gabriele

****blush**** My husband has better eyesight than I do, which was proven just a few minutes ago as I misread the 9 for a 0 (wishful thinking???) which makes the serial number 59262 an places it in 1960; just as Chris told me of course. Still, maybe this is interesting for registration purposes, and otherwise, sorry to have bothered you all. Regards, Gabriele

I bought a Wheatstone Anglo C/G with metal ends yesterday at Chris Algar's and was told it was made around 1960. I have just found an interesting article by Mr. Bob Gaskins on this site which let me date my concertina around 1937-1939 judging from it's serial number 50262. I also concluded that Mr. Gaskins is interested in the wherabouts of the Wheatstones. Mine is said to have been reimported from South Africa, after which it was restored and checked by Chris Algar. I am interested in information about my Anglo too. Regards, Gabriele

Hello, everybody. I was in Chris Algar's famous garden shed and I could choose between about 20 anglos within my price-range. After rigorous discarding the search was soon narrowed to a new Connor with used reeds, a Lachenal with additional buttons (38 I believe) and rosewood ends, and two Wheatstones with metal ends, one with 40 buttons and a drone, both at the top end of my savings. I almost fell for the last one. but the other Wheatstone (30 buttons) played more easily. I would never have expected that a better instrument could make so much difference concerning feel, sound, air control and bellow movements, besides just being a beauty. My tina was made in London round 1960 an sold to South Africa, from where it came back to be restored by Chris. So now I am poor but proud and happy. Thank you all , you have been a great help. And Chris sends his regards back. Regards, Gabriele

Hi you all, thank you very much for all your kind and useful advice. I am looking for a C/G Anglo concertina. Taking some instruments to try them out home is not practical for me as I live in Holland and will just go over for a short trip. My husband is going with me but he is not a concertina player. He is a good listener though, and a musician. I shall take into account the sound in Chris's workshop. If you are interested you will be able to read here what I have chosen.... Regards, Gabriele

On monday I shall be going to Barleycorn to buy myself a nice Anglo, after learning to play on a 30-button Stagi. I am longing to own a real concertina with concertina sound and real reeds. I have just realised after browsing this forum for a while that I might be very glad with some good advice. By the way, 1500 to 2000 pounds is about as much as I can afford. I am looking forward to your tips. Regards, gabriele.

Hello Vince, personally I would not recommend you to start with a 20 button instrument. You will very soon miss certain notes, especially for the key of D major in which many Irish tunes are played. Save a little longer and get yourself a 30-button instrument. I know I was once tempted to buy a 20=button, and I am glad I didn't.

Have you heard of "The Session" http://www.thesession.org/ You find sheet music for lots of Irish tunes there for free. To get a decent print-out I save the music in my directory and then print out from there.