nkgibbs

Neil, A "made-to-order special" is exactly what it strikes me as. I don't believe I've never seen an Anglo with a 4-row treble and 3-row bass before, the fingering could be just about anything ... Dear Stephen, This seems to be the general conclusion of the various feedback that I have received . There appears to be a normal 30 button layout within the 50 keys but I am still mapping out the other 40 notes! Thanks, Neil

Dear Howard, Chris and Jim, Many thanks for your very helpful comments. The 50 button Jefferies that Jim mentions is interesting because it seems to have exactly the same layout as the Duet shown at the bottom of this page. Could the anglo have once been a duet?? I am in the process of mapping the layout with a tuner and you are correct in suspecting that there is a reasonably standard 30 button layout buried within the 50 buttons! I think that one of the home keys is Bflat but still haven't quite worked out the other.........would F sharp be too weird??? Many Thanks, Neil

Daniel, In this case I think they were probably inspired by all the German concertinas that were made with "trumpet holes" around the sides like that. They may also function as a kind of "monitor", to let the player hear better what he's doing! Dear Stephen, Do you happen to have any layout diagrams for 50 button Anglos? Thanks, Neil

I have a 50 button Lachenal Anglo (see below) and before getting it retuned wonder whether anyone who has a 50 button Anglo (or any make and key) or has had experience with such a beast, could tell me what their button layout is? Many Thanks, Neil Left End Right End

It is the one that Chris HAD on ebay. Apparently it isn't that much bigger than a standard box but maybe you are refering to its weight??!!

Hello, I have been searching the web trying to find information about 50 button anglos (see below). They don't seem to appear on old catalogues/price lists and so I wonder whether they were made-to-order specials. I would appreciate hearing your views. Thanks, Neil

Dear David, Many apologies. I included even more F# s than than exist on my 28 button box. The attachments now show the correct 28 key layout. Thanks, Neil

Hi, I wonder if you experts could offer some advice as to why the former owner of my 28-key Nickolds Anglo should have had the attached layout. If there is a clear logic to it I will keep it but I am afraid that I cannot immediately see what that logic is! I would also very much welcome any suggestion about what the 'ideal 28-key' layout might be (is it just a standard Lachenal 30-key layout with the top left and right keys omitted?). Many Thanks, Neil

Thanks Stephen, thought so, although the seller is still saying that it is a 'high-end Lachenal' that was repaired by Jones!????? Yours, Neil

Could members please tell me whether I am correct in suggesting to this ebay seller that the concertina they are advertising as a Lachenal has a George Jones trademark (see trade mark picture below). Many Thanks, Neil

Neil, So you haven't read my second article about Louis Lachenal then? You will find an almost identical one (only in much better condition) there. Dear Stephen, Of course I have read your article.....but not recently!! Thanks, Neil

Hi, Does anyone have any views on this anglo that has recently appeared on ebay? From the view of the pads it looks like an English-made box?? Cheers, Neil

Have just received the 28 button anglo below and taken it to Roy Whiteley who confirmed it as a Jones. What was interesting was that almost all the reeds were nickel-silver (German-silver). I get the impression that this material was used on earlier concertinas. Also, the action (sorry, wrote reed pans in title and don't seem to be able to change) pans were hardwood. Would these features help to date the concertina?? Cheers, Neil

Dear Chris and Peter, It's good to know that there are people so close playing concertinas! Many thanks for your helpful and supportive comments. I am certainly not ready to 'perform' in front of 'fast and scary' musicians!! I wonder whether you might consider going to one of the Mobberley meetings some time, all with concertinas in hand??? Doing this would let them know that there are local hexagonal squeezers!!!! Chris, do you have the details?? Best Regards, Neil

It seems that Mark is correct. A Google search with Wheatstone and termite brings up the Horniman page http://www.horniman.info/DOCUMNTS/INTRO.HTM which shows one of their metal cases. This looks nothing like the one shown above!!! Best Wishes, Neil

Is that on an instrument that is otherwise a C/G? Those notes don't make alot of sense on A C/G, partcularly the A/G since both of those notes are already available in a couple of different locations (ok, yes you could get an extra direction on them.. but I also just don see where G# and D# would come in handy on a CG. -- Bill Dear Bill, Yes, it is a normal C/G layout apart from the 4 extra keys. I am glad that you are also confused!!! I can understand the accidentals but have never been able to understand the repeated notes. I presume that these reeds haven't gone out of tune??? Yours, Neil

I have a Lachenal with a different layout as assessed with an electronic tuner: LH: Bb/G# A/G RH: G#/D# A/G

Hi, I am looking for an Anglo tutor in the Cheshire (I live in Goostrey) area or, alternatively in Manchester where I work . I have been 'playing' a 20 button C/G Lachenal for 18 months so can manage the very basics . I have probably picked up all the bad habits and need someone to teach me 'real playing' . Any suggestions??? Many Thanks, Neil

I have just read the excellent posting by Randy Merris in 2000 (http://www.concertina.net/rm_cases.html) in which he seems to cover all the variations on the concertina case theme . Below is a photo of a variation that wasn't covered........a hexagonal, tin case! I wonder whether anyone has come across something like this before? If so, was it associated with any particular manufacturer? It is possible that it was an old biscuit tin adopted by a concertina owner!! Regards, Neil Gibbs

Many thanks Mark, is this a unanimous verdict???? Yours, Neil I have a Jones just like that although I've just noticed that it seems to have Lachenal type action. I thought Jones instruments always had rivetted action. Dear Mark, Can I pin you down on this? Is the fretwork on your concertina exactly the same as the concertina that I pictured (and have now bought) above? You mentioned that Jones' action was always rivetted.......is the action on your instrument rivetted? If you answer postive to both these questions i wonder what i have bought? Help!!!!!!!! Thanks, Neil

Many thanks Mark, is this a unanimous verdict???? Yours, Neil

Can I please tap into the joint wisdom of forum members and ask what they make of this concertina? Many Thanks, Neil

There is an interesting 26 button anglo, in awful condition, on ebay at the moment ebay. Does anyone have any idea who might have made this concertina (and when). It has obviously been heavily abused over the years...........the only advantage of having half the fretwork knocked out of place it that the metal action can be seen. Thanks for your help, Neil

There is a very strange Lachenal "Peerless" on ebay at the moment. The seller states that one end is wooden and the other bakerlite or plastic. Any ideas what might have befallen this beast? Neil

Thanks for confirmation that this was a Lachenal. Pity withdrawn from ebay. Neil