Robin Harrison

Gold IS used for springs (as a high noble alloy) so one could assume it would be suitable for reed tongues. I'm curious to know just what "justly proportioned quality of tone" means . Robin

I live about 20 minutes fronm Paris (Ontario ,Canada !!) I'd love you to come over and play some Bach with me. Also,have a wonderful new year. Robin.

Dave,while I completely agree with your concern about fine instruments being broken, why are you concerned about instruments going for export (from England) ? They are after all being exported to people who will play them. Regards Robin

.......I think some people are confused by the CCAD subject and the root of it lies in the word "disorder" It is NOT a disorder, it is thus; we are all of us born imperfect and need a concertina to become perfect ( because it's a perfect instrument ). Now this is the crux of it.................some of us are born more imperfect than others and so need more..............well, you can work the rest of it out. It's kind of like taking viatmins! PS........and it only by trolling eBay do I realize just how imperfect I am.

Peter,what was the concertina she was playing ? Doesn't look like an old one,but did she play since she was young ? Robin

I once lent a two row melodeon to a friend and didn't give him any instructions............he learnt some tune with the box "wrong way round" and seemed to do fine !! BTW,Geoff,Richard Harrison is both my father and my sons name....who is your Richard H. ?

Took a teenager to do this ,but here we are.

...... ...but where would you see it. The concertina has no oval aperture. I have another 1870 English ,very similar,that has ovals at both ends and the badge and serial number are glued on the the leather baffle. Robin

I've just come across an old Wheatstone English treble .The first thing I noticed was there was no oval on the left hand side where you usually see the serial number.The reed pans are stamped 3203 which I assume IS the serial number which would date it to about 1850. Was it common to have no external S/N marking at that time? When did they start to display them ? Anyone have any information ? Robin

...gotcha..I put in British Pathe News.I should just have put in Pathe.

I haven't yet looked for this site,but others may remeber it was posted in ?? 2001 or 2002 featuring the Wheatsone company showing their production process and Harry Minting playing an exquisite Amboyna English piccolo.I've searched the archives on this site but nothing comes up.Does this ring a bell with anyone?

I often wonder if it's OK to blow/suck thro' the reed to make it speak to check them. Is there a problem with moisture leading to rust ? Any thoughts ?

......also under Links click on David Leese...springs 40pence each.

I found out in my twenties that my grandmother had a Lachenal (student) concertina in her wardrobe that she had bought in the 40's.I never heard her play.My brother took it to pieces to restore it but lost interest so it got deep sixed.I still have the Wheatstone tutor she had and have used it. My dad,who is 80 this year, still has an active country dance band ,The Perfect Cure, in which he plays piano accordion.He's a retired physician.

Jim,was it Michael Hibbert.?..I 've just got from Mark Davies,Concertina's at Bradfield 2002 ( and had it converted from imperial to metric ) and he performs as described.His music is fantastic....he plays a piece by Elgar and at the end plays something called Double Quadrille going into the Dam Busters theme...a complete tour de force.

My kids go to see a grunge punk band called "Sewing with Nancy"..................I love that name........................................... ................... and also a great Boston roots punk band called the "Dropkick Murphys".....featuring punk Highland Bagpipes. I really quite enjoy them for about 4 minutes.

Hi Ken...inside or outside or both. ? Robin

Got it...thanks. Back to my other query;difference between an Aeola and my "deluxe non-Aeola" I'm comparing it to my 48key treble Aeola (#31268-1926) and there is no obvious difference in quality...I'm wondering if it's the reeds although that is not supported by the sound ; would the octo versus hex shape be a factor?

Number 25623 No special notations. I was interested to know because although it needs a complete restoration including cleaning and tuning with new springs,pads ,valves etc and replacing all the molding around the ends, from the maybe 20 notes that do play, it has the most amazing tone.Its outstanding and I wondered how this English differed from the supposedly better Aeola.It certainly does have a powerful tone. I had heard that there were non-octagonal Aeola's but can't remeber where I saw this. Robin

Can any one tell me if there is a place to find out.I've tried the seach facility on this site,tried the old price lists on the Mccann site ( mainly duets)....no luck. I've got a 1912 Hex,metal ended(domed) Wheatstone ,Model No 24 and I want to know what it means. Thanks Robin

Yes Tom , this is something I've noticed on my concertinas and it drives me nuts....you end up trying to avoid that one particular note This was happening to one note on a treble Aeola and I suspected it was how the reed was set......I'm lucky enough to live close to a repair person (Reads Reeds in Toronto) ; he re-set the reed and it sounds like all the others now. A very simple fix. I can't find my copy of the excellent Dave Elliot repair book so I can't remember if he addresses re-setting reeds. Regs Robin BTW...your web site is fascinating !

Hi Eric...I have a Wheatsone baritone English concertina,made in 1912, for a clown who performed in a circus in Paris, France, as part of a duo.It had guilt ends so it would be quite eye-catching. I know no more than that but it's intriguing ....it would be fascinating to try to discover what his act was. Regs Robin

I welcome these "pointers".....they are invariably respectful,informative etc.If they were posted on the the General Concertina Discussion I would suggest they were more appropriately posted here.I can't see why they would offend .....if you're not looking to buy, you won't see them; if you are , they are always genuine and usually good quality concertinas. A point to wonder is whether those who DO successfully sell their instrument on eBay also contribute to this site as well as paying their eBay fee. Robin

This is a scam.I've reported it. Robin

......Old 3/2 tune in Barnes....."Barham Down" ; first bar ,second part .........................try to keep tapping your foot as you play it !