SqueezeCat

Congratulations!! A thing of beauty! Curious... where'd you come by the delight?

Hurrah!!

Hello Joy, The wood is padouk... and has a lovely colour. Which instrument are you having made? There are now four Wicki-Hayden choices! W-H1 W-H2 W-W1 W-W2 Indeed! I remember being in your spot towards the end of last year. And... I expect you'll be very pleased when yours arrives.

I'd suggest you consider going for one of the pre-owned instruments. These are priced accordingly... and you can tell the missus you need to buy it, in order to save money.

I can't say enough good things about the Wakkers work. They make very nice instruments. Having had the opportunity to try out a number of different antique and modern instruments at Barleycorn Concertinas, I found the Wakker instruments to be consistently good and well playing.

I'd suggest going ahead and trying out the Elise. You'll quickly get a sense on how the keyboard works for you. I ended up deciding to go with the Wicki version to accommodate my reach. I have small hands (wife says mine are much more girly than hers!!), so reach across the keyboard is a real concern for me. The thing I like about an isomorphic duet keyboard is the flexibility afforded. I haven't worked up any arrangements, yet, but am very much looking forward to doing so.

Through Chris Algar/Barleycorn Concertinas I had the opportunity to try out a number of Wakker instruments, and was so impressed as to order a W-A5. Interestingly enough, I went on the waiting list with an order for a W-A5 in September 2008. Later, I ended up trying out the Elise, and then converted my order to the W-W1. It ended up that the W-W1 went through a re-design of reed scaling, so the order took a bit longer than initially anticipated. (I'm a dual national... and spend time in both USA and UK... and am in USA for this part of the year....) After my experience with the Elise, I felt that the parallel Wicki keyboard would better fit my hand. The Hayden slant makes great sense musically, but for my hands the Wicki has turned out to be a better fit. So... I wouldn't say it is a case of better or worse for Hayden vs Wicki. For me it has to do w/ what fits my hands better, and what hold works best. In any case, I feel we owe Brian Hayden a great debt of gratitude for his work! As for playability... the voicing is very smooth, with a very even tone across the range of the instrument. The revised reed scaling really shows itself here. As a brand new instrument I'll be working in the bellows. (Having spent some time working in new bellows on my Jeffries anglo, I know the process is organic.) I own a W-A4 and a Wakker rebuild of a Crabb in G/D--and am expecting the W-W1 to play like the W-A4 once it is played in. At the moment, the tone is round and sweet with a quick response. What really needs to mature is my playing!! While I did become familiar with the Hayden/Wicki system with my Elise, I wouldn't say I'm versatile with the system at this point. Am very much looking forward to becoming competent with this new instrument.

My new W W-1 has arrived! (See the pic in the link.) Wim & Karen have put together a lovely instrument... thought I'd share!

The W-A5 is gorgeous. If I were made of money.... It kinda sounds like you're after a 39/40 key instrument. These give lots of flexibility (i.e., bellows direction choices, key signature/chromaticism). I also have a 40+ key Jeffries--which is a good player... though for my Anglo playing have been focusing on the creative challenges of a 31 key instrument. Don't know if you've seen this instrument or not. If you're interested in a 30/31 key, could be a good choice. Wakker is happy to do touch-ups and adjustments (both technical and cosmetic)... so if you went for this, you could get a more or less 'new' instrument without the wait. (I had my W-A4 re-polished to sort out some inadvertent 'pub scratches'.) If I had the money (and could explain to the wife why I needed ANOTHER concertina!!), I'd go for it....

I have a new Wakker W-A4 and a Wakker rebuild of a Crabb in G/D. Both these instruments are responsive, expressive and play very well. I've been so impressed with Wakker's work that I'm having another instrument (W-W1) built for me. I've had the opportunity to try a few Suttners, and have been impressed with these--but have found the performance and craftsmanship of the Wakker instruments to be more to my liking. If you're in the UK, I'd suggest you be in touch with Chris Algar. He regularly has new and used instruments of the makes you're interested in on hand. This is where I tried out a number of Wakkers and Suttners. Among other things, Algar often has Wakker Phoenix instruments in stock. These are new Wakker instruments with classic reeds--with the benefits of both. Another reason for getting in touch with Algar, if you let him know what you're interested in (antique and modern/used instruments), he is usually able to source... whether at auctions or via trades. Before deciding, I would suggest trying out some instruments.... Good luck in your search! All these are great instruments.

Ah, yes... I was looking at Hayden/Wicki in the abstract. For a 46 key instrument like the Wakker H-1 you'd need to substitute D# for Eb. Apologies for missing this....

Hello Dan, Thanks for this report. Is pleasing to see that your commission has brought another option forward for those of us interested in duets. (In a personal email, Wim has suggested another 1 to 1 1/2 years of development time before the W-C1 (48 key) instrument appears.) Will be interested in hearing of your further experience with the instrument. Keep us informed! My best, Lloyd

Hello Julian, The A minor scale you've shown is the (modern) Aeolian mode on A... ... and the G minor scale you've shown is the (modern) Dorian mode on G. So, these are two different minor scales--hence, two different fingerings on the Wicki/Hayden keyboard. If you'd like to play Dorian on A, you'd do this: _G_A C_D_E_F# ___A_B With the 'usual' Wicki/Hayden fingering pattern, start on the middle finger if playing in the right hand. If you'd like to play Aeolian on G, you'd do this: Eb_F_G _Bb_C_D _____G_A And with the 'usual' Wicki/Hayden fingering pattern, start on the ring finger if playing in the right hand. For further insight, have a look here for a discussion of modes. In particular, see the section titled modern. The ring finger and the little finger use the same set of muscles, so is often best to avoid using these two fingers sequentially. That said, for the most part, I tend to use the 'usual' Wicki/Hayden pattern for fingering, just moving my hand/finger position depending on the mode.

Hello Dan, An interesting story. Is a shame the instrument hasn't fared well through it's time. I like the idea of using what is salvageable to make a playable instrument. I have a G/D concertina with antique Crabb reeds (and internals) rebuilt by Wim Wakker into a new ambonya carcass. As you'd expect, it both looks and sounds great! So... did you have the Wakker C2 Stark Chromatiphone concertina made? Or was this another Concertina.netter? If not, we're still looking forward to hear the commissioner comment on this interesting new instrument. My best, Lloyd

Hello Dan, When I said: Perhaps it would have been best to emphasise few. Or, maybe say at least a few. I've never seen one in person.... Lloyd

I'd describe Concertina Connection's Elise Hayden Duet as a good starter instrument--good to get the gist of the Hayden system. As such the instrument does have limitations, the 34 key scope perhaps being the most significant. Here's the middle of a thread discussing just this. The "Hayden/Wicki" key signatures (played by just moving the hand position) available on the Elise are F, C, G, D. Yes, the key of E isn't especially exotic--but the Elise does give a good start with Hayden/Wicki. And, for those of us planning an upgrade to a 'high end' instrument (I've a W-W1 on order), the Elise is part of Concertina Connection's trade in programme. BTW, here are some pics of a Stagi Hayden, recently sold on by a Concertina.net member. These are 46 key accordion reeded instruments and are available from a number of dealers (as well as used).

Have you seen this thread? Wim Wakker/Concertina Connection has revived the Hugo Stark Chromatiphone system for duet concertina.... And for the bandoneon inclined, there are certainly a few Stark Chromatiphone bandoneons about. Harry Geuns has at least one in his collection.

Concertina Connection's Elise Hayden Duet is a good way to become familiar with the Hayden system, in a starter instrument. (Not a bandoneon... but, that's the point of this tread. )

Hello Mike, Welcome to concertina.net.... And to the group of individuals interested in seeing a Hayden/Wicki bandoneon. To add yourself to 'the list', is best to email Harry Geuns directly. You can follow the course of the above thread, to see how things have been last left. There seem to be two proposed instruments under discussion: a 'student model' of the sort described at this link, and a 'professional model' of the sort described here--but with a Hayden/Wicki keyboard. I seem to remember Geuns was looking for at least five interested parties to begin work on a Hayden/Wicki student model. (Wonder if we're at that threshold, yet?) Lloyd

Dan, are you the commissioner of the new Wakker C2 Stark Chromatiphone concertina? As for your Stark bandonion, how long have you had it...? And where did you manage to acquire? Am curious to hear recordings of you playing it.

Congratulation Wim--another beautiful instrument! And, you've given those of us in the market for a modern duet another attractive option... or is that quandary! Particularly intriguing as we can expect some (albeit likely rare) antique chromatiphone bandonions to be available. And, I do like the idea of a chromatic isomorphic instrument. Having an Elise Hayden Duet--I've had the opportunity to become familiar with (and enjoy!) the Wicki-Hayden keyboard. It would be nice to be able to try out a Stark Chromatiphone--but I'd expect any plans for a ‘starter instrument’ are some way off. (Anyone with a chromatiphone bandonion?) How are plans coming along for the 48-key C1 model? Any hints on compass? Expected design / delivery date? Congratulations, Again! Great Work!

Chris Algar has something of interest to Hayden Duet fans. (The instrument Wim is making me is getting close to being ready, otherwise.... )

Gorgeous! I'm in love!

Any word as to whether Akkordeon-Werkstatt are interested in putting together a Wicki-Hayden instrument?

I'm still interested.... could be a new thread is a useful idea....