Shayfogs

I would not use super glue in case the post had to be removed eg. in the case of a lever breaking. I would insert a small sliver of wood into the post hole and tap it gently back into the action board. Perhaps put an extra serration or two in the foot of the post to improve grip.

Thanks Stephen. I thought it might be around that time. Its probably difficult to know how many Lachenal or other makes were made in A/E. Why that key? To facilitate playing in A or E or B?

I have a Lachenal Ser. No. 194099 Its a 40 button in the key of A/E. Can you give an approximate date of manufacture pl?Lachenal A E 40 key.jfif

I agree with Stephen that there was a third D on the draw on the last button of the LH inside row. (Same as Lachenals) I too have changed it to a low A by loading it with a dab of solder. In addition I have seen an A/D# instead of A/Bflat on the second last button on the LH outside row. Seems like a strange choice but perhaps has something to do with chording. Anyone got views on this?

Very well put Geoff. The heavy bellows does continue to make a difference especially as I have a lighter style of playing.

Having relined the reedpan and adjusted the reeds I still wasn't completely happy with the response. When I took out the reedpan again to look at it I checked it on a piece of glass to check the leather seals were flush with the surface. They weren't. So I turned it over and noticed a slight rocking, Yes the reedpan was slightly warped. I removed the seals and sanded the top of the reedpan until the rocking ceased. I relined it again and lo and behold the response was so much better. It also explained why the LH side was ok, since it was not warped. So my original thought that the radial reedpan affected the sound was incorrect. I'm sorry I misled you all with this supposition. I should have checked for warping in the first instance I'd like to thank you all for your comments which were helpful in their own right. I presume Jeffries didn't stick with the radial reedpan as it was more complicated to make. He tended to favour the more straightforward methods, to save time and cost, Hence the parallell reedpans, the rectangular valves and the strap screws without an insert.

Hi Stephen, I'm afraid I only got this after coming back from Milltown. I'll bring it the next time if you let me know what music weekend you'll be at where I might be too. Or if you're in Dublin anytime give me a shout. Shay

Hi Malcolm and Theo. I used Columbia organ leather which is very supple. It's not as thin as I'd like but despite that some of the smaller reeds sound well. I'm now trying out a slightly higher setting on the reeds which seems better suited to the chambers and produces a better sound.

Hi Richard, I agree. They're like people, so individual, even when made with exactly the same materials. I'm just trying to eliminate possible causes.

Hi Dave, The reed sizes are normal as far as I can see, The reed chambers esp the RH are smaller in depth being 6mm as opposed to 10mm on the LH. (This is the same as on my 30 key Jeffries) The LH reeds are not more loaded than normal and in fact the ones from E/F down have a good growl to them. Are you saying smaller reed chambers in themselves reduce the reed response?

No doubting the quality of John Connor's bellows but they are very heavy and I think do play a part in the sound from my tina. However the biggest factor is the radial layout. I swopped reeds into another Jeffries and they did sound brighter. So the radial layout does have a dampening effect on the sound. On the plus side It does have a nice tone and is very playable.

The bellows is a replacement by John Connors. It is Moroccan leather and heavier than normal.

Replaced the gasket with narrower strips. No appreciable difference. The heavier bellows might be a factor too but I'm not changing that. I guess it is intrinsically a softer sound due to the radial design and chamber size.

Thanks, The chamois gaskets might be a factor. I might try a lighter leather in narrower strips. Might even remove the circular gasket around the centre hole to see what difference if any, it makes. Will report back in due course.

Hi, I have restored a C. Jeffires 44 button anglo which unusually, has a radial reedpan. It has a softer sound ie less volume that the usual Jeffries and I wonder is this due to the radial layout. The chamber depths are similar to my Jeffries with a parallel layout viz 9mm LH and 6mm RH (excl chamois). The radial chambers are smaller in area due to their v shape and I wonder is that why the sound is different. The reeds are good and react as you'd expect Jeffries reeds to. It has new pads and valves. It is noticeable that the lower reeds on the LH from middle E/D down have a proper Jeffries growl. I would be glad to receive any views on how does chamber depth and size affect the sound and volume of reeds

I had a number of dealings with David over the years when he was at Concertina Spares. It is a very beneficial source of concertina supplies which are not readily available. Good to see it being continued. I can fully concur with the kind thoughts being expressed about David. I met him at Mark Davies' Bradfield music weekend and it was obvious that he was a gent.

Hi Jay Jay I can help with pads, springs, tuning etc. Mail me at shayfogs@yahoo.com Shay

I have a bone button Jeffries with sycamore action boards. The Jeffries with mahogany action boards I have seen seem to be earlier models. This was probably common in the early days. Did Jeffries work at some stage with Jones? Or did he order tinas from Jones as he appears to have done with Crabb and added his own reeds? His early wooden ended tinas certainly look like Jones and I think mahogany action boards were used in the latter. I'm not sure but perhaps mahogany cracks easier than sycamore and this lead to a change in the material used. Shay

Thanks for putting me right Wes Regards

Hi Wes, A great piece of work and all concerned are to be congratulated. I thought the museum had a number of Jeffries concertinas but I don't see them listed. Is there any particular reason or are they to be included later? Thanks Shay Fogarty

Packie Russell played a 44 key C. Jeffries. It was held for some years in a glass case on the wall in O'Connors pub in Doolin where Packie played regularly. It was in the old section where the sessions used to be held before the pub was extended. I was told O'Connors actually bought the convertina for Packie but do not know where it is now. When I saw it it needed a bit of tuning and some renovation eg pads, valves etc.

Sadly, the only ones I've seen here have been converted to Anglos! I bought a Jeffries Duet on e bay last year. It was 55 key, old gold tooling and in C. Pretty well in tune too. Reeds in great condition. It was stamped C Jeffries, so they were being made before jeffries Bros started. Anyway I tried it a bit and figured out a bit of melody but there was no way I could play it even as an anglo never mind a Duet I thought of converting it but met with Michael Hebbert who was on a visit to Dublin and showed it to him. I decided to pass it on to him as it would have been a shame to alter such a fine box. Well it could not be in better hands now. Long may you continue to play great music on it Michael.

I have seen one Edeophone which had riveted action, and I'm told this may have been assembled by Wheatstone from parts acquired after the demise of Lachenal. Perhaps Wheatstone use 8xxxx numbers for these Wheatstone assembled Edeophones?? I've got an Edeo 56 key extended treble s/n 43*** with riveted action. My Edeo is 5F bellows and Lachenal levers. I checked again as I have doubts about the 88701 No. It could be in fact 38071. What date would that be then? I too had damaged ends and got new ones made by Jurgen Suttner who did a fine job. The bellows is shot so I am having a new one made by Colin Dipper. That should make it a fine instrument and will give me the incentive to play a bit on the English system as I am an Anglo player of Irish music.

I have an Edeo with a number 88071on both pans and again on the underneath of the (mahogony) action board.. Having looked at the dates shown here I double checked to see if it was 58071. But no, it is indeed 88071 so where does that leave us?

There is a very fine Irish Anglo player called Paddy Hayes who plays left handed. He just turns the tina upside down! It seems impossible to play like that for anyone who plays in the standard way but I suppose it proves you can adapt to anything