Lofty

I am looking for a small, high quality MacCann. 46 keys, or thereabouts. The small size is more important than the exact number of keys. Due to personal preferences, I think it would be a Wheatstone: I have owned several Lachenals and never really “bonded” with any of them. I have seen that there is one on eBay at the moment, but (from the fuzzy pictures) it looks like a fairly low level one. Steve

I see some of them put two fingers in the finger rests. It seems uncomfortable to me, but I suppose you could get used to it. Only two fingers left to do all the work, though. Perhaps they are playing in C and don’t need the outer rows of buttons. Steve

When I’m playing my single acting Wheatstone English bass/baritone, it’s so heavy that I usually sit down and put an end on each thigh. My legs go in and out as I play: slowly in as I push, then quickly out as I refill with air. I’ve never seen it from the audience’s viewpoint, of course, but it must look a bit odd. If the seat I am on is a bit high, my thighs slope downwards and the concertina tends to slip downwards. I keep a piece of non-slip material in the case to prevent slippage. Any “bowing” action probably comes from both hands: I’m not aware of my legs providing any of the pushing. I have played it standing up in the past, with my left foot on the box, so I probably used my right hand to do any “bowing”. I’m too old for such capers now. Steve

Thanks from me too: firstly for setting the forum up and maintaining it, but also for the firm but fair moderation. There have been a few occasions when things were getting a bit out of control, but the moderation has restored decorum promptly. Steve

We are straying a bit off topic here, Wolf, but I looked inside my Model 24 and there are no valves on the highest 4 notes on each side. Also, the next two notes down on each side have valves which are very slightly short. The valves were replaced over 30 years ago by Colin Dipper, so I am sure that these valve arrangements are what is ideal. Steve

I’m a bit surprised that there are any valves at all on these high notes, Wolf. I also have a model 24 and, although I haven’t look inside for a long time, I don’t think it has valves on these highest notes. If the valves on these notes need improvement, I would try removing them first. I’m not a concertina repairer, however, and someone who is might like to comment. Steve

Nice, but only 20 button Anglos. English or McCann would suit me better. Steve

I have heard Alistair Anderson use the extra high notes of an extended treble to play in octaves. It works very well for him! Steve

How I wish I had a time machine....... My sources tell me that they are even more expensive than the current value of all these concertinas, however. They are also rarer than really good English baritones, I believe. Steve

You refer to this as a “New England fiddle tune”. It’s obviously hard to tell a traditional tune’s origins, but it it strongly associated with a Northumbrian piper called, of course, Jamie Allen. See https://tunearch.org/wiki/Annotation:Jamie_Allen for more on this colourful character. Steve

Further research shows that Wheatstone also imported harmoniums made by Alexandre in France Perhaps the reeds were taken out of an Alexandre harmonium to build a one-off or a prototype bass. This would explain the markings on the reeds. Steve

See http://www.concertina.com/pricelists/wheatstone-english/Wheatstone-MDRA-1859.pdf for information on Wheatstone harmoniums. Steve

Wheatstone made harmoniums too, so using them in a bass concertina is probably no great surprise. Perhaps harmonium reeds were stamped with Do Re Mi etc. so that they could be understood when exported. It looks as though your bass has valves for re-filling the bellows in the ends. I had a previous bass and found these valves refilled the bellows relatively slowly. Mine has “gills” in the bellows, which refills them very quickly. It was built in 1886 and the bellows valves still work perfectly. I think they are original. As your bass is single acting, there are no valves for the reeds. This might make the reeds very responsive, so it could play pretty quickly (until you run out of air, of course). Mine is fast enough to play melodies at a reasonable speed, but this is quite hard work. Do you know what range it covers? Steve

.... and they are back again. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Wheatstone-concertina-Aola-squeeze-box/202369670855?hash=item2f1e2c1ec7:g:MpoAAOSwfb5bSj-7 and https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WHEATSTONE-LACHENAL-ENGLISH-CONCERTINA/202369673728?hash=item2f1e2c2a00:g:hiQAAOSwYUdbSj9d I would report them to eBay if I knew how to do it. Steve

There are two concertinas listed on eBay at the moment which seem very strange: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WHEATSTONE-LACHENAL-ENGLISH-CONCERTINA/392079491221?hash=item5b49c24095:i:392079491221 and https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Wheatstone-concertina-Aola-squeeze-box/392079491489?hash=item5b49c241a1:g:GsUAAOSwVMtbQlDt These seems to be offered at a very low starting price, but the text for the listings say that they are only available at a ‘Buy it now’ price of 2250 GBP (or alternatives in other currencies). There are numerous other items offered by the same seller, all at the same ‘Buy it now’ price. In addition, I have checked on them a few times and the seller seems to keep changing. My instinct is to treat these with considerable care... Steve

A very smart set of gentlemen! Several people are playing Edeophones. I think these were patented in 1889, so the photo must be from after that. Somebody will know when Lachenal were at that address. Steve

There’s one on eBay at the moment. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mayfair-30-Key-six-fold-English-Concertina-Good-condition-for-age-in-fitted-case/332691489435?hash=item4d75f5429b:g:wmwAAOSw4RZbKPZL Steve

I was lucky enough to see him live a few times. Once, my wife and I arrived very early at the pub where he was performing and he was in the bar. We had a long chat and played darts before his performance. He was amazing live, although he didn’t do well enough to make me change from English to Anglo... Steve

I have owned one of these for a very long time (28,000 serial number) and can vouch for their qualities. I have swapped to try out a few friend's Aeolas: they have all been amazed by its fast response and clear tone. If you are hoping for an Aeola, consider this instead! Steve

Wonderful! When I saw the length I thought I would have to watch it in stages. I was so interested, however, that I watched it all in one sitting. Steve

I had one roll down a hill (or was it pushed?) towards a bonfire.... I got there in time. Steve

Have you seen this one on eBay?http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wheatstone-48-key-English-Baritone-Concertina-/252669175185?hash=item3ad441a591:g:hboAAOSw4GVYRaQs If I had the cash to spare, I would be very keen as I have owned serial number 28614 for many years and it would tickle me to bring them together again. I would also like to play it, of course.... Steve Someone seems to have bought it for £2500. Anybody from here? Steve

What a shame! It looks as though somebody has driven over it, then driven over it again to put it out of its misery. Steve.

There doesn't seem to be anything to suggest it isn't genuine. It is a very 'late period' Wheatstone, however, and quality is generally held to be variable from later instruments. It might be very good, of course, but I would want to try before buying! Steve

Have you seen this one on eBay? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wheatstone-48-key-English-Baritone-Concertina-/252669175185?hash=item3ad441a591:g:hboAAOSw4GVYRaQs If I had the cash to spare, I would be very keen as I have owned serial number 28614 for many years and it would tickle me to bring them together again. I would also like to play it, of course.... Steve