Ken_Coles

In some sense, much of the "concertina videos and music" forum consists of recordings or performances by folks here -- that's the scale of activity over time.

I was in York in 2018 and certainly had my eyes open for music shops, perhaps Banks was already gone then? Mine? All the music shops of my youth in L.A. (all now gone), Carl Fischer sheet music shop in N.Y. City (long gone), the Button Box. Ken

Give Wim a call. My impression is that he wants his instruments to work properly (like all the makers I can think of) and I'm sure he would give you prompt and helpful advice. Of course you're about to get all sorts of advice from the folks here too. I'm sure someone will get it sorted for you... Ken

IIRC the late Rich Morse said he had to do this twice a year on his Wheatstone Hayden (reset all the reeds), at the start and end of the dry heating season. Ken

People buy and sell here all the time and you are certainly welcome to do so. Not every instrument or listing will get an immediate response, or posts by other members. No judgment, positive or negative, is intended or implied. Paul Schwartz, the owner of this site, does ask for a small contribution in the event of a successful sale (rather less than selling on ebay will cost; see the pinned thread on Buy and Sell). It helps pay for the server space that we provide for free to users. Personally I play anglo so I don't have any wisdom for you. I have encountered later Lachenals that resemble this one and they can be nice players. Are the reeds brass or steel? That is pretty basic to the potential value and uses. Best of luck with your choices/sale. Ken

When I did my survey years ago, IIRC the only ones I encountered in such unusual keys were german instruments. But one thing I learned is that nearly everything is lurking out there somewhere, it just may be very uncommon. Edited to add: Since I wrote that, I've seen examples of Lachenals where the stamps on the reed shoes are in "relative C/G" and not the pitches of the reeds, so I would no longer assert that the reed shoes were always stamped with the intended pitch. Ken

The diagram of the Elderly box looks to me like a standard C/G where the person making the diagram has put the left and right hands in the opposite of the usual positions (but labeled the right as left and vice versa)? Ken

When I was in Stoke two decades ago (missed connecting with Chris A., which probably saved me a lot of money) I toured the museum that preserves a huge bottle oven of the sort where they used to fire the pottery (Staffordshire, after all, isn't it?). An interesting bit of history I knew nothing about. Ken

I happened to talk to Doug today and told him I would drink a toast to the Button Box tonight, which I did. Thank you for all you at the BB have given us since Rich started it up thirty-odd years ago. Ken

Joey, You might add what continent/region of the world you are in. We have folks from all over here, and proximity can encourage a potential buyer. Regards, Ken

I don't know where you are, but where I live (northeastern US) at least one local locksmith still copies these type of keys. Mind you, it takes a day as he has to file the notches out by hand, but mine (for a family house) have worked fine. Check in your area. Ken

Yes, I finally did it last year after being remiss for too long, and it is indeed fun. Do consider signing up. Ken

My jazz teacher, who played saxophone, clarinet, and flute in Los Angeles years ago, told a story once. A fellow musician did an experiment and taught a student the C# major scale first, working both ways around the circle of fifths until C was the last major scale taught. Sure enough, the student thought C# easiest and C the hardest! Only one case, but who knows? 😎 Ken

OK folks, opinions gently and tactfully expressed please! Dear OP - there are many opinions on this so you won't get a consensus. You will get lots of ideas from folks about what works for them. Welcome to the crazy world of concertinas (and concertina players). Ken

Bob Tedrow, although he is not currently building instruments, sometimes has some for sale at Homewood Musical Instruments in Homewood, Alabama. Some of the repair folks (notably Greg Jowaisas, a member here) often have repaired old concertinas on sale. It has never been a big market - Button Box was amazing for making a go of it for so many years doing pretty much just concertinas and buttons accordions. I don't know if anyone else is "major;" generally they are quite small by (say) guitar standards. Chris Algar in England (Barleycorn Concertinas) is easily the largest dealer in the world, has a large stock, and is very forthright to deal with. Imports from outside the US, however, are notably slow at times lately, especially getting through US Customs. Ken