Jewish Leprechaun

As far as I've found, the stamps on the reeds match what I'm finding with the Wheatstone layout. So it doesn't look like the reeds have been tampered with. There are some oddball keys that don't really aline with either the Jeffries or Wheatstone layouts like the last button on the left hand side inner row is a B/D instead of a more standard B/A for either system. Which I suppose supports the case of someone asking Jeffries to do a one off custom layout. I'm probably going to steal the C pull from the first button on the middle row of the right hand side, tune it up to C# and swap it with the A on the second button of the outer row and then reverse the C#/Eb of the first button outer row. It'll still have it's eccentricities of course, but that'll give me my two C#s in the right places. If I'd make those changes it looks like, I'd be at about a 86% match to your 38k Jeffries layout on your website, Jake. Still not ideal, but it'll be much closer while retaining all the original reeds and doing minimal tampering.

Well, I got an unrefurbished 38k Jeffries on an online auction. I waited in anxious anticipation for its arrival. I eagerly opened the box, the bellows were rough, but still held air ok, all the keys and levers moved pretty well, 95% of the reeds sounded ok and then I realized the unique quality it possessed... it's a Wheatstone layout!!! I opened it up and everything seems original. I bought it from a gentleman who bought it from a gentleman who's Grandfather bought it when he 13 years old and then immigrated from Norway to California 125 years ago. So I know I've seen one or two Jeffries with Wheatstone layouts before. Were these most likely custom orders by Jeffries?

I started out the same way on a Rochelle with a Wheatstone layout, but eventually made my way to a Jeffries layout. At the end of the day, it really only changed up the way I play my C# as I don't use the other notes much that the layout change affects. So it was not all that terrible to switch up the C# push from my right index to my right middle finger; even my B C# D triplets weren't all that affected by the shift. In addition it's nice to have that extra C# on the pull now too with the Jeffries layout. BUT I think if the right concertina crossed my path I wouldn't mind switching back to Wheatstone. A Wheatstone layout could handle any tune I threw at it, but so can a Jeffries layout. At this point I do prefer the Jeffries layout, but I'm also not trying to play much outside of the trad tunes, so if you're trying to do the classical music, that'll be a different animal. As far as button numbers go, well, there are numerous discussions out there on that. Personally, I don't use all the buttons on my 30 so I can't really advocate for more.

Well it's got a bid now...

You could reach out to David Robertson (up in Norwich), he does a great job with restorations https://www.concertina-restoration.co.uk

I'll second what Theo said, went down this road years ago with a Lachenal I had... the soft case started some extra wear and tear on the bellows corners. Nothing terrible, but definitely unnecessary. Ditched the soft case and never looked back; hard cases are the way to go.

Well done on the review, I actually stumbled across your video on youtube a few days ago. David Robertson certainly does a wonderful job in his restoration process. I purchased an old shakespeare from him a few years ago, very lovely concertina, and Dave's work was impeccable! -Lep

Very true LJ, most likely it is 5.25 inches, but 5 inches with 30 buttons or 5.25 inches with 34 buttons, either way there's some serious engineering going on inside these pint-sized 'tinas.

I know the Dippers somehow managed a 5inch C/G with 34 buttons... an impressive feat!

If this is what you're referencing, it looks like Bob managed to save it on his website! http://hmi.homewood.net/bnick/anglo.htm

You're reading my thoughts right there, Alex! Surely there are some drawbacks squeezing it all in to a package that small (air volume aside). Much appreciated Stephen this is some great information, quite rare beasts!

So I'm curious to see a picture of one of these 5-inch 30 button Jeffries. I saw them mentioned here in section "(b) the instruments": https://www.concertinajournal.org/articles/charles-jeffries-and-his-sons/ Has anyone ever seen one of these?? Does anyone have any pictures or any experience playing one? I'm curious how they sound and play compared to full-sized Jeffries (small concertinas always have fascinated me).

Living the dream right there!

Check out this thread for more 20-button playing: -Lep

If you meant "can I ignore the extra buttons and play it like a 20 button concertina?" here are my 2 cents... You can make a lot of great music with a 20 button concertina, but eventually you might feel limited. For some good examples of 20 button playing, look up some recordings of Mrs. Crotty. I don't think you'll have any regrets with a 30 button. The third (extra) row is an accidental row with all your sharps/flats. The other two rows should be more or less identical between the 20 and 30. The accidental row adds a whole lot of options and the opportunity to play a wider range of tunes. If you do decide to go the 30-button route, look closely at the accidental row layout of both the Wheatstone and Jeffries layouts and see which one fits you better. Depending on your budget, a Rochelle from concertina connection is a good place to start. Best of luck, Lep