Mike C

CONCERTINA NOW SOLD

Oops - just spotted a small error on the keyboard layout. It's now been corrected.

I have decided to sell my Shakespeare 38 key C/G anglo. It's been a very good friend over the past few years. However, I took delivery of a Suttner last May, so as much as I would like to keep it, it deserves to be played a lot more than it is these days. Bought from Theo Gibb at The Box Place in Newcastle in 2008. Valves replaced and a full tune in 2009. Strap thumb screw inserts fitted. Had a small service a few weeks ago to get it ready for selling. All this work carried out by repairer Nigel Sture in South Devon. Bellows are in excellent condition, and were obviously fitted not that long before I bought it (Various people 'in the know' suggested they might be David Leese bellows). The concertina has obviously passed through Chris Algar's hands at least once, as there are some of his labels inside. Plays really nicely with a sweet tone and a very light action. I have played a few other Shakespeares since I bought it, and none played as well as this one. Weight is 1444g. Comes with a solid, fully blocked case. See image for keyboard layout. Any trial welcomed - I am in Devon, U.K. Please message me for more photos of both the outside and inside of the concertina. Donation to Concertina.net if sold. Price £3100 plus postage.

Hi Before I sort out my order for a Suttner anglo, I was wondering if there was any kind Suttner owners in or near to the southwest of England, who wouldn't mind letting me have a quick play on their instrument? I'm thinking of either a A2 30 key or a A4 38 key, with metal or ebony ends, so if anyone has something along those lines that would be great. I don't mind travelling to meet up, etc. If there is anyone out there who wouldn't mind helping me out, then please send me a private message. Many thanks Mike

Across the rows. Irish

Wakker doesn't sell the Phoenix, he makes them for Chris Alger using reeds supplied by Chris from old concertina's that he deems to be beyond rescue. Price varies with the particular construction and quality of reeds used. Prices 3-4 years ago were GBP2000+ for hardwood ended low end reeds (the black ended one on Wim's website), up to GBP3000+ for an amboyna ended model with top quality reeds. I have one identical to the amboyna photo on Wims site. For current prices contact Chris directly - or make ofearghail7 an offer. The Phoenix Page According to Chris Algar's website, the Wakker Phoenix goes for between £3750 - £4000 these days (prices as of July 2009). I suppose the price isn't helped by the fact that they now have to be imported from America. Chris Algar

Odd that following the steps to get a "harmonic" quote, the documents it gives you at the end are for the natural product, which would limit the claim to £2000... I can't find any reference on the internet about anybody's experiences making a claim. Cheap premiums are great, but only if they don't kick up a stink when you claim... I just got an online quote from them, and it gave me the correct Harmonic policy. Compared to my current Allianz premium, it was nearly £50 cheaper (about 30%), and that was with £0 excess, whereas Allianz has a fixed excess of £25. Adding the cover for unattended vehicles added about £10, which seems good. I may change over to them (depending on the smallprint!). Does anyone else have any experience with New Moon?

I have used Allianz Musical Instrument insurance for many years, for my concertina and my guitars, and would recommend them. I made one claim years back, and it was as straightforward and as painless as it could be. Allianz website

I agree that it's a hard instrument for airs, but when it is done well it really works. My two favourites are Caoineadh Eoghan Rua by Niamh Ní Charra (she plays fiddle as well!) on her CD Ón Dá Thaobh / from Both Sides, and Niall Vallely's version of An Buachaillín Bán on the Callan Bridge album.

Lat year when travelling through the x-ray check at Bristol airport, with my concertina and case inside my carry-on bag, the bloke operating the x-ray asked if I'd like to have a look at the screen to see what my concertina looked like when x-rayed! Just a shame he couldn't print out a copy for me.

Hi Greg Thanks for the information. The Shakespeare plays really nice as it is, so like you say probably best left well alone. I guess it then gives me a reason to get yet another concertina in the future. I better start saving! All the best Mike

Hi there According to the reed shoes on my Shakespeare 38 key C/G, it was originally a Bb/F. As and when I get my Suttner (still a bit of a way off!), I was thinking it'd be nice to return the Shakespeare to it's original tuning, rather than sell it or having 2 C/G's. But is this ever possible, or is it (as I suspect) all down to the condition of the reeds? Many thanks Mike

I'd be surprised if the Fleadh na gCuach posters were available in the States. You could try contacting the An Post in Kinvara, as they have a supply of the more recent posters for sale for around 10 euro each. Being a post office, I don't see any major difficulties in getting them posted out to you! I'm sure you can find their contact details on the web. The older Fleadh posters are still available in lesser amounts for other local sources in Kinvara, with the nicer ones increasingly harder and more costly to get hold of. Best of luck Mike

Their estimates are a bit optimistic! Our local aution house does this all the time. I'm sure they know exaclty what concertina's are worth, just trying to draw the punters in looking for a bargin. The results of the auction are on the Tennant's website - the Ball Beavon sold for £1400, and the Jones for £750 Wish I'd gone along now! Maybe a lot of potential buyers were too busy taking their 'other halves' out for the day? Mike

Hi all I've recently been looking into getting a quality case for my anglo, and have looked at the Fallon cases and those by Greg Jowaisas. Both make what look to be excellent cases, but I was initially put off by the added costs of postage from the States and the complications of import duties, etc. I haven't ruled out either of these, but was just wondering if there is anybody in either the UK or Ireland that makes cases of a similar standard (internally tailored to individual instruments). Any suggestions gratefully received...

Thanks Stephen for giving me the benefit of your mighty knowledge. That's interesting about the supposed date of the Vickers catalogue - at least it gives me as close a date as I'm probably going to get. By the way, I love the bird motif's in the fretwork Lawrence's model! All the best Mike

Hi all I recently got hold of a Shakespeare 38 key anglo, and would like to find out a few snippets of it's history - when it was made, etc - and that of the maker in general. I've already read the small amount that's available on this site about Shakespeare, and it seems that very little is known, so I'm not having high hopes here but you never know! I say it's a Shakespeare, but as there is no makers mark on it anywhere, I only have the word of the dealer from whom I bought it that that's what it is. It's certainly very Jeffries in appearance, so I'm intrigued as to why this is (OK it doesn't play quite like a Jeffries, but then it didn't cost anything like one either!). I know of the links between Jeffries and Crabb, but was there any sort of connection here I wonder? The Vickers catalogue of 1935 does list a Shakespeare of a very similar description, so it could well be from that period. Thanks in advance Mike

No longer for sale Thanks Mike

I agree, this is definitely very fishy! The original auction can be found at http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...A:IT&ih=011 Exactly the same images and the text copied verbatim from the original auction.

Thanks Dave, that's really interesting to see those comparisons, and to hear your thoughts with the Wakker. Even though I will try to change my playing to suit the Wakker, I get the feeling that I may find something else a little more suited.

Thanks all for the replies and advice. I didn't mention that I play Irish. I don't think my straps are too tight, but it looks like I need to sit down and re-appraise the way I play concerning this problem. It's interesting what hjcjones says about his Crabb measuring 40-50mm from inner row to the hand rest, as on my Wakker the measurements are 40-45, so there does seem to be some difference. Also. I guess it's more to do with overall feel, which is effected by many other things, button height and size, etc. I guess I'll persevere, for now at any rate.

Just realised this has somehow been posted in the 'Buy and Sell'! Apologies all!

Hi there all I'm after some advice here. I have been playing anglo concertina for just over a year, and have progressed from a starter Lachenal, through a Connor rebuild, to now having a Wakker WA-2. The problem I'm having is that I find the inner row too close to the hand rest, so that in order to play anything on that row other than the occasional note, I have to move my hand quite a way back in the hand strap. I find the problem worse for the second and third fingers, particularly on the left hand side. When I'm playing like this, the strap and hand rest is more or less in line with my knuckles, which mucks up my control of the bellows to some degree. I don't recall having this problem so much on the Connor, but then I probably wasn't using the inner row so much - I can't be sure though! So I'm now thinking I may need to change concertina again, but to what? I've had a go on my teacher's Suttner A4, 38 key Jeffries style, and I find the layout much better for me. I haven't played any other Jeffries, but would they all be the same, i.e. inner row further from the hand rest than Wheatstone layout? Do Crabb anglos all use the Jeffries layout, with closer rows, etc? I'd hate to have to get rid of the Wakker, as it's a lovely instrument, but if a different concertina would solve my problem the so be it. Any help and advice greatly received! Thanks in advance Mike

Hi all I'm looking to upgrade my anglo soon, and would like to go for a late model Wheatstone (30 key C/G) - the ones with the 50,000 and on serial numbers, from the 1960's onwards. I've tried a few and liked them, but the only thing that puts me off is the heavily domed shape of the keys - I just don't like the feel of them. Does anyone know if it is possible to find one of these Wheatstones with the slightly domed key shape, or was this style used exclusively? Many thanks Mike