saguaro_squeezer

Thank you, Jim. I was looking at a couple of layouts and it's not that random ... certainly no more so than a Bandoneon or Chemnitzer.

I’m looking to add a Jeffries Duet to the family, preferably based around C ... is that the way to catagorize them?

Thanks, Wunks! Sounds similar to looking for Cranes with the desired low notes ... actually almost any Duet, right? Are Jeffries Duets fairly standard to a point before they begin varying ... similar to the base 55 key Crane vs larger ones?

Gary's new book, "Sailor Songs for Concertina" showed up in my mail box yesterday. It's GREAT ... and a perfect add-on to his Pirate Songs book. I'm an unabashed fan of Gary's books since I started attempting the Anglo, primarily because provides a clear rendition of dots and chords. The tabs are useful to see some accompaniment rhythm but they confuse me, I'll admit. So I played through a few item last night on the Tedrow Harley and then again on one of the Cranes ... that's what I really like about Gary's books, they're clear enough ... and it could just be the size of the print on these eyes ... that you can just pick up and play. Well done, Gary!

I started with EC and switched to Crane after about 6mo, but not without some books. I have the set of Dick Miles books in as new condition: The Concise English Concertina Song Accompaniment for the English Concertina The Sailor's Dream The Button Box wants $35/ea plus postage for these; the second is out of stock and the third is no longer available. I'll take $50 for the set, plus postage and any Paypal fees.

Made my c.net donation. Thank you, Paul!

How near are you to Auckland? Dirge (David Gardiner?) is a long-time Maccann player and a Kiwi. If you're near him, he could certainly tell you what it needs and might be worth. You might try to post a message to him to see ... use the message envelope in the upper right corner beside your logged-in name.

That would fit nicely between my Lachenal and Crabb Maccans, Wolf.

After a long ( and pleasant ) facebook discussion ... the eventual purchase from a player in Cananda of a concertina in England ... and a wait in Nigel Sture's queue, my 66-button Crabb Crane #10023 is ready to come to its new home. Down to F2 on the left and G3 on the right, newly overhauled built in 1947 by Harry Crabb (Geoff's father) and one of only about 6 made in this style (with binding around the edges of the end-plates) ... I'm really excited about getting my hands on it to play it.

I've added a Crabb miniature EC to my family of Crabb Concertinas. #10169, it's somewhere in the 1947 - 1950 range ... without the benefit of having asked Geoff Crabb to verify it.

This is the layout, Wolf.

Dirge always spoke highly of the 72b size of Maccann.

That is a lovely Crane, Little John. I followed it on Alex's Pinterest feed but to see it all at once and read you description of it makes it that much better! Thank you! And thank you, Alex, for bringing another Crane into the world!

Conzertino, it's a shame that you didn't catch me a couple of months ago. I did find a nice ELA Kusserow on the same German eBay site that you're using but it was a bit more costly. Still, it's an interesting fingering pattern, especially in the right hand. For those that are interested, here is a video description ... in German, but you can get the idea ... also, a fingering chart ... scannen0011.bmp

These are now sold.

Alex, I have a mix of raised-end and flat-end Cranes. I guess I do like the raised-end a bit better because the throw of the button feels shorter, although my big 79-key Crabb Maccann is a flat-ended beast and has a pretty short throw. I will say that I do like the 66 button's plated ends. They're stunning.

I thought that too, Jim, when I first saw the pictures. I'll have to measure to make certain but it doesn't feel as wide as either of my Lachenals (42 & 48 ). I know that I'm partial to the Crabb 'chevron' layout.

So, it arrived yesterday and my goodness, what a wonderful Crane. I'd hoped that it was in reasonable shape when I bought it ... it was ... and that no major issues were lurking ... there weren't. It plays like a Crabb should, light and responsive with that Crabb 'bark' that I like if you push it a bit. Having down to G3 on the RH sure makes a lot of those melodies easier than having to cross to the LH. And it has 8 folds! Nigel did a great restoration job. I'd purchased TJ's Connor last summer and that has been my gold standard for Cranes since it plays so effortlessly, but the only difference between it and this Crabb is the button size and shape ... the Connor has slightly larger and more rounded buttons. Of course, Connor worked for Crabb in the 70's didn't he? Looking back, this transaction took all of a year to complete from my first contact on FB to receipt. Made some new friends along the way, got a wonderful instrument at a very reasonable price and another Crabb saved ... lots of wins here!

Selah, sending you a PM

Frank, you should contact Greg Jowaisas who is on this list. In the US, he's your best bet.

Frank, that J. Riley could be a dealer, not a maker, though the 1879 Post Office Directory of Birmngham does list a John Riley & Sons. https://books.google.com/books?id=dO8NAAAAQAAJ&pg=RA1-PA546&lpg=RA1-PA546&dq=j.+riley+%26+sons+birmingham+musical+instrument+dealer&source=bl&ots=_f36MQvhy3&sig=ACfU3U0Fo33hMcLr2n_gwC7kz5rc8UoNEA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjn58yO1_rhAhWlg-AKHWy-DkkQ6AEwBnoECAwQAQ#v=onepage&q=j. riley %26 sons birmingham musical instrument dealer&f=false

Here's a link to the concertina https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Concertina-In-Wood-Case-J-Riley-Birne-Button-Accordion/143228896136?hash=item21591b8388:g:MGcAAOSwM7Fcwk91&frcectupt=true

I found something that looks like a UK courier service called mygermany.com. They offer DHL Express and two levels of Fedex to the US for much better than going direct to those companies. I’ll report back on how it progresses.

This may be for Wolf or Comzertino but who is the best carrier to use when shipping from Germany to US? FedEx and UPS are just too expensive and the EU doesn’t seem to have the same type of courier service as the UK. I’d appreciate any advice! kind regards, Rod

Show us some pictures, Fusty. We Crane drivers are always interested!