John Sylte

So I've got this wonderful miniature Lachenal, steel ended, bone buttons, originally had 6 bellows. I believe the serial number is 48556. What can you tell me about when it was made?

A few years later… a set of new NINE fold bellows from Sandy Lane Man PO’C, a retune to D/A and extra love from Greg Jowaisas… this is not a toy!

The size of Lachenal reeds are not standardized. I have a good collection of spares myself, and if I line up a few reeds of any one note, some are big and some are small and some are in between. So, a randomly chosen replacement may not fit your reed pan. You may need to pick another one of your reeds (adjacent D or C?) that fits well in the empty slot, and be prepared to send that to whomever you contact for a C# replacement. Just a heads up. I wouldn't mind sending you a C#, but it is likely out of tune. And, I'm not sure what you mean by thumb screws? The brass hand strap screws?

Steel or brass reeds?

I second the recommendation for a twenty button Lachenal. They are affordable and may serve to whet her appetite for a better instrument down the road. And if not then, you haven't spent a fortune. You can play a lot of tunes on a 20 button C/G.

I have a student that is looking for a starter instrument. This would be perfect.

Back in January of 2019 a wonderful little Lachenal miniature came up on eBay. Owning a mini and semi mini already, and being short on money at the time, I told myself it was selfish to want another, and that I couldn’t afford the buy it now price. I made a lower offer, and have regretted it ever since. The price was reasonable and of course it sold to someone else within the hour. These minis are so rare, I feel an obligation to document their existence and was wondering if by chance it was someone on here that bought it? Maybe it’s been fixed up?! If no one speaks up, at least maybe this little unicorn can be remembered and preserved in these photos? I had the wherewithal to take screen shots of the listing photos, but not enough to just buy the darn thing myself. Better luck next time I guess. Can anyone tell me what happened to… or anything about this little treasure?

If only I could print money… I could have so much fun with this little gem. Would love to try it out. Someone will be very lucky.

I bought a mini Lachenal in Eb/Bb that I shared in a post here years ago. After trying to rebuild a set of reeds recently (for a different miniature in C/G), I have theorized that perhaps Eb/Bb is the lowest key practical for such a small reed pan. I haven’t found the Eb/Bb key useful in any sessions though.

I am interested in the 22, 24, and 26 key Lachenals. Could you share pics please?

Oh me gaaaawd, I would love to own this. I have the same semi miniature box in a 20 button, in almost new condition… I could put a different set of reeds in it perhaps for a trade? I love this little guy. I’m in the states.

In a couple weeks I’m going to reply to this post... seems strange right? Why am I posting about posting when I could just post? ?

I would be stoked to find another true miniature Anglo!

And wouldn’t you know... I managed to get my hands on another one. This one a semi miniature in C/G in almost brand new shape.

Wow, Dowright I'm very interested in seeing your other miniatures! I posted my mini 20 button lachenal here in the history section and expected to get more response. Maybe these are pretty common?