Geoff Wooff

Yes... buy it.

Ah Ha! My ears did not deceive me. There is a particular tone quality that Alf Edwards produces, perhaps it is the particular concertina he recorded with in the early post war period. Stephen Chambers might enlighten us further about Alf's concertina. Many thanks Irene, you are a mine of information!!

Watching the 1950 film Ha'penny Breeze yesterday I was pleasantly surprised to hear some very fine concertina playing on the soundtrack . Though I have so far not been able to ascertain who the player was, but it certainly sounds like Alf Edwards. Seen on Talking Pictures TV ( in the UK). They'll probably repeat it. Any thoughts ?

There are many things that can influence the output volume of a concertina. The 20key being 'tighter' would suggest you should be getting a better attack when a button is pressed with more compression available. However, if everything else is equal, and it can never really be, then the extra reeds of the 30 key instrument will have a slight deadening effect on the reed pans. More likely the height that the pads lift, and how soft they are, how well the reedpans fit into the bellows and how flat the wood of the reedpans and padboards are and the well fitting of the gaskets . Even the wood of these pieces can make a large difference. What matters ? Everything !

Very nice Alan! Cannot help with a name unfortunately.

A nice thought Alex, but having tried the MacCann and the Hayden/Wikki I cannot see why a 'duet beginner' would want to start on a budget Crane or MacCann other than the availability of real quality vintage instruments when they wanted to upgrade. The Hayden/Wikki is definately the easiest keyboard to learn, IMO, and the only problem has been in the supply of fine quality instruments.

There is a serial number visible, though none too clear, and it looks like 818 perhaps ?

Key Valve and Wrist Straps. Prior to the air button being operated by a "Key" there was a " Slide Valve" a lever that the thumb actuated with a sideways movement (S.V.) .

Yes indeed Stephen, thumb straps from Wim Wakker. I had a pair from Mr. Wakker that were very comfortable but they needed replacing I took them to pieces and copied the construction method. I am very happy with the results. Just order new ones from Concertina connection.

It is on ebay now.

Try www.leboncoin.fr there is a nice looking 34key Jones for sale in the south end of France for €1900.

Thanks for your reply Ciaran. It is looking a little uncertain at the moment. Of course sending goods abroad VAT exempt is the main starting point but how will all this affect incoming goods and part exchanges ? Oh, I don't expect an exact answer and realize this must be a dreadful headache for you guys.

Hello Ciaran, as Ken mentions the thread about the new rules regarding duties and VAT, perhaps you could give us your thoughts especially with regard to cross border sales UK to EU. It has been suggested by someone who has read the new regulations for imports into Ireland that duties and VAT could amount to 33% of the value of the goods!! We can assume a similar burden being imposed by other European countries and going back into the UK.

Indeed Adrian, it has been that way with my customers for many years. Some have come from New Zealand and the USA to collect their new instruments ! I bought a concertina from Australia a few years ago, this century, and there was no duty or other costs involved, though one of my American customers did have problems trying to send an instrument back to me for adjustments.

It all sounds horrific to anyone who might be contemplating buying or selling into the UK. My question today is: What is the situation when someone living outside the UK wishes to trade up their concertina with a UK based dealer ? Example; say the UK dealer will part exchange your current instrument , after appraisal , when you buy another from them . The complexity of taxes charged coming in and going out could be prohibitive .

Whatever position you feel most comfortable with, I would think that is the right one.

A cranked , or convoluted path, lever combined with a non riveted action, as in a Lachenal, can result in sideways wear at the pivot and the lever can start to lean to one side under the force of the spring. You could try mounting the spring on the other side of the lever but otherwise some remedial work might be needed.

Many thanks Tiposx, really informative photos.

Congratulations! How's about a blow by blow account of the work ?

Yes, the same as the one posted at the start of this topic.

There is a Gaucho for sale currently in France for €130 if anyone is interested I can send a link.

Well, you have bitten off a lot there, I wish you good luck with learning to play it.

Go to www.concertina.com lots of information there about various keyboards.

Thanks for posting Steve , this video is most enjoyable and I hope it encourages more young people to take up a concertina, the little squeeze box that changed my life.

It is within arms reach, for actuating the function buttons, so quite close. I like to use it on a table as opposed to on a tripod so I can move it about with ease and there are no trailing cables. The room I used is my workshop where I am very familiar with the acoustics and the recordings sound natural to me. I should add that my wife uses a similar device which includes a speed control function. This is very useful for slowing down tunes recorded from any outside source as an aid to learning and /or transcribing .