toshea

I understand from this Forum, that hybrid instruments are those made with Italian produced accordian reeds. Hybrid instruments are not necessarily inferior but they do have a different sound than concertinas made with concertina reeds.

I recently received my new Kensington concertina the other day and I'm extremely happy with it. It is beautifully made. The wood body is subtly detailed with a dovetail wood construction and a great finish The end plates have a unique molded effect on the edges which is striking. The hand rests are curved which makes the playing extra comfortable. I like the measured proportions of the bellows and they are well made. The sound is very bright and clear and the action is consistant throughout all the buttons and the spring pressures allow for fast and easy playing. I have not opened it up to look inside yet as I am too busy playing it. It definitely is in a much better and completely different category than, as you all call them, hybrid instruments, not the least reason in that Dana hand makes his own concertina reeds. I am comparing it to my assortment of other instruments including a couple of vintage and couple of hybrids. It was a pleasure dealing with Dana and it was definitely worth the wait!

Definitely an Anglo; no-one would play a proper concertina like that! Looks like the "musician's" hands have been glued to the ends of the instrument. Maybe it was a very special concertina that didn't survive! A concertina with no buttons and just one note! You just pushed in and out and got the same note. It was not a great success!!!!!!

Can some one please tell me what type of concertina is being played on this site. It is english or anlgo? I think it is english but I can't quite see. And what key is the instrument. It sure has a pretty sound! Thanks, Tim

"There, it has nothing to do with metallurgy, of course - but the messge is the same. " John, Only want to put metallergy back in the mix where it belongs. I feel that metallergic changes over time are a significant factor to be considered in assessing progression in reed sound. Wood and bellows and player are, of course, important also, but remember that the reed actually initiates the sound. Regards, Tim

John and Dirge, There is a metallergic effect on metals and you are incorrect to say that it is not the case. And Dirge, in regards to violins, it is established that the sound quality changes of the vintage, rare instruments, are partly dueto the aging effects of the wood and varnish. It is not just your playing technique! You should not disregard all science! Tim

The answer is that the sound of a reed changes over time because the metal actually ages and becomes a very tiny bit more brittle and stiff. Likewise it is well known that auto sheet metal ages after only a period of over 5 years and has less strength and becomes more brittle. Autos in accidents in later years sustain more damage, studies have shown. As the reed becomes more brittle and stiff the vibration characteristics change. Which is one possible reason why vintage instruments all have that "sound" and the new "hybred" instruments "may" sound different in the future.

It seems as if you are all "pussyfooting" around! Why is everyone so afraid of insulting each other. Just come and say what you want to say! And I am Tim O'Shea!

To add to the "can of worms": I feel it is unfortunate that some important concertina players and certain persons who have responded to this thread have in the past referred to hybrid concertinas as "concertina shaped accordians"! Now for those who can't affort right now a hugely expensive Jeffries or Wheatstone that is quite an insult!!!!!!!!!!! And further, why do you have to refer to the reeds in hybrids as "accordian reeds". When they are produced and sold to Edgely, etc, are they produced with the intent of their being placed in accordians or concertinas? Or when Edgley makes his changes and tuning to the reeds are thy still "accordian reeds"? Speak to me!

I agree. Frank's instructinal CDs and books have been very helpful for the basics and beyond. His DVD should be a benchmark!

Let me present a wild guess on that one. The DVD would be for anglo and played using concertinas constructed by Frank Eddgely himself!

Its all right, Richard. You still have the best concetinas money can buy!

Yea, like a bellows and buttons!? Toshea, if as your membership status might indicate, you are new to the concertina, (like me, I got my first one in May of this year...) you don't need to sleight Mr. Tedrow's product...it's got an excellent reputation and he's one of the more flamboyantly innovative of the current crop of masters...I've been lucky enough to have had my hands on one and compared to both the ebay chinese cheapies ( priced at less than $200) and vintage Lachenal 20b basic student models (Priced at $300 unrestored or $500-650 restored) I've got, it was like a swiss watch compared to a cheap alarm clock. His $1850 basic model needs no options to be worthy of respect in any musical setting, and in this marketplace has proven to be worth the price as far as his customers are concerned. I really did not mean to slight Mr. Tedrow's concertinas. I was being flip in my comment and apologize for that. I guess I'm not yet familiar with the rules of etiquet and behavior here. Anyway, I do appreciate all the information all of you have provided on this basic subject. Thanks, Tim

Chris, Except that the concertina reeds have brass shoes and are screwed in and the accordian reeds have aluminium shoes and are revited in, are there other differences? Thanks, Tim

Thankyou for the information.