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Dave Prebble

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Posts posted by Dave Prebble

  1. Hi Dave,

     

    Fully agree with your post. Keep it simple !

     

    My preference is for an analogue needle meter (as large as possible) and I back this up with a digital display 'needle' meter which also displays cents. This backup allows for a regular calibration check between the two and helps to sort out some of the strange anomalies that occur whilst tuning .... such as a particular meter insisting on latching onto an overtone produced by the reed rather than the fundamental frequency and thus giving false values.

     

    Both are Seiko tuners - one modern and the other 20 or so years old - If one of them were to pack up on me I would hope it would not be the old one.

     

    Mssrs Wheatstone, Lachenal & Jeffries would wonder what we were all fussing on about.

    Their men worked by tuning to a reference reed and with final tuning dependant on the skill, judgement and the ear of the man.

     

    Tuning to 'the nth degree' of accuracy is a pretty pointless exercise that will only result in frayed tempers and a whole heap of iron filings round your feet as you alternate between filing the root and tip of the reed in the pursuit of some imaginary excellence....which btw disappears as soon as the instrument is played with slightly more or less bellows pressure causing some note values to vary (possibly by up to several cents for bass notes) anyway during the course of a playing a tune.

     

    I reckon that strobes belong to the world of the 'music lovers' that frequent Discos and Raves ... or whatever they call them these days... :lol:

     

    Dave Prebble

  2. I can see that the motion to operate a lever is more natural, and as a melodeon player it is one I'm quite used to, albeit with the other hand. What makes me slightly doubtful is that he up-and-down thumb movement required to operate the lever is almost the same as the movement I make to control the tension of the hand strap, whereas the sideways movement on the button doesn't affect the tension.

     

     

    Hi Howard,

     

    Though all of my instruments have standard buttons I have often been called on to fit extended air buttons to anglos - that extra 1/8" makes all the difference for many people.

     

    I wonder if the problem is folks having the handstrap set too tight, thus clamping the thumb down to the rail? I very often have trouble with other folks instruments usually, I suspect, because the handstrap won't adjust to a large enough size to both accommodate my hands and my preference for the half a yard of slack :)

     

    I have tried a couple of Geoff's instruments and it takes about 2 minutes to get used to the lever action. In all I think I prefer it to the standard push button.

     

    Regards

     

    Dave

  3. Hi Al,

     

    I have passed on quite a few copies to folks and they have all been gratefully received.

     

    Your fame is greater than you think ;)

     

    It is a great discipline for those of us who have 3 row boxes, to shut them up in a cupboard for a week and only only play a two row for that time. It makes you think a bit and gets you back to roots. It really does affect how you play when you pick up your main squeeze again.

     

    Regards

     

    Dave

  4. a helicoil needs a good substrate to lock back into, so as to create a female thread.

     

    I may have missed something along the line-- but I understood that part of the problem was that David broke a thumbscrew, not just the insert. Is this true? Are we answering the right question?

     

    Dave E

     

    Hi Dave,

     

    As I said "not really an answer to your question David but ....."

     

    I was pointing out that some early Jeffries Screws went straight into the wood and noting a dodge that has plainly worked for others in the past; also that the existing insert is quite likely to be a retro-fit.

     

    It seems to me that we have now established that the thread is standard BA so Chris Ghent's solution would appear to be simple enough to carry out. Might need a bit of jiggery pokery to remove any broken section from within the insert but that should not be too difficult.

     

    Regards

     

    Dave P

  5.  

    The one I broke also had a BA thread (2.2mm diameter, I think). I believe the British Association introduced BA threads in the 1890's - maybe Jeffries were "early adopters"?

    Anyway, thanks to everyone for your helpful ideas - I have now removed the picture from the website.

    David

     

    not really an answer to your question David but .....

     

    I have seen a few earlier Jeffries with no captive nut at all so its also quite possible that a BA insert could be a retrofit.

     

    An interesting variation I have come across a number of times is a similar to the 'Helicoil' repair system used in engineering. I presume the following was used as an upgrade or repair rather than when the instrument was made.

     

    Hard brass wire with a diameter that will sit well into the 'V' groove of the bolt thread was wrapped tightly around to form a coil using the actual screw as a former and, in some cases, tinned with solder. A hole would then be reamed out in the woodwork (possibly tapped for added purchase) and the coil sinply glued into the hole and filed flush.

     

    I have not tried this dodge for myself as it just seems easier to fit proper nutplates,

    but those coil inserts I have seen, appear to have stood the test of time pretty well.

     

    Regards

    Dave

  6. Some pictures here of a Barnett Samuel 5" 20 key anglo, just received for some TLC. It's very Lachenal, stamped on the right hand end hand support with the English Made and reed frame pattern, though because of its size, the support is too thin to stamp "Steel Reeds" on. Action too is typical Lachenal. The right hand end has B S & Co fretted into the pattern, and the reed quality is excellent - a very loud little box indeed. Dave Prebble has previously mentioned a 5" Lachenal in his possession with a good, loud tone - is this a feature of the size??

     

    The one I have has 'L & Co, cut in the fretwork and appears pretty much identical to the one you have Bill. Partly a function of the size I would say ( minis do tend to be fairly loud) but in the main part due to the quality of reeds used.

    That one of mine is certainly a very loud box and will 'outpunch' many a Jeffries.

     

    Compare Bills box with the pictures on Morgana's site 5 Inch Lachenal

     

    Regards to all

     

    Dave Prebble

  7. Theres a fiery place waiting for those foul tempered shillers, a frothing broth of brimstone and bat guano, stirred by rusty pitchforks.

     

    Grievious and unloved, the shiller thwarts the hard working digits of the esteemed concertinist, casting his ill bred farthings with grimy twisted vengence. lo the unkempt brow of the pathetic shiller, he has no joy but to torment that which he can not grasp -

     

    hobbled in his filthy shack, the shiller swigs sour goats milk, cackling as his fingers fidget over the keyboard glaring with reddened eyes. Wrinkled, broken, a loner with no hope or future, his bent nose scrapes the lid as he reaches for another rotten bid.

     

    Off to sup with an evil puckered grin, his work complete, his emptiness sated, he giggles and belches, scratching and itching, merrily to doze with visions of road apples dancing in his head.

     

    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

     

    All of that and more !!

     

    Speaking as one who had his ebay identity nicked this week still trying to sort out the mess of false bids, spoof postings and malicious feedback left in my name !!

     

    Bring on Satan with a toothache and let him loose

     

    Dave

  8. True that..........could be a great instrument at a fair price.Both Paul (above) and I have recently got Bb/F anglos and LOVE the tuning.

    My favourite comment so far this year on C.net was Malcolm Clapp saying he hopes nobody converts it to a Jeffries Duet :lol: :lol:

    Now we know why Malcolm had to leave England...he's clearly a subversive :ph34r:

    Regards Robin

     

    Good old Clappo ... Right on the button ! :lol:

     

    The buyer has a bargain I'd say....and quite a handful too.

     

    Sighs! ..If only I had seven fingers on each hand ..... and £3251 :(

     

    Regards

     

    Dave prebble

  9. Hi,

     

    All this talk of hairy side in and hairy side out puts me in mind of s song called

    "The Ancient & Old Irish Condom"... to the tune of 'Rosin the Beau'

     

    the final verse runs...

     

    And I thought that I heard Brian whisper

    As he stood in the fire's rosy light

    "Well, you've had yer own way long enough, dear...

    'Tis the hairy side outside, tonight."

     

    I shall refrain from further comment and leave the rest to the imagination :ph34r:

     

    Dave P

     

    ps ..... If your curiosity gets the better of you .... try Googling :)

  10. Hi all,

     

    for what it is worth........

     

    While restoring a 32 key Lachenal a few weeks ago, I fell to thinking about this issue. I have nothing to add to the factors discussed above regarding the tendency of valve changing to cause pitch change , but decided to quantify just how much difference it can actually make.

     

    I recorded all pitch values for the instrument on a standard tuning chart before any work was carried out.

     

    Changing nothing else, I revalved the whole instrument and repeated the pitch check. I took as much care as possible to replace with valves of similar size, thickness, stiffness and texture.

     

    The test revealed that pitch shifts of between 0 and ten cents occurred with an overall average of approx 6 cents. No obvious pattern emerged that could be related to reed size or pitch... in all, pitch shifts seemed to be quite random.

     

    Regards

     

    Dave

  11. This will be the first year in over 25 years that I will not be there!

     

    My family has now rebelled, so we are leaving Yorkshire for foriegn parts, WALES...

     

    Anyone going to Wales at the end of August???? ???? ?

     

     

     

    Well that should free you up to go to Bradfield Dave :D

     

    Pete

     

     

    All they need is your wallet Dave... you could walk to Bradfield from your place :lol:

     

    Dave

  12. I am bereft ! My (not very expensive and slightly wheezy) concertina was dropped off at a hospital for poorly squeeze boxes last night and I am having to go cold turkey ! Aghhhhhhhhhhhhh ! You never miss your water til your well runs dry ! Any quips or consolations ? Even a quiet moment may send soalce through the ether.......

     

    Yours gutted

     

    Trilby

     

     

    Have you tried sex.... Its nearly as good :lol:

     

    Dave

  13. I have no other information other than I have posted Brian,but I will add your name to my get well card

    Al

     

     

    ... and ditto from me please Al if I am in time....for the card I mean.

     

    I remember well how much the support of folks here meant to me when I was so ill.

     

    Regards

     

    Dave

  14. Personal statistics(of the concertina):-

    40 Key C/G Geoff Crabb Eight Sided Anglo

     

     

    Following enquiries, from April 1st, any new instruments that I may make will have the option of a fitted waist strap for hands free wear and/or proximity sensors fitted to the rear of the bellows which will lock the latter in the open position to prevent possible crush injuries.

     

    Geoff Crabb

     

    Would this new waist strap be called a Conc strap?

    Surely lights as well Geoff for late night work or even flashing!!

    Al

     

     

    A whole new dimension to the word 'horn pipe' ? :ph34r:

     

    Dave

  15. This is a male version of Calender Girls and has sold out.

    If however if Mr July does not approve of this posting please delete it and my beads can come out of retirement.

    Al

     

     

    Hmmmmm.

     

    I will of course be attending Bradfield Traditional Music Weekend..... just a little concerned about the dress code :lol:

     

    Dave

     

    Squeeze on Brother !

  16. I have a Jackie, that I've had for about 5 months. Now, having bought a Lachenal, I've been required by my wife to sell the Jackie.

     

    So, I'm quite happy to sell an only marginally second hand Jackie to a beginner for a sensible price. I'm in the UK though.

     

     

    Hope you find the right instrument for you and at a good price.

     

    When you do, I think you will find learning and playing so much easier if you can abstain from the friggin' and jerkin' bit and come to see the concertina as a truly life changing experience. :lol:

     

    Dave

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