ScoEck

Thank you all for the suggestions. After further research and questions on other forums I’ve decided to exclude the Chemnitzer based mostly off the type of music I want to play. I’m still leaning towards the Hayden because the format makes sense to me, though I have no practical experience with it. I’ve downloaded the Hayden concertina app on my iPad and am tinkering with it, though it’s weird to cant my arms out to use the buttons. So I’ve narrowed it down to the Hayden, Maccan or a baritone English. For my budget I would like to try the Elise in order to save my funds for a higher quality instrument later, and I understand the limits of trading up in Haydens in the future. I fully anticipate that I will outgrow the Elise and will have to go with the troubadour or peacock from CC or some other version. The only reason why I’m considering the English still is due to the higher availability of instruments and training tools. Also, one last thing I forgot to mention: about 3 years ago I had carpal tunnel surgery on my wrists. Will playing with a wrist strap and the positioning of the hand on a duet prove to cause me discomfort? Will thumb straps on a English allow for more free movement of my wrists? i know the danger in asking this question, but am I making the right choice? Right now I am simply wanting to learn and play on my own and within the musical whims already stated above.

So I have been doing some research for the past 2 or so months on which type I would like to start with. I am new to learning music, finding a new way to relax after my Dr told me no more impact sports if I want to keep my original knees. I have tampered with harmonica and piano in the past and am good at it, though I still have difficulty in reading sheet music. My ears can't take the high pitch of the harmonica so close anymore, so I am looking for something with a little more baritone in it. I am not interested in anglo, as I don't intend to play irish or any type of rapid fire tempo. I will mostly play solo as I learn and become more accomplished; occasionally I may play accompiment alongside a piano with my wife or acoustic guitar with my brother-in-law. Im leaning towards the hayden duet (Stagi 46) because of the solo work and I like the idea of high and lows separated. The chemnitzer is also intresting and is adaptable, but a bit larger than I am looking for. The english is only in there because its common and seemingly easier to find a learner 30-40 button than a hayden, but I'm not sold on it. I intend to eventually play slower ballads, contemporary covers of christian worship music, some waltzes, covers of piano classical pieces, blues, covers of some seasonal songs and maybe some faster tempo rock covers (if I am ever able to get there). With all that in mind, what do you recommend? My max working budget is $1,000-1,200. Any help from more seasoned people is appreciated.