Lofty

I own 28614. Interesting that they ended up so far away from each other (I live in England)

This one too: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275238047789?hash=item401577502d:g:esoAAOSwxVRiQZ9P

You could use non-adhesive sew-on Velcro and stitch it through the holes in the woodwork.

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