up-fiddler

Here are a couple pics of the Lachenal. (If that is helpful.) Cheers, Dave

Hi all, Don Smith sent an email regarding a 24 button Lachenal I bought from him a decade ago and asked if I would forward the information to this discussion. My pre1900 Lachenal has 12 buttons on either side. The four additional notes are located at the top on either side. To play it (G/C) in a regular manner you simply slide both hands down one button. To add any of the additional notes you simply move your index finger up one button. The notes are as listed below: Bass side C-Row G# push/Bb draw G-Row E push/F draw Treble side C-Row C#push/Eb draw G-Row A push/G draw I hope this is helpful. Any other questions? Dave

I own my first ‘tina which is a Rochelle, a Morse, and a 24 button Lachenal. I love all three but for different reasons. Playability at a low price point is the Rochelle’s strength. The Morse is an exquisite instrument that plays like a dream. The little Lachenal, however, is the first instrument I reach for when I want to play a ditty in my living room. How it got there is the purpose of this post. I bought her from Don through ebay as an instrument which he had replaced leathers and done some minor work. I paid $500 for her. She played, though not as well as I had hoped, and was certainly worth the money spent. Unbeknownst to Don, the Lachenal had two notes which didn’t sound fully when it got to me. Perhaps the folks at UPS or the climate here in the U.P. of Michigan were the culprits. Either way, Don wasn’t responsible and thought he was selling a perfectly playable instrument. The story could have ended right there but Don had followed up with an email asking how the Lachenal was. I explained and he immediately set up an appointment with Greg Jowaisis to have it repaired at no charge to me. Don proved that he was a stand-up guy who was good to his word. Once the Lachenal went to Greg’s, he took a look inside and saw that the fix was minor. I had asked him to evaluate the instrument and recommend what else might be needed to make her a great instrument instead of a good one. Long story short, Greg added a new 7 fold bellows, rebushed all buttons, fixed the fretwork cracks, and adjusted the action. It added another $500 to the price of the instrument. But in the end I have a truly great instrument that sounds sweet and is quiet enough to play in my living room without scaring the cat for just around a thousand dollars. I can’t say enough about the integrity of Don and the repair work of Greg. Thanks to these two fine folks I have an 1897 Lachenal that my kids are already fighting over who gets it in the will. A heartfelt thanks to both of them.

Hi. Where are you and the Morse located? I have been looking for a C/G as I already own a G/D with Wheatstone fingering. Thanks, Dave.

PM sent. Dave

I don't mean to be a pest so I will bump this one time only. I am still looking for a used Morse in C/G. Thanks, Dave.

Hi t.here, I have a Tedrow 30 button up for sale. Concertina is c/g, rosewood ends, brass buttons, green bellows with jefferies papers with case. You can view a photo of it on Homewood Concertinas. thanks, jim Hi Jim, Thanks for the response. I looked at the Homewood site but couldn't find a used Tedrow up for sale there. Is there a link to the photos and price? Thanks, Dave.

Hello all. I currently own a Morse G/D with the Wheatstone layout and the rosewood stained ends. I am looking for used model in C/G. If necessary I would consider an ebony stained end model but it would still need the Wheatstone key pattern. PM me or email me if you prefer or simply reply to this post. I check in most days. Thanks, Dave.

I already have a G/D Morse that I bought new. If this was a C/G I would buy her in a heartbeat at this price. Someone is getting a heck of a deal on this. My stained cherry with Wheatstone layout was $1950 last spring. Are you certain it's not a C/G? (Wishful thinking.) Dave

Taught both Elementary and High School for 15 years then was a Principal and finally a Superintendent until retirement. I was blessed with a long career and now am equally blessed with a music laden retirement. Dave

Thanks for sharing the info. I MAY be able to attend but it is a 600 mile drive for me from the west end of the U.P. of Michigan. I am looking to see if another guy wants to tag along and help with the driving. Dave

After much study here I started with a Rochelle. I like it and still play it even though I bought a Morse in July. The two are different but both are enjoyable for different reasons. I didn't trade the Rochelle in since it is a C/G and I ordered the Morse in G/D. I don't regret keeping it at all. As others here say, it is an honest machine at an honest price. Good luck and have fun with whatever you end up getting, Dave.

Go for it and have fun, Yvonne. You can always put up a sign that says you are donating the $$$ to a local charity. Then it's a win-win for you and an organization that needs the $$$. Good luck, Dave.

Agreed. Also, if the Anglo is the way he chooses to go then I would give a +1 for the Rochelle. It is a nice instrument for what it does and what it costs. jmho, Dave.

Hey Brendan - Many folks may want to know what key the Morse is in. Is it a C/G? Dave