Lofty

My current single acting Wheatstone bass has a large number of holes with valves in the bellows. I call them gills. A previous one (by Lachenal) had a few holes with valves in the ends, I think in the action boards. It was a long time ago: I don’t think it had conventional reed pans which pulled out, as in smaller instruments. The Wheatstone with the gills is a vastly superior instrument to the Lachenal.

Whereabouts do you live? I have a 69 button (plus air) ebony ended Aeola for sale. The right hand starts from the G below middle C. in my view, this is preferable as it provides a better usable range before getting into the squeaky high notes that don’t fit the McCann pattern. The left hand goes from a low F to the C above middle C. Steve

....this is why I choose to play bellows operated bagpipes??

Bagpipe tunes are designed to work with drones. Steve

Many thanks to you both. Steve

That is a thing of astonishing beauty. Steve

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

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

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

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