AndyNT

I'd be tempted to keep looking for a 30 key instrument to get you started on your Anglo journey, if a 20 button C/G will not let you play the type of music you want e.g. lots of stuff in D. There are usually one or two Stagi/Gremlin instruments on FB Marketplace in the UK for around £200-300.

Hi Gregor, that looks to be an octave lower than a 'standard' G/D which starts a G2 rather than G1.

The only thing I avoid is leaving instruments in a locked car parked in the sun, as the temperature inside can soar! Otherwise just be careful around BBQs, beer, and rain storms!!! Of course, your fellow campers may have different views about a concertina!

This web site is very helpful in sorting out Anglo notes - https://anglopiano.com/ Accordion reeds are paired (push/pull) on one plate, so you will need a A5/B5 reed plate. Definitely look for someone repairing button accordions as they are most likely to have a suitable spare reed plates. Perhaps Contact Scott at https://bellingersbuttonboxes.com/ If he can't help, he'll likely know someone..... (1-585-208-9617).

I'm confused on what you are trying to achieve. A picture of your current case would be helpful. My brand new G/D Kensington (7 fold bellows) was shipped safely across the Atlantic last autumn in a Peli im2075, as fitted out by Dana with velvet and corner blocks. The Peli case itself is very rugged and the concertina ends are held snugly by the corner blocks so will not move around within the case if it is dropped. (The concertina in its case fell off a chair the day after I received it with no damage at all!!!) I have since bought another im2075 and fitted it out in a similar fashion for my Norman. I did consider buying the foam lining kit for the Peli, and customising that to fit the instrument. But in the end decided to follow Dana's example. Peli cases are used professionally worldwide to protect and ship delicate equipment of all types. The important thing is to stop the contents from moving around within the case.

Same with me. My band and morris instruments (concertina & melodeon) are all modern for this reason. So if you are intending to play the concertina in a 'professional' setting then I'd lean towards the Morse. If it is more for personal use and learning, then the lower price Lachenal is probably more attractive. I'd try to listen to both of them, before making any decision.

That's definitely something for my Christmas present list! BTW when are you hoping to publish the music book? This year?

Gail Have you tried any of the concertina apps? They might provide an alternative way to practice finger movements. For example - https://appcordions.com/concertinas/ from Michael Eskin of this parish PS I've never tried them!

Thanks, I'm aware of that one. However it is outside my budget.

I have Kensington and Norman G/D Anglos which I regularly in harmonic style for morris and in a ceilidh band. I am now looking for a modern hybrid C/G Anglo to explore some other musical areas. My budget is limited and I'm not interested in a vintage instrument. An instrument from one of the modern British makers would be ideal e.g. Marcus, Norman, APJames, Wolverton, or something of similar quality construction. If you have a potentially suitable instrument you are looking to rehome, then please send me a message or email with details and costs. As I'm in the UK, importing is probably not financially viable. Thanks

Practice, practice and practice, and then practice it more - without the dots. Even if it hasn't got words, still sing it out loud to get the tune firmly into your head. It is surprising what your fingers will sort out for themselves once you 'know' the tune. I find it also helps me if I listen to other people playing the tune, perhaps on YouTube or Spotify. It helps to build that mental picture of how the tune sounds.

Richard, if you get your bike sized and set up for you then you should have no problems. I mainly ride a touring bike with drop handle bars, however my riding position is relaxed and reasonably upright, not hunched over like a racer. However I also ride a straight bar mountain bike from time to time. One important thing to watch is your wrist position when riding, they should be straight and relaxed, not twisted, sideways or upwards. If they are, then you need to change something. It could be the angle of the brake levers on straight bars, or the angle of the drop bars, or ....... Just make sure you are comfortable on your bike, then you will enjoy it. Take the time to get the saddle and handlebar heights just right - 1cm can make a big difference to your comfort 😀

Dana, I'm very glad you made my lovely, and much admired, G/D concertina for me last year!! Your workmanship is exquisite and will last for generations. Enjoy the rest of your life! Best wishes, Andy PS Have you thought of sharing your years of acquired knowledge and experience with some of the new young makers?

Barleycorn Concertinas is always a good place to start for a fair priced quality vintage instrument. Give Chris Algar a call.

.......and after starting this thread, I did eventually invest in some, and I'm very happy with their performance for ceilidhs etc I attach the mics to the straps of my Kensington anglo using their 'saddle-clips'. As I play standing, I use the belt clip on the preamp with then lead then going to a muting DI box. This avoids the need to keep turning the preamp off, whenever I switch to playing the melodeon, and so invariably changing the gain setting when I switch back again! Looking at Doug's pics, it is interesting to see that his mics appear to plug in to the preamp. On mine, they are hard-wired in.