Marklar

Yes, that's really what I'm leaning towards. Other than a few reeds that require too much air to sound, it's in playable condition. I've bought a DVD for beginning concertina (the John Williams one from Homespun). I can follow along and use the same fingerings as he's using on the C/G and I can also transpose to what they would be on a G/D. So anyway, having my concertina in Ab/Eb isn't going to stop me from learning tunes, and that's all I can really do right now anyway. It will be a while before I really have to worry about playing concertina in a session, and I could buy another concertina for that purpose if I get to that point and feel serious enough about playing with others. Also, I do like the way it sounds. I think I'll keep it the way it is and learn to play it for now; I'm going to put off the restoration for a while and I don't want to make any decisions about re-tuning it until I know how to play it and know what I'd be losing if I go away from Ab/Eb. Maybe I'll like it better that way anyway, and besides, there's no hurry. --Eric

Hi, I just got my first concertina, and it's a vintage Crabb in Ab/Eb. I need to send it out for restoration, but at the same time I would like to have it re-tuned to G/D so I can play it in sessions. I've heard that re-tuning the concertina can damage the reeds. Is this true? Will it damage the instrument to have it re-tuned in this way? -- Eric

I'm the lucky owner of a vintage Crabb. The original case is falling apart and in no condition to use. I need to send the concertina off for restoration and tuning, so I really need a good sturdy hard case that is suitable for shipping. Any recommenations would be welcome. Price is no object here, I'll pay whatever I need to to protect this instrument. Well, price does matter, but I'm willing to go for something expensive if I need to.

What a beautiful and unique instrument you've found! You do have a clown suit to wear while playing it, I hope? What in the world is that thing behind the clown on the right in that photo? That couldn't be a bunch of bulb horns on a wooden frame...could it?

How funny, I thought about posting about my Christmas luck when I saw this thread, but it seems it's been done for me already The really strange thing is, it wasn't even a planned gift. My dad just brought it out to see if I knew what it was since I'm the only folk musician in the family, and since I recognized what it was and began drooling immediately, it was given to me. A good Christmas indeed. After finding out what it really was I tried to explain to my dad and stepmom about how valuable it is, but they didn't believe me. They're convinced that it isn't worth all that much and that they wouldn't have gotten much for it on eBay. Oh well, in their case ignorance is bliss I think But they said they would rather keep it in the family with someone who would play it anyway, no matter what it's worth.

Thanks for the information, guys. Any idea as to what was behind the unusual end plates? Is this just an option that someone paid some extra money for on an otherwise ordinary instrument, or do they indicate that the instrument itself may be unique? In other words, do the end plates reflect on the overall quality of the instrument, or are they just a unique and attractive option that was added to an ordinary anglo? Have you guys seen one like this before?

I got lucky. I play Irish fiddle and my stepmom found something in her attic from an uncle who had a pawn shop in the '30s, and I recognized it as an anglo concertina and was given it. Heres a pic: http://home.comcast.net/~e.holt331/concertina.html The end plates are silver, and the label reads "H. Crabb, Maker, 158 Liverpool Rd., London." It's in pretty good shape. There are no numbers on the end plates but on the underside of each action pan is the number 8995; that's the only thing I can find that looks like a serial number. Anyway, I plan to have it restored and learn to play it, but I'm curious about its history. It looks to be from around 1900, but I don't really know much about concertinas (yet).