saguaro_squeezer

No, please don't sink to if u cn red ths thn u cn gt a gud job ......

I started with a used Jack (baritone) because I didn't know if I would continue. The bug has obvousley bitten me. But I'm an old music major so practicing scales is part and parcel with my regimen. I wanted a 48key to understand the hand to hand fingering. In the end, I've got 3 boxes but starting with the Concertina Connection one was a good choice for me. Deal with a reputable dealer (Button Box, Concertina Connection, Homewood) and you won't go wrong. My experience as a newcommer. Yours, of course, may vary! Enjoy the journey!

You're right M3838 but the dealers do feed our need without having to purchase and then resell if we're not happy. I won't complain about my dealings with Button Box or Chris ... they have to make their overhead. An ebay or craigslist seller won't usually stand behind a sale if something goes left of center. But your point is well taken.

I know that I bought my Jack used for $275 and sold it for $210. The $65 was worth the experience because it taught me what a good concertina action should be. Had I known about the trade-up, I may have bought new. Obviously, up to you and your finances... but had I known, I would have bought from a dealer offering trade-up. Unfortunately, Chris Alger doen't offer such a deal. That's a shame, to be sure ... but the darn VAT does him in.

There's something spooky about playing Eleanor Plunkett with both hands at the same time

Depending on your future plans, I'd try to buy from one ot the dealers that offers the purchase price trade in if you upgrade. Button Box, Concertina Connection and Homewood come to mind.

I might sign up to be a simpleton if I could play in Royal Albert Hall.

I'd love to see what a Crane driver is in German. I hope it's a really LONG word! Cheers, Rod in Tucson

Thank you, Hooves and John, for your welcome to the Club. I hope to prove worthy of your respect and envy ... hopfully just a wee bit of each since I'm pretty new to this and want to set realistic expectations I'd been sitting on the fence the last couple of months and my indecision caused me to not bid on that 48key Lachenal that Chris had on eBay. That it went for £750 was my wake-up call. As to the Wheatstone, after reading the Duet write-up here on C.net and looking at the fingering charts, I decided that a 55 key was what I really wanted. Chris had mine and a really nicely restored 48 key that were only £50 apart so getting the 55 key was an easy decision. John, I never had much luck with harmonica and so passed over Anglo on my quest for concertina. Hand to hand fingering seemed easier than push-pull. So, I agree with you on monosonic. I was, and am, particularly interested in plaing 4 part hymns and some of the finger changes on EC are pretty interesting. That is what led me to the Crane. What I really appreciate is not having to employ both hands in the melody ... though I'll admit that I think about it if I'm in that octave that crosses over between the two hands. Thanks, again, for the good wishes!

My apologies. 55 buttons, about 6.75" flat to flat, width 5"with bellows closed. Ebony ends, Frets by 'T'. Finished 8/11/41. Came in a case w/Salvation Army sticker on it. 6-fold bellows. Lovely, plain and sonorous. I need a lot of practice but can begin to sound out hymns today. Chris was most kind in putting up with my newbie questions ... and I can't thank him enough. I can only imagine what a 70 - 80 key Crabb would do to you ......

Wow! I got my Wheatstone Crane from Chris Alger today ... SN 35347 ... just a few days past its 68th birthday. Now I'm beginning to understand the opinions about Wheatstone, Lachenal, concertina reeds, accoridian reeds, etc. What a beautiful instrument. It's responsive, bright and just feels right. Don't get me wrong .. I love my Morse baritone and Lachenal EC but there is a difference between them and a real Wheatstone. Maybe it's the 'real' concertina reeds. Anyway, now I have representatives of Brass EC, Accordian EC and Steel Crane. And it even came in a Salvation Army box. I'll post pictures and a sound file later this week.

Sorry, meant to say 'beginner.' We're always learning

I'm not far above a learner myself but am partial to the Jackie and Jack from Concertina Connection. They're touted as a very good beginner's instrument and less costly than a Stagi. They come up on this forum and eBay also, or you could check with Wim at Concertina Connection or the Button Box. I don't know if there's an Australlian distributor for them. Price may be lower if you buy and ship from the US. That VAT adds quite a bit, doesn't it?

I guess that depends on which side of that ratio you're on

I didn't intend to hijack this thread but wanted to see about shippingtimes from UK to US. I'm really excited about the Crane over the Morse. Rod in Tucson

Just like "a watched pot never boils", "a waited for concertina never arrives". Also, the package won't be concertina shaped, it'll be a cube...or at least it started out as a cube, after going through the caring hands of the postal service, there's no telling what it'll look like. I hope it's insured. Just kidding! I'm sure it'll be fine. drbones, how long did it take you to get your Crane from Chris?

I've got a 55key Crane coming the other way from Chris Alger. Mine leaves on Monday so the race is on!

Thank you Jim. I was looking in the price lists to see about a model 74 but did not see one. Did the SA keep records of who was assigned a particular insturment? That could be interesting

Paul, I want to thank you too! Your .pdf download will keep me learning for many happy months. Do you take paypal donations?

I'm assuming that the model 7x were Cranes. Mine's listed as a model 74. Now if only I could do as well with my Lachenal EC. The Morse, no problem!

The labelling is reversed but in the photos, it's (obviously) the 55key.

Hi Tallship, You're right, it is 'FRETS T.' That sounds plausable. I know that there are other entries that say 'Duet' which may be Maccann? Then again, it was 8/41 and probably not as pleasant a time as others. Thanks for your reply.

I'm about to buy a Wheatstone Crane Duet from Chris at Barleycorn. The S/N is 35347 and it's showing 8 Aug, 1941 as it's birthdate. In the ledger, it calls out E 55key FRETST. Can anyone help with the meaning for FRETST? Thanks for any help, Rod

Hopefully not commentary on your choice of tunes ....

For those of you who already play with Cranes .... which is preferable? What are the size and weight differences? Do the ABC + accidentals really matter since they're at the top of both ranges? Thanks for all replys! Rod in Tucson