Theo

Yes there is software out there that can monitor your keystrokes, and its already in many computers and the users are unaware of it. Its part of a vast range of "spyware" some of it almost legitimate, much of it not, that I only learned about recently. Anti-virus software does not look for it because it does no direct harm to your computer, it just collects information about you. Every internet user with a PC should consider using "Spybot Search & Destroy" downloadable for free from http://www.download.com/3000-8022-10122137.html I was shocked at what it found on my PC. Theo

The reason that Ladybirds/Ladybugs are sometimes found inside concertinas is that they pass the winter as adults. The creatures found inside instruments were hibernating and either died there (not all hibernation is successful) or were disturbed in the winter. I have often seen concertian pads and accordion pallets where the felt only has been hollowed out, leaving the leather and card or wood untouched. This is the work of a moth larva, commonly known as the clothes moth. There is at least one species of moth in which the larva eats only wool and will seek out its chosen food with great care. The adult females are able to get through very small spaces, and I would be surprised if cloth under the fretwork would always stop them. They also have a preference for high humidity, and darkness. So a concertina that is stored in a a modern centrally heated home is at low risk, one in a cellar or attic is at high risk, and paradoxically storing it in a box will make it more likely to be the victim of moth attack. There are species of moth that specialise in eating almost any organic material you care to name. There is even a couple of species that are specific to eating beeswax. Theo

Thesilverguy has now withdrawn his bid. I found him a very genuine ebay partner. As far as I know he is a genuine antique dealer. As such he probably is aware the Jeffries is a good make of concertina. The majority of his ebay activity seems to be selling, so he might not be aware of the prevelance of scams on high value items. I've asked the seller of the Jeffries for photographs and information on the system. We'll have to wait and see if there is a response. Theo

The first bidder "thesilverguy" is someone who I have traded with on ebay. I have sent him the link to the cnet discussion on fraud. Paul or Chris should be able to verify thius one. Theo

There is nickel, which seems to have been used only in the early days of concertina manufacture. Quite by chance I hace seen two early English system instruments recently with nickel reeds. They have a similar tone to brass, but louder though without the hard-edged sound you get with good steel reeds. They appear to be even less subject to corrosion than brass. The ones I have seen still looked bright and shiny after a century and a half. Whether they are any less prone to break I have no idea. There must be some reason why brass and steel took over. Possibly manufacturing reasons - I have a suspicion that nickel can be a difficult metal to work. Theo

Here is a picture of the fretwork on mine, in case that helps to identify it. On closer examination I find that the reeds (see previous post for picture) are not steel (except for one or two) but a silver metal which I take to be "German silver" refered to elswhere as a reed material use in early concertinas. The owner of this box is getting quite excited that she has an instrument with history, instead of geing a fairly ordinar Lachenal. She has even changed her mind about selling it! Any further insights into its origin will be very welcome. Theo

I have had very good service from Anglo Felts in Rochdale. If they have anything suitable they might well be prepared to send you a sample which would be enough to do the job. See their web site for contact details. Theo

I have recently been asked to do some work on an instrument that has some similarities. The action is similar to that described by Jim. Round action posts with a slot cut in the top, but the lever is riveted in place, and the levers appear to be cut from sheet brass. The reeds are not all the same, but most are square ended steel reeds, some brass, and one or two of the brass ones look like harmonium reeds - riveted reed tongue, and round ended. The owner bought this from a dealer who described it as a Lachenal. There is no sign of a serial number anywhere but the pans and bellows are clearly marked L and R. No paper label on the reed pans, but the note names are written on to the pans in black ink. The owner is interested to find out more about it. The ends are nicely figured (rose?)wood. Cna anyone shed any light on its origins? Thanks Theo

The details are: serial number 27410 The LH reedpan (the Wheatstone one) measures between 144.1 and 144.8 mm across the flats depending where you take the measurement. The other reedpan has been badly damaged by water, severly warped and many of the reed chamber walls gone. I am adapting that into a tuning fixture. One of the action boards remains and makes a handy rack for holding a set of buttons during restoration work. The bellows are gone, the ends have been donated to another Lachenal. All that's left is an assortment of reeds, which appear to come from a variety of instruments.

Wow! I am delighted to get such in depth information. Thank you Stephen. I'll now set about getting it into good playing order! Theo

Very interesting. I've not heard of the Nicolds family. Yes exactly like that The nut has a deep groove in each side. The Nuts are very much broader that usual and the securing screws are brass, all the other concertinas I've been inside have steel screws. Theo

I have just bought this concertina off ebay. It is a 20 button Anglo, rosewood ends and described by the seller as probably Lachenal. Label reads: IMPROVED ENGLISH CONCERTINA WARRANTED LONDON MANUFACTURED It arrived today and on opening it to look for the serial no to estimate is date was surprised to find only a handwritten number in pencil on each end 92L and 92R. The action is lachenal type, but the levers are steel rather than brass. The reedpans have a parallel layout with steel reeds. Its fairly leaky, cracked action board at the R side, and one broken reed, but the reeds that do sound have a strong confident sound. Is this really Lachenals 92nd Anglo, or some other make? I was attracted to it by the detailed fretwork, which is clearly of a higner standard than the typical wooden ended Lachenal.

Stephen Thanks for your thoughts which I share and are the reason for this request. I know I can get new Hohner grilles for the current models. I am working on several pre-war club 2 models. The grilles on these are slightly larger. I want to be able to offer a fully restored instrument for sale, to the same high standards that a number of concertina repairers are able to achieve. Replating is just about the only process I can't do myself, so I hoped that some concertina restorers might be able to advise me. Theo

I am looking for recommedations of a reliable electroplater, preferably UK-based, who can renew the nickel plating on pre-war melodeon grilles. The grilles are sometimes steel, sometimes brass. I imagine the process is very much the same as would be used on a metal end from a concertina. There are plenty of electroplaters advertising in Yellow pages etc, but most are used to working with much heavier metal parts, and I do not want to entrust a flimsy pierced instrument grille to someone more used to working on motorcycle parts. Theo

I had not considered the possibility of getting a new reedpan made. I think I agree with you that might well be the best solution. Thanks for that idea Jim. As for details of the pan if anyone has one: It is hexagonal, tilted pan, 48 button Wheatstone English. I shall have to get the callipers out before I can give any measurements. Theo

Have you considered using harmonium reeds? They are on single plates like concertina reeds and old harmoniums can be picked up for next to nothing. I recently brought one home which my local church had discarded with a load of rubbish. You might also get some nice timber to build the rest of the box! I have saved the reeds out of this harmonium, and have a box of others, contact me direct if you aare interested.

I am working with a friend to try to bring life back to a nice 48 button Wheatstone English metal ended concertina. Its all there but the right hand reedpan which has been replaced with a Lachenal left hand reedpan! The Lachenal pan is a bit small, though it could be made airtight with an extra layer of gasket material. More seriously the reed chambers on the Lachenal pan do not all line up with the holes in the Wheatstone action board. About 5 or 6 holes are affected and as a temporary measure I have narrowed the holes with small pieces of masking tape. The ideal solution would be to find a Wheatstone reedpan, so this is firstly an appeal. Has anyone a spare Wheatstone pan lying in their box of bits? The Lachenal one is available to trade. Failing that any suggestions for matching up the parts I have, or is it not even worth considering? Theo