Lawrence Reeves

Custy's Music in Ennis has a canvas case with padding for 2 concertinas. Lightweight, but still protective.

In the past had a Shakespeare 38 button C/G, and a 20 button Lachenal Bb/ F, and a 20 button Ab/ Eb. I briefly had a nice Wheatstone metal ended English, but I couldn't get used to the fingering. My current instruments are Suttner A4 in Ebony C/G, a Suttner A 32 Bb/ F in rosewood, along with a C Jeffries metal ended Ab/ Eb. I have played numerous Jeffries, Wheatsones, and most modern makers instruments. All of my instruments in 1/5 comma mean tuning.

I will say 22 a good idea if budget restricted. Even in the 30 button world, personally prefer a Jeffries layout to have push and pull C# notes. Not sure what a 26 button Jeffries has on the C#s, but think to play comfortably the concept of push and pull C# essential. Some tunes lend to a push, others a pull. The extra hardware on the bottom notes, and same for highest on right hand not essential to play most melodies in ITM. I do need low G or A through high C and C# though.

I love my Suttner A4 C/G and my A2 Bb/ F

I suggest ordering direct from Suttner. His waiting list isn’t long by comparison. Those are amazing sounding and responsive instruments. .

Good to know David.

I have been going to Clare for years to attend Irish concertina festivals. Eigse Mrs. Crotty, the Concertina Cruinniú, and Consairtín. How many people here would like to see a similar event in North America?I would never want to take away from the events in Ireland, but think a fair number of players in North America could enjoy a get together on this side of the Atlantic. Please chime in if you think it a good idea, and direct message me if wanting to be involved with planning.

I owned a 38 key Shalespeare with the same pattern for years. I wish I had a need for them.

True Jim, I sell high performance home audio as a career and natural sound is very important. I know that many people play casually or occasionally on a stage or pub gig, and the cost of top shelf microphones are not a good investment. I associate to relative cost of 2 or 3 nice concertinas as the subject that I am trying to amplify to an audience, and want something that delivers a consistent sound to the audience. The AKGs are very nice for the price, and the DPAs are significantly better.

I use AKG C 516mls then into a battery powered preamp for most performances. I totally feel better about not being locked in between 2 boom stands. I am upgrading as soon as I feel like live shows happening again. I will be purchasing DPA 4099s and I have a rack mount dual channel mic preamp. It requires AC power, so will be exploring a few options for battery powered preamp. I also will keep the AKG setup for smaller venues or easier to travel.

Made by Greg Jowaisas

Currently with Jeffries Ab / Eb and Suttner Bb / F

My version. Been all over the US, and to Ireland for 17 years. Center compartment holds chargers, mic preamp, eyeglass cleaner, sunglasses, passport, occasional flask, humidity tracker, and now an Apple Airtag to replace the Tile tracker.

I played one years ago. Had that big sound, was fast as could be.