Geoff Wooff

I am not sure that would be a good idea. Over the last few years of playing in Balfolk ensembles where the most common key is C I crave to be able to spread the work over three fingers and sometimes use an EC tuned a whole tone flat.

Yes indeed RAc, I've never tried a big Crane but the top of a Maccann can and the Crane could have simliar problems. However the Jeffries with their round wire action levers, squashed flat at the pivot point are prone to wear more than Wheatstone's.

For the most part when playing an Anglo, or Duet, the fingers press the buttons fairly perpendicular, in line with the button's up and down motion . On the English this is also true in the middle range but if one is using notes at the extremities of the keyboard , or playing wide spread chords, it is often necessary to access buttons with a finger at an obique angle. The attached photo shows an extreme case but with a worn mechanism buttons will jamb.

Such a thing is a real rarity and , though I wish you luck finding one, I would advise against it as a practical instrument. About 35 years ago I had a 48 Treble Jeffries which would have been a fine instrument when it was made, probably 100+ years ago. Unfortunately the Jeffries action, which in an Anglo does not have to cope with much sideways thrust, was not up to the task for an English and far inferior to that of a Wheatstone. I have seen the insides of many Jeffries Anglos and worn out action is very common. Yes the reeds and the tone spoke in that distinct Jeffries fashion and perhaps with a rebuilt or new action it could be a fine instrument. Happy searching.

Firstly, if you can read music there is a host of material available in most genres but if like a lot of people, who play ITM and English folk music 'by ear' surely you can learn tunes from you husband or his sources. I play the English, for the most part and enjoy ITM, Scottish , French Trad and period accordeon tunes also classical music, ragtime .... well, almost anything that takes my fancy. I'd say the world's your oyster. Good luck .

It could be that the reed shoe is slightly loose in the reedpan which would cause it to rattle when played. Try pushing the reed fully into the slot and check that it feels secure.

Where are the two sets of reeds then ? It looks more like a single voice with closed inner chamber...... which is not a very unusual feature on a George Case.

These pins prevent the valves from slapping against the pallet board when the air passing through the inboard reeds open them. The audible click they make can be annoying.

Good Point !!

A sewing pin can make a suitable replacement, you just need to snap off a short section with a wire cutter... perhaps 6mm long. The sharp pointed end of the pin can then be carefully pushed into the wooden wall of the chamber.

Generally the metal ended concertinas will have a brighter tone, often a little louder. If you sing to your concertina then a wooden ended model is probably a better choice. The size of the holes or openess of the fretwork will have an effect on the tone and volume. The metal ends are less likely to get damaged or need refinishing.

For the detection and pin pointing of leaks I use a Stethoscope, bought at a flea market as part of a blood pressure measuring kit. Removing the 'sounding' flat from the tube end one can use the device to locate small breezes from ill fitting pads , cracks in the wood or holes in bellows etc. I fitted a small diameter nozzle in the rubber tube to increase accuracy.

Very sad news. David made a fine bellows for me a short few years ago. Condolences to his family and friends.

Not heard of another with Bronze reeds but the fashion of 'tropicalizing' concertinas for use in harsh climates did exist, with Brittish missionaries traveling out to India, Ceylon and Africa etc. That Bronze reeded Wheatstone I mentioned above was ordered new by the owner, from Australia in the 1920's. Most of us have seen very few Jeffries' English Concertinas , those that I have seen had steel reeds and Rosewood ends... so, I'm thinking that your metal ended/ Bronze reeded model is a sensible compromise for a hard life in rough conditions. Made to order ?

For an 1875 Wheatstone English I suggest sending the old bellows, or just the wooden hoops, to Concertina Connection in the USA. They offer a bellows of lighter weight, similar to the original type fitted to your instrument. I have one of their bellows on my 1890's Wheatstone , it gets plenty of use and abuse, it is flexible and airtight. Contact them at www.concertinaconnection.com PS; my advice..... don't skimp on the bellows.