally worth the wait!!!

No such luck. You did get it right, so now you're going to have to do some posting. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well, my next step I guess will be to fix my spelling ( i.e.- submitted= not summited!) Well perhaps my excuse is that I have been a banjo player far longer than a concertina player?)--In response to Jim= Hopefully my next post will be to announce the arrival of my new DIPPER ANGLO><<YAHOO YIPPEE>> Yep-it's in its final stages of tuning and tweeking. I have sent Colin my $, I'm just waiting for a case to be made as the person who makes the cases has recently broken his arm--THE NERVE OF HIM!!! (HA! HA!!-just kidding)

I have recently bought a CD of "Grand Picnic" which is the Contra Dance band in which Jody Kruskal is the Anglo Player. I had the tape but wore it out but I found this CD through the Button Box. It's a wonderful recording, and YES Jody Kruskal is a fine player. I highly recommend this CD if you are into this genre of music. ..(PS- I hope I sumitted this post properly this time??--if not, I guess I just stick to reading the forum and playing tunes!!)

I had the wonderful pleasure of seeing/hearing Raynauld Ouellet in concert and at worshops. I think he's the finest Qubecois melodean I ever heard. I don't play melodean but attending his workshop just to hear him play up close. The point of mentioning this is that he makes the most beautiful and nicest sounding melodeans I have heard. Someone in this thread mentioned that they are interested in Quebecois Melodeans: well he would be the one to buy one from.I remember the cost was extremely reasonable.--Steven

Any relation to the English standard, Soldier's Joy? I have an idea that the tune Redwing is another tune common both sides of the pond, but really I know diddly about bluegrass. Are there many tunes in common? Chris Are there many tunes in common? There are a few jigs that are played as reels/hoedowns in old time music: "New Rigged Ship"(jig) is "Green Willis/the Raw Recruit" ,and "Patsy Geary" (Jig:a-part) is the "Yellow Rose of Texas". Also, an Irish reel: "Bonaparte Crossing the Rockies" ( sometimes played as a march and/or hornpipe) is played as an fiddle tune in old time music sessions. And- --I know ther are a few others but I can't recall them right now.

The way to know that the floor is level is to see if the concertina player is drooling out of both sides of his mouth---

During the past 6 months or so, I have been doing gigs with my wife. I've been playing English concertina,bodhran,bones and 5-string banjo,and Ruth plays celtic harp and fiddle. We play a fair amount of English Country dance (Playford-type ) tunes,some O'Carolyn tunes and some Irish/Scottish hornpipes, jigs,etc; and old time Appalachian fiddle -banjo tunes. It's been a wonderful treat,and cool how much variation of arrangements,and sounds we can get. I think the combination of harp and concertina is a great sound. We both play in a few larger bands,but this duet thing has been a special treat for us.--Steven ----Also, Waltz tunes of all musical genres work well on English Concertina.

Wes--thanks for info-Steven