Tom Ryan

My box is no 26484, manufactured on June 30, 1914, It's a Tenor-Treble Aeola, 56 keys, model 19. It has a range of four octaves up from the C below middle C. 6-fold bellows; wrist straps; 7and a quarter inches across the flats, and a weight of 3lbs 13oz. Hope this helps. Tom

Just retired after thirty years in both English teaching and administration in the two community colleges (one French, one English) in Sudbury, Ontario. I'm planning to play my EC more now. Tom Ryan

Perhaps a lesser-known name, but a fine musician all the same , is Sean McMahon of Ennis, the young man wearing glasses who is seated next to Sonny Murray. I met Sean McMahon in Toronto in the early 80's when he came to Canada for Comhaltas to give a series of lessons, mainly in Western Canada. He is also a fine uilleann piper. Tom Ryan

I'm pretty busy with other things at the moment. I'm teaching one last course before retiring, so it may be a while before I get to the box. BTW, the C buttons on mine are (or were) red. It's just that wear has taken the red off the tops. Interesting set of posts here. Tom

Thanks, Neil Another Cnet member has suggested Nickolds in a pm. In another pm, a member has strongly suggested Rock Chidley. I hope to know more when I open the concertina. Tom

I stand corrected - a B below middle C it is. Thanks. Tom Isn't that a B below middle C on the right hand side making it two octaves plus two notes? Have you looked at the web page http://www.concertina.com/chambers/lachenal-production/index.htm. From the pictures on that page it doesn't look like a Lachenal, but a 32 button one is listed in their catalogue.

The 32-key concertina arrived today. I hadn't realized it would be so small! I have attached some photos, showing each end, the label, the serial number, and the bellows. The range is from middle C up two octaves plus one note, thus ending on a D. As you can see, there is lots of cracking in the veneer. I can't tell anything about the tuning because there is one note which is sounding continuously, making it impossible to use a tuner. I tried very gently to open an end, but the old screws have very narrow slots, so only a jeweller's screwdriver will fit and it is not giving much torque. I certainly don't want to force anything. So at the moment I can't see if the interior will give me any clue as to the maker. Perhaps some of our concertina historians can deduce something from the pictures. Judging by the serial number, it doesn't appear to be a Wheatstone, since the Horniman ledgers show 1201 as a 48-key instrument. I would appreciate any advice about opening up the ends because I don't want to do any damage. Tom Ryan

Of course, he wouldn't be the first hack in Fleet Street, would he? Couldn't resist that one. Tom Ryan

My thanks to all who have replied to my question. I have bought the instrument and I am awaiting delivery. At that time I'll take more photos and post them. Jim, I did mention photos, but I had 'room' for only one. I'll get my son to show me how to post more (I suppose I'll need to re-size them). However, none of the pictures the seller sent showed the left side. Maybe I am in for a rude surprise! Tom

The concertina in the photos is for sale at an antique store about 300 miles from me (not a huge distance by Canadian standards). I have not seen it, but a friend told me about it and I had the store send me these pictures. The label says "R. Hack, 174 Fleet Street, London, England" I assume this is the dealer and not a manufacturer. I am thinking about buying this concertina, but I would like to know what make it is if at all possible, so I would appreciate any help folks on the forum could give me.n Hope the pictures show ok. I've not done this before. Cheers, Tom Ryan

I recently came across this link on the Chiff and Fipple Forum on Free Reed instruments. http://www.akkordeonwerkstatt.ch/ While they are obviously primarily accordeon makers, they do appear to make a concertina. I say "appear" because I can't read German, so it's my assumption that they make them rather than re-badge them or act as agents for someone else. Of course, I am open to correction. Apologies if they have been mentioned on this thread before. I looked and could not find them, but my eyes aren't as good as they used to be. Tom Ryan

Gush away. Given your circumstances, I'd say more than your ego was boosted. It sounds wonderful. Good luck with the therapy. I had radiation therapy (for Hodgkins) and I am now in my twentieth year being cancer-free. I don't know you, but I'll be thinking about you and pulling for you. Cheers, Tom Ryan

Add me , Tom Ryan, to the list. I play Irish traditional on a 56-key Aeola. I live in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada,where there is another EC player (both Aeola and 48-key Treble) who plays in a range of styles, sometimes joining my friends and me on our favourite Irish pieces. Tom

To my taste, a good example of Irish slow air playing on Anglo is "Cearchall Ban Mo Chroi" (I'm on a French keyboard and can't get the accents for the Irish) played by Gearoid O'hAllmhurain on the album Tracin' which he and Patrick Ourceau made. There is some bellows shake, but it's restrained and the air is beautiful. Tom Ryan

Ryan If memory serves me well, Ted McGraw is an experienced anglo player who is a leading light in the Irish community in Rochester. He has a web site which you can google easily. This might be a good place to start. Tom Ryan

Problem now solved, ironically in the simplest possible way, by using Internet Explorer instead of Mozilla. Too soon old; too late smart, that's me. Thanks for all your suggestions. Tom Ryan

Many thanks to all. I'll try those options. Once again Concertina.net stands out as the home of civility and helpful folks. Tom

Hi folks I'm hoping someone can help me get the picture on TG4's archived videos. I can get the sound alright, but can't get the video. I have a new computer with Vista Home Basic, and have not been able to get the picture since I set it up. I'd be grateful for any ideas on how I can fix the problem, as I love to watch these shows. Thanks, Tom Ryan

I always play sitting down, TT resting on my left knee. never use the wrist straps. Tom Ryan

There's some nice concertina playing from Noel Kenny on the latest Geantrai on TG4, in company with Gary Hastings on flute and a bouzouki player whose name I could not catch. Tom Ryan

Well, here in Northern Ontario, where I live, there are still trappers around, so the "era of trapping" hasn't ended yet. Tom Ryan

Stephen Booth's 2003 mystery novel, Blind to the Bones, set in the Peak District of England, features a Border Morris side called the Border Rats, whose members are principally from one family which features prominently in the plot. One of the important characters plays concertina in the band which plays for the dancers. According to the author's foreword, he learned about Border Morris through the Black Pig Border Morris side from Nottinghamshire.

With regard to lessons, once you acquire a concertina, you should try to put yourself in touch with Karen Light in Toronto, which is not that far from you. As well as being an excellent whistle player and teacher, Karen plays ITM on Anglo. I don`t have her contact information handy, but one suggestion I have is to go to the Chris Langan weekend in Toronto next month, and you`re sure to find Karen there. Besides, you`ll have a great time listening to some wonderful musicians and taking part in good sessions. Cheers, Tom Ryan

Daniel, I'm pretty sure it's Michael O'Raghallaigh. He was on the program for the festival and the style is certainly like his. We're not close enough in the video to be certain, but I'm pretty sure. Tom Ryan I really liked the Hohner. Feels how difficult it is to play the instrument, but the sound is surprizingly good. Full bodied and with the character. And I confess, I liked the look of the concertina. With all the metal inforcements - very cool. Too bad the good ones don't have this kind of adornment.

Last night's Geantrai TV program on TG4 was hosted by Noel Hill from a pub in Corofin in County Clare. There's great playing by Noel and also some wonderful flute and fiddle playing by such players as Kevin Crawford, James Cullinane, Peadar O'Loghlin, Maeve Donnelly, and others. It's fabulous music. A wonderful bonus is that at the beginning of the program, there's a short clip of a very young Noel playing on a television program, and seated next to him, though not playing, is none other than Seamus Ennis, whom I assume was the host of that show. You can access the program by Googling TG4 and following the web tv link to "Ceol - Cartlann" The Geantrai program is dated yesterday, January 9. (All the speaking is in Irish.) Enjoy. Tom