Mike Franch

OMG! "Ridiculously inappropriate" is one of the larger understatements that I've ever read! How to get the memory out of my mind?

At the risk of expanding the topic (although certainly keeping within the subject heading), I've long been curious about how bowing valves affected the sound. I once played a New Model that I think still had them--levers were still on both sides and I assumed that they hadn't been converted to be air valves--but I couldn't get them to affect the sound. Are there any recordings that illustrate bowing valves in use? Mike

I can't believe I watched the whole thing! While I understood only about seven words (all cognates), it was just so much fun watching this guy's enthusiasm for bellows instruments. Plus, there were some concertinas there, the rectangular "German" style ones and even a couple of English concertinas. And did I hear a hornpipe?

You can tell the vintage concertinas that badgers played, they're the ones with the scratches around the buttons.

Wonderful! Those two kids put me to shame!

I asked a German friend about this. She replied, "It looks like a special event at a "Musikverein" (musical society) - of which were many; even the smallest town or village has one! " She, too, loved the plumage on the hats. --Mike

Very clever and simple, but the handle on the right-hand box made me a bit nervous, I have to say! Maybe it's just a bit of scuffing on the top of an otherwise solid handle?

Another thing to think about is learning to play it. Wouldn't it be neat to get enjoyment out of your mother's concertina?

Lovely instrument with a lovely pedigree. Since no one has yet mentioned this, I'll comment about the hexagonal wooden case. It's lovely, but not the thing to keep the instrument in, at least as it's designed to sit on its bottom. It might work sideways, unless it would roll. The reason is that keeping the concertina vertical will result in the leather valves on the bottom distorting as gravity pulls them down. It can also be tricky putting the instrument into and getting out of the box. I'm sure others on the list will chime in on their preferred ways of keeping their concertinas safe: some prefer waterproof plastic boxes (originally designed for other uses), modern concertina cases, or padded camera bags. In any case, you'll want it stored horizontally with a bit of compression.

How would these round holes, as opposed to traditional scroll work, affect the sound of the instrument? I assume it would, given various discussions over the years about fretwork.

John is correct that there is a tradition of offensive negative stereotypes against various groups. I won't comment on how that might have played out in the treatment of these groups in Britain, but the continuing discrimination and violence against African Americans in the U.S. makes concern over "blackface" and the minstrel show tradition more than a matter of "political correctness." That said, I think "Minstrel" is a fine name for a concertina.

I wonder if they were made after Wheatstone acquired some of the Lachenal equipment when Lachenal went under. I've seen a Edeophone-looking instrument that was Wheatstone badged. I didn't get a look inside.

You might also contact Greg Jowaisas, who is on this list or is reachable at gjowaisas (at)insightbb.com. He restores vintage concertinas and often (sometimes?) hs instruments for sale in the range you want. Anything you'd buy from him would be in very good working order and, in my experience, a good value.

I often find that when playing my EC while processing that it helps steady it by holding it high, with my elbows braced against my body.

Echoing Wolf. Hope you'll hop back into the forum.