rth97601

I like the feel, though my hands are pretty big and it does tighten the fingers up a bit ... but the Jackie, as I recall wasn't exactly spacious, in fingerboard terms, either. The Jackie was probably smoother, action-wise, but I'm working from memory and have never handled a really top-rate instrument anyhow, so my thoughts on playability probably don't count for much ... though I can say it isn't junk, like some of the cheap e-bay anglos. It is limited in range, but so are many instruments ... as long as you don't expect it to be something it isn't, it's fine. For my purposes, it's all I have, and the budget won't bear another, better one, so it's what I'm learning on. It may not be ideal, in terms of learning English playing in general, but it is what it is.

Hi folks! In the years since I last was on the forums, I have been without a concertina--I sold my Jackie in a clear-out (too many instruments, and it was mostly gathering dust) and intended to leave the squeezeboxes behind forever. Then I sort of accidentally on-purpose ended up winning an e-bay auction for a Stagi A-18 in good shape (a $200-or-so just-in-case bid took it). It's neat, and I quite like it, but it's also a little different, particularly in the way it fits the hands. What little skill I had with the Jackie has pretty much rusted all away anyway, so I'm essentially starting entirely over. I've done my forum research, and have found the PDFs of the layouts and scales posted by Delbert Blacketter and Dennis Gentofte (via Ladyhealer), and these have been a great visual reference (Thank You!). I also have plenty of books of tin whistle tunes and other trad tunes that are pitched in the right key and range, but a good general tutor that doesn't run at cross purposes with the mini layout would be nice too. Any recommendations on this one?

I'm a newbie (English) about 20 miles west of Fredericksburg (Unionville). It's a bit of a stretch, but I'd love to pop up now and again. It's funny, actually ... my wife spent her youth drivng (or being driven) once a week from the sticks (Madison, Va) into NoVa for harp lessons. Guess we just can't escape the gravitational pull of the DC area ...

So ... it came today, but I missed it, so I have to go pick it up at the post office tomorrow. Oh well ... the baby's asleep anyway, so it's probably better this way.

Thanks for the tip! I see they have the Alistair Anderson disc as well ...

I have downloaded the Butler Tutor (180p tag on the cover ... if only), and I have no intention of underestimating the included tutor, so that's two solid starts. I've also checked out Martyn's YouTube videos, and I'm looking forward to doing a bit of squeezing and squawking with him once the box arrives. I'll keep an eye out for the debut of the Alistair Anderson DVD as well. The English International recording may be a little harder to come by, however ... it isn't on Amazon, and a couple of brief web searches have only turned up UK vendors. Does anyone know a US outlet that might have it? Thanks again!

Hello All ... I've got a Jackie on the way (in the mail as we speak), and I'm curious what you think a beginner like myself really needs to get started--I'm thinking tutors, recordings, paraphernalia, etc. I'll be playing mostly English/Scottish folk/dance music and early American stuff, as well as Lutheran church music, and mostly accompanying my wife (more on this in this thread). I'll be getting the Jackie tutor, of course, and I can get things like the Salvation Army PDF, but the number of recommended books and recordings on this site would bust my budget many times over. We have plenty of sheet music sitting around, but I'm mostly an ear guy anyway (I play old-time banjo as my primary, if that tells you anything). So ... what should be at the top pf my list?

Actually, since he's gotten no love thus far, I bet you could just make him an offer ... it couldn't hurt. Then you could let the rest of us know how it plays.

It looks like nobody bit. It's been relisted at $399.

Thank you all for your input on this ... the decision is made. After looking through all the advice here, and sitting down with my wife (and some fingering charts), I've gone and purchased a "Jackie" through the C-net Buy/Sell forum. We've been talking about this for months, so it's nice to see it come together ... of course, now the burden is entirely on me, as I have to actually learn to play it ...

False alarm, my apologies

Sold yet? (PM sent)

I know it gets done to death, and I'm sorry for dragging it out again--it's just the peculiarity of the application that brings it up. My wife has certainly noticed the limitations of the Elise (in terms of available keys), but doesn't think it's much more than an inconvenience, given what she's thinking (and she does all the thinking there, since she's a semi-pro church musician, and does a fair bit of her own arranging/scoring). I probably will spend quite a lot of time with it, though I've no pretensions to potential virtuosity ... which is part of the reason for the question. I know that the Elise will more or less work for this right out of the box, which is why it's tempting, despite its drawbacks. How much will I have to bend over backwards to make the EC a good fit, in terms of switching relatively easily between chord/melody? I know it can be done, as folks here have pointed out, but if I'll need years of work to do it, then I might have to take the easy way out. Either way, the CC instruments are relatively inexpensive and hold their value well, so if one doesn't work I can sell it and try the other. Oh, and while I'm rambling ... which voicing would be more appropriate here for the EC? Jack, or Jackie?

Dang, that was fast ... I was online last night too, but didn't actually look. Well ... should it fall through, I'll step in. Take Care (and have fun with that new toy, Ken), Ryan

Well folks, I'm not an Anglo player, and I need to make some new decisions ... See, a couple of years ago, I excitedly bought (and sort of repaired) a cheap Anglo, with loads of support from folk here on Cnet. Unfortunately, it didn't stick--not for lack of interest per se, or the quality of the instrument, but because I could just never get my head 'round the push-pull aspect. I should have known--I have the same problem with harmonicas. So it goes ... I still play around with it, but mostly I use it to entertain my young son, and not for "serious" playing ... I haven't quite shaken the concertina bug, however, and I'm now looking to get an English-style box. I would primarily be accompanying my wife, who plays violin and harp, on Church/Folk/Trad. stuff, with a slight emphasis on Scottish/English tunes and ballads (she started off on Scottish-style fiddle and folk harp). I'm not exactly flush, so it's either a CC Elise Hayden Duet, or a Jack/Jackie English. I'm leaning toward the Elise, since it seems more versatile, but honestly it's just a shot in the dark. I've read the various pros/cons of each, but it hasn't gotten me very far. Given the specific intentions here, what do you all think?