Pamela

So you think it is German, that is great. I really have no clue so that is why I came to Concertina.net. If it is worth repairing, I think I would like to try to do it myself. I am good with tools <G> I don't want to spend too much money but if I could put in a less than couple hundred dollars and my time I am willing to do that. The ends are flat and looks like it has a wool yarn ( felt) between the bellows and the end piece. I think that needs to be replaced. I think if I can find a source for the thin leather I would first do the inside repair on the gussets. If that does not work, I thing I would like to redo the entire bellows. I like to make books and working with davey board and fine papers is not a problem for me. Where do I find the leather valve replacements? I did manage to play each button and a sound did come out of each one I played. The wooden plate and reed block seem to have two small nails holding them in place. I have not yet tried to get into that to see how the buttons work. With some loving care, it might be able to play again. So where does one go to find replacement "parts" for old german export concertinas? Pam Howard Brasstown, NC

Thanks for the replies! When I saw this concertina in the case, I almost didn't buy it. I figured it was not that old, but has been not taken care of. But when I opened it up I got the feeling that it is older that I realized. Now that is not saying much since I haven't a clue what I have. But my gut feeling is it was made in the 1950's.....just a guess mind you. The reeds are made of brass. There are leather pads that are glued over a slit. Some of the pads are missing, but they were not inside the instrument. So someone has opened it up before. I sure wish I had them! Actually the bellows are not so bad and it will play each note. But it is hard to test it since one of the palm rests is missing and no hand straps. The bellows do extend when I hold it up, there are at least two holes. There top run leather chips is not the problem, but the holes in the white leather of the bellows. The black is not leather, but black fabric made to look like leather. I do like the papers too. They are green, blue. dark maroon and then silver. I thought it was unusual. They look in good shape. I thought the reed pan was unusual too, but I really don't know my concertinas or their history. When I took out the screws I thought that they were of the 1940 to 1950 look. But there again, what do I know! In tune...well there again, I haven't played it much. The action is pretty smooth...I think. When I try to play it, I do feel a breeze from air escaping from the leather part (white) of the bellows. I have never done a Utube clip,so that may not happen at this time. I can take a few more closeup views of it and post them this evening. I have to get ready for work now. Thanks you both for your help. Pam Howard Brasstown, NC

Hey there, I need some advise. Yesterday I bought an 20 button anglo concertina at an antique mall. Now I don't think that it is a real expensive instrument, but I also did not pay very much for it. I already play an English concertina, but wanted to try my hands at an anglo. I am guessing it is a student model because it is not at all like my Wheatstone. The sides are made of wood veneer and the insides is made of wood which I think is pine. Written on both ends on the inside is the number 37. The bellows are made with a leather like material ( black) and the papers. I do see a few holes in the white leather. It is an 8 fold bellows. The buttons are wood with a white disk of something glued on top. If I was to guess I would say it is on the lines of a Stagi or a Horner but there is no name on it at all. I am attaching a few photos for your veiwing enjoyment. So what I am asking is....is it worth trying to repair it? I can replace the leather straps and add the missing palm rest. But not too sure about the bellows. Thanks Pam Howard Brasstown, NC

[it's an absolute hoot! I completely loved it. So did the rest of our side, and so far as I can tell so did the dozen or so other morris sides in the audience. It was a big audience and quite a social occasion, which meant that there was plenty of laughter out loud. Thanks Chris for the movie review. Now when this movie comes out on DVD would you folks across the pond let us Americans know so we might try to get a copy. Our teams are wanting to get together and have a community watching. We can't wait!!!!!! Thanks! Pam Brasstown, NC

Daniel Thanks for all your hard work with the list of Concertinia makers. I had no idea there were so many different kinds made. This information is why I like coming to to this site. I have learned a lot. Thank you! Pam Brasstown, NC

Thanks, I will bookmark the Wheatstone site for future use. I did get my new thumb straps and they are back onto my little concertinia. SO MUCH BETTER! I am really glad I took the time and had them replaced. Thanks to all who replied to my inquiry. Now back to practicing! Pam

Oh Please write a review!!!! We are trying to get our local small movie theater to get it here in Murphy, NC-USA. In our small rual area we have 4 teams, Border morris, Garland, Northwest Clogs, Rapper and a GREAT band!!!!!! So with all of the team members, family and friends we could fill up the theater. What would really be fun is to have a dance event and then play the movie in the theater. So you folks in the UK as soon as this movie goes to DVD please post it so us in the US can get a copy. Pam BRasstown, NC

I have always been doubtful that one could trust those responsible to actually leave something in place and not nick it before nailing it shut. (Just another of my morbid thoughts.) Ian Thanks all of you for the valuable information. I sent my thumb straps out on Monday an dI expect them back next. It has been really hard not havingit to play. But I do want to keep it in the best condition I can. I do realize that I am resting the instrument on my need....can't do that anymore!!! It is not bad, but I need to get into the habbit of holding my arms up off the knees. I have only been playing for less that a year so I am having to build strength in my arms. My first concertinia was a Stagi tennor and it is much heavier that my Wheatstone treble. The Stagi I bought new so the leather is a bit tougher to play. I like the hand straps with my Wheatstone because it help me take presaure off my little fingers. So now I wait till the thumbstraps come back. In the meantime - does the Wheatstone company have a website??? How would I get in touch with them? Thanks and Happy Playing! Pam

Thanks to all of you who replied to my Thumb strap problem. I checked out the Concertinia Connection and they have not only thumb straps but lots of other parts as well. ( Not that mine needs those) It is also in the US so I can give them a call tomorrow and order by phone. Since my Wheatstone was made in 1936, I just want to keep in in the best condition I can. Thanks! Pam Beautiful Brasstown, NC

Thanks Grey! I check into the sites you told me about for the thumb repair. I just want to keep this instrument in very good shape since it did cost some major money ( worth it though!!! ). Shoe polish...Will ge some next time I am in town! Thanks a bunch! Pam Brasstown, NC

Hello those who live across the pond.... Have any of you seen the movie Morris: A Life with Bells on ....yet???? Is it worth us pitching a fit to get it here in the US???? Surely someone there has see it to give us a review. Pam

I have a beautiful Wheatstone 6 sided English treble. It is in wonderful condition for its age. I have just about the same size thumbs as the previous owner must have had because the hole in the leather thumb strap is worn into the hext hole. making the holes rather large. So now I can't tighten the thumb strap to fit my thumb. Is there anywhere you can buy new leather thumb straps? It appears to be a thinner black leather that is folded onto itself. Or has anyone had luck in sewing a repair patch on the underside of the strap and punch a new hole? What do folks do when this happens? My next question is... I want to protect the bellows so they don't dry out. Is there something that you rub onto the bellows? I bought this instrument and a few months ago and I am noticing that the black is rubbing off on the bottom of it. I didn't know if thre is a standard something that is used. Thanks in advance. Pam

Blimey! The Prohibition did catch on in some areas then? Ian Yep, that is why I like to go to England. The pups there are great over there. Our small town of Murphy has just became a "wet" city. So there is a tiny pub that has just open. They are trying and I suspect that our Morris team will visit it when it get going. It rook 60 years for they to allow spirits in the city again. So here is another reason to practice my concertinia, so that I may play in that pub some day!!! Pam Brasstown, NC

I'd be very interested to hear from folks where the best venues and environments are for people who want to take all this hard work into a nice relaxed playing situation. Mike I live in an area where sadly we do not have pubs...oh well. We are a dry county so no spirits! I have several options. I gather with other rank beginners and we play in our homes. I also live very close to a craft school which offers classes in all kinds of beginning music. So it is not unusual for a newbie group to gather and squeak along. Sadly I am the only concertinia player in the area, but the banjo, gutair and fiddle players don't mind me a bit. I live out in the woods, so playing tunes in my house is not a problem for the neighbors. But now even when I start to take my concertinia out of the case my cat runs down to the basement! Pam Brasstwon, NC

Well my Long Term goal is be able to play decently in my community Border Morris and Garland Band. I already play the tamboureen, but I would like to be able to play melody too. Short term goal is to practice every day at least an hour usually more. I have only been playing since May of last year. In the last two weeks I seem to have had a break through. I was working on the computer typing. I was not looking at the keys and was thinking of something else but still able to type. All of a sudden I thought this is like playing the English Concertinia. Gee, think of it as learning to type. I now have several songs that I can play with out the dots! It is beginning to be easier. I am not playing really fast but trying to play the notes correctlly. Pam Brasstown, NC

Well the man who owns our local theater has contacted the movie company asking if he can get the movie in Brasstown, NC. From what they told him, the movie needs a distributor first. He said he would continue to keep checking on this. We are keeping our fingers crossed! Pam

I live in a very small town called Brasstown in Western North Carolina. In this small area we have a Border Morris, Garland, Northwest clog and two rapper sword teams. I play in the band so that makes for more folks who would think that the movie would be fun to watch. Does anyone know if it will come to the US. Who would one contact to make such a request? Pam Howard Brasstown, NC

I believe I learn all the time I'm playing, but particularly when stretching myself to play pieces beyond my ability; I'd say if you really like a piece, don't worry about whether the music's too hard even if it takes months to actually get to the stage where it sounds half competent, because it will do you good, whether you actually get it to the finished stage or not. Lucky for me I have a lovely spot in my sun room. I have my music stand and concertina always available to play. Where I live, here in Brasstown, we have a community center that sits empty most of the time, which would be a wonderful place to practice. Maybe you could find such a place to practice. I just know how hard when there are unhappy people snaring at you to be quiet..... Gee, I think I will go practice right now Pam Brasstown, NC

LDT You keep up the practicing and if you have to go somewhere where family won't be bothered. When I was young I played the violin...or tried to. My brother was such a jerk about me practing I would go out into a vacant lot to practice. Not a real great place to be. I finally got where I didn't practice much at all because he raised such a fuss. If I have not had that negative pressure I would still be playing today and would have been pretty good. So do what you have to do to keep practing. I have picked up the English concertina in the past year and I practice about an hour a day. My dear husband is so positive and encouraging to me. It sure makes a differences when you have a freedom to practice. I now play the tambourine for our local Morris and Garland teams. But my hopes is to one day be able to play melody too! Pam Brasstown, NC I can get rid of them for a weekend but usually not at the same time. *sigh* Apparently I give my brother a headache with my practicing and my sister thinks the music I play is rubbish...and after 2 hours my mum 'can't think' with the 'noise'. So 2 hours seems to be the longest I can practice before I get all three complaining.

>>>> I have a slow-down-play-back, and a looping feature on my digital recorder which helps<<<< I am so glad that this topic was started. So helpful!!!! It has been great to read what everyone suggested on how to learn a tune. In the past few weeks I seemed to have a break through on listening and learning by ear. From this thread it seems that the general reccomendation is to listen to a song till you can hum it correctly then try to pick out the notes on the concertina. I have been listening to one song that I have been humming it in my dream.... Now what I would like for you master concertinia players to suggest for me is, a mp3 recorder. I just bought a Scansa clip MP3 player and recorder. But I still have not figured out how to record. Are there other recorders out there that is better? I think I read where someone has one that will actually record then slow down the song for playback...is that true? Thanks Pam Howard Brasstown, NC

Jody What a wealth of wonderful photos you have shared with us. I so enjoyed looking at them! Thank you Pam Howard Brasstown, NC

Al Well I traveled to this wonderful antique shop that has a room full of old postcards and photos. Needless to say, no concertina themed cards. Actually I did not see any cards that were themed musical. But I will keep looking! Pam

Allan Thanks so much for uploading the post cards. Now when I go to the antique shops I am going to take time to look through the old post cards to see what I can find. Pam Howard Brasstown, NC

I too had a concertina Christmas. My husband got me a soft case for my new to me 1926 Wheatstone. I also got the 3 CD set of English Concertina music along with several more CD's on Morris tunes. I even got the Concertina Workshop book and CD. Blimey Pam; what a great hubby. He doesn't want to adopt a new son does he? Ian I am rather smart.....I emailed him my list so he can print it out, with telephone numbers, and exact descriptions of what I want. When I do that I get something I can use and something that I really would rather not have. Sorry no adopting unless we can our daughter to make ends meet on her own<g> Pam Howard Brastown, NC

>>>>>It looks like a German melodeon. The older types only had one row on de melody side, some also had 2 rows and later even 3, but then they will be younger and have bass buttons in stead of the spoons or bass buttons like this one. <<< I too have one of those German melodeon's that a Great Uncle brought one to my Great Grandmother fromwhen he was over seas during WWI. It is in pretty good shape and my accordian player friends says it was mainly for export to the US. They said that they were not a real serious instrument ( low end model ) I am just proud to have it. Pam Howrd Brasstown, NC