chris angus

August 11, 2010

Hi Chris

This is the first time I have used a web discussion group so forgive any lack of technical or protocol knowledge. Theo Gibb emailed to let me know this instrument was on the market as he knows I am looking for a back up for my main instrument which is showing occasional signs of wear and tear hardly surprising the way I play the poor thing.

I heard Tom play his Boyd Wheatstone many times - a fine player and a fine instrument. Not all Boyd Wheatstones have the same characteristics of attack and dynamic but they are nearly all good instruments. I may well be in the market for this instrument and would be very interested to play it to see how it compares to other similar instruments I have played over the years. I could pop down to Huddersfield some time to suit.

Best wishes

Alistair Anderson

Hi Alistair,

I'll mail you my address as a private message

Chris

August 10, 2010

...

After 30 years my wife only complains about me, not my playing.

The brightness and timbre are an appealing point of the metal ends and the Boyd design makes it unique and special. While the ebony is a bit more subdued, I play in some instances where a brighter and more powerful sound would be a plus. One can control volume. Is it for sale?

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Yes, this is for sale -

From the above discussions and bearing in mind it was Tom's then something in the roegion of £3000 would seem appropriate.

August 10, 2010

whereabouts are you chris?

huddersfield - west yorkshire - UK

August 10, 2010

I have been actively seeking an Eboney ended Tenor Treble 56 key Wheatstone. However this sounds very enticing. I also found this neat link where Boyd is mentioned. http://www.concertina.com/maccann-duet/Maccann-Concertinists-Guide.pdf

Does the instrument need any work?

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Hi, in as much as I can tell I do not believe that it requires any non-cosmetic work.

Unfortunately the limit of my playing is to play a scale so I've done little more than kick the tyres.

However the bellows are extremely sound with no leaks and each of the 56 keys sound on both the in and out movements.

The left thumbstrap is sound but looks like it frayed and been repaired by Tom (this can be seen on the picture with the concertina in the box).

August 8, 2010

I have for sale the English concertina owned and played by the late great Tom Prince.

Tom (or uncle tommy to me) played this and used it to lead the accordian band I played in - Tom lived in the same village as me and taught me the accordian when I was a child. I later went on to join him in playing for Benfieldside morris and rapper side.

When Tom died in '86 his English concertina came to me by way of his son and although I've continued to play the accordian I have never been able to devote the time to this concertina that it deserves.

Now I'm a dad myself and although my lads are curious about the concertina it looks like they don't have an iterest in learning.

As a result I'd like to find a good home for Tom's concertina.

This is the Concertina which Tom used day in-day out - Tom also had a octagonal one but this one was his main workhorse.

There are some pictures of Tom on the "Friends of Concertina Internationals" facebook group and all of these are picture Tom playing this 'tina

http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?oid=114269261941142&view=all

I do not know for definite what make/model this is as it does not seem to have its plates etc but I believe I was told it was a Wheatstone - hopefully someone could determine that from the photographs.

As far as I can determine the bellows and reeds are sound on both the out and the in.

After all that preamble I am struggling to know how to value this so would be grateful if folks on this group that are more clued up than me about concertinas could take a view on its worth open a discussion and help me find a home for it.

Many thanks

Chris