saguaro_squeezer

Larry, that's part of what got me interested. Playing hymns is a fascinating exercise in harmony. Religious discussions ... well, that's something else. I appreciate your thoughtful response.

I've already been corresponding with Chris and he's got three Wheatstones to choose from. I was just hoping to try one first, since even shipping to and from Chris would be about $165. Clefs and music aren't a bother, thankfully. I guess you're right, Jim, that the two fingerings shouldn't help or hinder each other provided the brain switch stays functional

I'm getting quite distracted with the idea of getting a Crane Duet to add to my two ECs. The fingering looks like it would be easy to pick up since I'm a longtime brass insturment player and very used to odd combinations of three fingers to produce sound. Trouble is, they're all the things that an object of desire shoud be, scarce, expensive, etc. Hence, my two questions .. Does anyone play EC and Crane Duet regularly or do/did you find that it ended up being one or the other? Is there anyone close to Tucson, AZ that has a Crane duet that would let me, with proper reverence of course, gently squeeze it to see if I like the fingering or it's all in my head? Thanks for your attention! Rod

The Jack has been sold to a gentleman in Albany. It's a bit cooler and more humid there. He's been a friend to me in my learning and I hope the same for his new post. Paul, I will be sending the appropriate donation. Thanks, Rod in Tucson

LDT, You're probably a lot further along than I am but having taught myself a number of other instruments when I was MUCH younger, I find this helpful .... I play until I'm making more mistakes than correct notes. I won't admit when this happens! Have a good night's sleep Play every scale and exercise that you think you need Listen to the tuen again Play it. I'm finding that I get much better the second day, after a rest. Jimmie Allen, Portsmouth, Princess Royal and some other standards are now feeling much bettter. I know that these are probably simple tunes to where you are, but the rest and repeat mantra feels like it helps me. And lots of scales, of course. Cheers, Rod in Tucson

Sorry, I forgot to mention ... but it goes wthout saying ... that the appropriate donation will be made to this site upon sale.

Hello, Now that I've found my Morse, I'll need to part with my Jack. It's probably 6 months old. I bought it from ebay in May from a fellow who claimed '2 months usage.' It plays well, and is, I think, as nice and tight as a new one. Button Box offered me $210 in trade, so that's what I'll take for it. Buyer pays the shipping. Rod in Tucson.

And now, it's mine! What a nice fellow Mr O'Sullivan is ... and what a lovely Dipper he has. Thanks, Paul, for making this happen! Rod in Tucson

Well, Seanc, after this remark about Tubas, perhaps you'd better take Dirge's advice about that pistol Now that that's settled, what about Wim's Elise? I tried it and a Stagi at the Button Box a couple of weeks ago. Intersting compared to EC (which I confess, I'm just learning) but I think I'll go with a Crane when I get a Duet. I've resisted the Buy It Now reflex for the moment ... must not look ....help .... Rod in Tucson

Hello Jim, Thank you for your reply. I had a feeling that it would be something like that. Rod

Theo, I sent you a PM. Rod

Hi Tallship, This is the version that I'm wanting to play. I'm not at all versed in abc but found this version and the notes line up woth the ones in my sheet music. X:1 T:Small Coals an’ Little Money T:Small Coals and Ready Money L:1/8 M:C S:Bruce & Stokoe – Northumbrian Minstrelsy (1882) Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion K:Ador e2 cA eA B/c/d|e2 cA dG B/c/d|e2 cA eA B/c/d|edge dG B/c/d:| |:eAcA eA B/c/d|eAcA dG B/c/d|eAcA eA B/c/d|edge dG B/c/d:| Thanks, Rod in Tucson

Sorry, it should be "Small Coals and Little Money." There's a YouTube video of this from The Music Room in the UK. I found the music. For those of you who play this tune on EC, what fingerings do you use for the second part, since the e1-a and d1-b jumps would be 1st finger. Do you use fingers R1,2.3 on a,c1,e1 and L1,2,3 on g,b,d1? I hope that this isn't a silly question. Thanks, Rod in Tucson

Thank you for that information, Lawrence. I thought I'd have to put them on my household policy. It's good to know that the option exists. Do you know if it covers instruments being shipped, also? Rod in Tucson

I'm currently in the middle of a trip and am carrying two concertinas, my Jack (Gig Bag) and a new to me Morse in its hard case. S****W*** didn't mind if I carried them on, so the hard case is in the overhead and the gig bag at my feet. The hardest time I had was the security check point that wanted to test for explosive residue. I offered to play him a tune and he said that he could make a joke about pushing buttons but would probably get fired ... so I let him off the hook. Of course, he did ask me why I cicn't just call it an 'accordian' ... maybe I should rig up a Hohner or something CPOS with wires ... Rod In Tucson

She reverted to her roots and will only play a pentatonic scale?

Just to follow up, I did end up buying this instrument and am looking forward to Greg tuning it to concert pitch. If anyone can point me to some good brass-reed sound files, I'd be very grateful. Sincerely, Rod

That seems unnecessarily restrictive. I currently live in Denmark... though on "our" Constitution Day I was singing at a festival in Norway And I've just saluted America's Independence Day with a wee spot of single-malt Scotch. July 4 is my father's birthday. He's not around to celebrate it with me, but I'll do it in his absence. Even a cup or tea. Then again, I also observe Boxing day so go figure? Rod In Tucson

Greg, It's a Lachenal 48key EC, brass reeds, bone buttons, rosewood ends. According to Tony's estimate, it needed a gusset patch on the bellows, a couple of worm holes patched, new thumbstrap and valves and pads. He allegedly had all of this done except a retune to CP ... which I'll have done if I buy it. <Post edited to remove personal information> Rod

Thanks Greg and Stephen. That was great information. Acoustics was one of my favorite subjects in college (how many years ago ...) and this makes cents to me The seller said it was Lachenal #47838 which puts it around 1914. He also said that he had it worked on by someone on this forum. Greg, there's no chance that you're the guilty party, is there? I really appreciate your responses Rod

Hello. I'm considering a brass-reed Lachenal 48 key treble. I haven't played it yet, but the seller said it was in 'old tuning.' I know that I would want concert pitch if I wanted to play (nicely) with others. I'd appreciate advice on the following questions: How much would it cost to retune a concertina? What, exactly, is 'old tuning'? Thanks, in advance, for any help! Rod

Thanks for pointing it out However, I'd prefer to buy within the UK - and thus be able to try in advance and avoid paying import tax. I'm sorry tzirtzi ... I keep forgetting that you're across the pond.

I'm looking at a concertina from a private seller and wondered how others have handled this? The 'tina is too far away to visit ... long airline flight. Do you use an escrow service? Sorry to bother. Rod

Button Box has a Lachenal 48 key treble for a (what seems) a reasonable price. I know that Britt will send it on perusal (sp?) if you pay the freight. Sorry for the plug ... not connected but they're really helpful on the phone. Rod

Mike, That's a great site. Thanks! Rod