jackieone

Thanks Richard! I appreciate your taking time to give me some insight based on your experience. There's no place down here (south Florida) that I am aware of that even sells concertinas, so that just makes it all the more difficult to buy my "beginner" concertina. Another question: if the concertina I end up with IS out of tune, what then? Without a tuning pitch pipe or some such, I doubt that I would even know... :-] I will be in Portland OR in the second half of August, perhaps there's a tuning place there that may be able to help me. It will be easy enough to either bring my instrument with me or purchase one up there. Then I'd actually get to try one out. Hmmm. Ok, more food for thought! Much thanks again! Jackie

Ken, Thank you so much for your time. There's so much to consider, and I want a simple, enjoyable and affordable experience with my first concertina. That's why I knew it would be smart to post here! I'll keep you posted on how it works out! I didn't even think about the possibility of extra reeds "going out of tune". Ah, so much information, and only a lifetime to digest it.... Again, thanks! Jackie

Hello! I'm on the brink of purchasing my very first concertina. I've never even held one before! Having read many posts, and instructional guides to purchase (which will be much more helpful when I 1) learn to play on my first concertina and 2) get enough money to graduate up the line when I get really good) I have narrowed my decision to two beginner concertinas. For my question: Imagine folks sitting around the campfire. Someone is playing a concertina softly in the background. Can you hear it? Now, tell me: Is it a Stagi C-1 (supposedly made in Italy) or is it a Hohner D-40 (made in China)? (Just to complicate things, could it be a stagi C-3???) You can email me directly with your thoughts, and I will also check back here for comments. Much thanks! Jackie