Lofty

Rather than sticking Velcro to a concertina, what about using the sew-on type and stitching it through the fretwork? No risk of damage to the finish. Steve

No, not angry. Just aiming for a balanced view😁😁

I contacted Colin a long time ago (20 years or so) about a replacement for a bass concertina reed which had broken. I had a replacement within a week. Not many people would be able to do that or provide that level of service. I won’t hear a word against him. Steve

It is a MacCann duet and has clearly been a very special one. It seems likely that the reeds will be steel but only opening it up will confirm that. Have you checked to see whether the note layout is the same as in the chart you posted? I own a 46 button Lachenal Edeophone MacCann duet, serial number 2097. Dowright has estimated that it dates from about 1901. Yours is clearly later than that, but I don’t know how much. I like mine very much: it is very responsive and has a loud, assertive tone. If yours isn’t in playing condition (it has no straps for a start), I hope you get it fixed up and that it sounds as good as mine. Steve

Any chance of any photos of your “special”, Jim? Steve

My thought is “If you like that tune enough to want to play it, why are you in such a hurry to get to the end?” Steve

Put a finger through the hole in the reed pan and pull firmly. It should come out but might be a tight fit. As already said, putting your finger through towards the smaller area of the reed pan might help. Before looking for complicated/difficult solutions, check that the reed frame hasn’t become loose in its slot. Just pushing it back into place might do the job. If the problem recurs with the same reed, a very thin paper shim (cigarette papers are good) at the wide end of the reed frame should help it to stay in place. Don’t shim the middle of the reed frame as this might bend it inwards, thus touching the reed. Steve

Excellent video. Well worth watching. Steve

Definitely try before you buy if you can, based on my experience. I have owned English system Edeophones and never really liked them. I wasn't happy with the tone, volume, responsiveness. I used them as “reserves”, but sold them eventually. Against my experience (and my advice above!) I bought a small (46 button) MacCann Edeophone without trying it. I think it’s a great instrument: fast, responsive, loud, great tone etc. It was meant as a smaller, lighter, alternative to my large (69 button) MacCann Aeola but I prefer playing it, despite its limited range. I wish I had a large Edeophone which was as good as the small one as well! Steve

If you take your finger off the button momentarily when you change directions, you should avoid this problem. It will also make your playing a bit “crisper”. Steve

I agree with what Geoff said earlier. If you can, try a Wheatstone Model 22 or 24. I find Aeolas to be quite “polite” tonally, on the whole. Model 22s or 24s can sound significantly more “pushy”. Steve

Colin Dipper tuned my Wheatstone Model 24 in 1994. It has been played a lot since then and its tuning is still excellent. I recently looked at the set of a few reeds which needed a bit more pressure than others to start sounding and that is much better now. I think it’s probably not the reeds: more likely to be valves or reed shoes being a bit loose. Perhaps modern homes with low humidity are to blame. Others who have more experience of maintenance and tuning may have different opinions. Steve

The ledger for this serial number is available online and you can see the relevant page at http://www.horniman.info/DKNSARC/SD01/PAGES/D1P0270L.HTM The ledger entry shows that it was made in 1912. Enjoy your concertina! Steve

For a moment I thought you were going to say you would practise in the river..... Steve

Thanks for that, Dowright. Steve