LR71

I haven't owned this for very long but need to have some cash in hand and am selling various instruments. Serial # 34305, the original sale is here with some details. I took more photos and made another video, I play all the notes on the LH G row, then C, then third; and then repeat on the RH; then noodle around a bit, then play Willie Coleman's. I had the reeds for the RH third row 1st button flipped, so now they play D#/C# push/pull, so it should be more familiar for Jeffries system players. Asking $3000 + shipping. Pictures Video

I kept envisioning something like a popsicle stick with half moons cut it into it, that you could hold the buttons in place with, and then remove when you're done. Anything has to be better than endlessly fidgeting with these things. By pushing around I'd pushed on the bushing around those buttons, and then when everything was in place the buttons were pushing the bushing out of the hole, so I had to work and get the bushing back down where it belonged. Hope that makes sense.

Per advice here I attempted to lighten the springs on my Wheatstone. For my first attempt at the LH I didn't really make much of a difference, and I somehow managed to get things back together. This morning I worked on the RH, and bent the springs a good deal more. Then I attempted to put it all back together. And attempted again. And attempted again. And attempted again. And attempted again. And attempted again. And attempted again. And attempted again. How in God's name does anybody does this in a timely fashion, if the buttons just keep falling over? After endlessly trying to keep things in line with sticks, long drill bits, holding it upside down, holding it sideways, starting at this end, starting at that end. Eventually I figured out that a higher work table is a big factor. And what eventually worked was just shoving a 6" drill bit around, attempting to make contact with...something...hoping I wasn't horking a pallet in the process. Of course, I'd get close to finishing, 28 buttons, and one simply didn't seem to be there. And I'd wonder, ha, maybe it fell over or came off the lever. How hilarious! 😠 Then I'd get it all together, and what do you know! Two buttons were stuck by their bushing. Eventually I figured out how to fix that - lift things up very carefully, then shove troublesome button down until bushing is back where it belongs. I spent about 30 minutes actually messing with springs, and 2 hours trying to get everything back together. This was one of the most aggravating/frustrating/off-putting jobs I've ever done with a musical instrument, and I used to make my own uilleann pipes reeds.

I'm in the US, NW corner. PM with offers.

Thanks Chris. I found this super helpful post of yours detailing what to do.

Thanks for the advice, Wally!

My 1936 Linota has a modern replacement riveted action, but it's too heavy for my liking. What's a ballpark estimate on the cost of having it set lighter? It's definitely heavier than my Kensington or Jeffries Duet. Dana sets his buttons at 40 grams, as I recall. These being small metal buttons instead of wide delrin on the Kensington playing the Wheatstone isn't very enjoyable.

Thanks, Stephen. The LINOTA stamp on mine is hard to read, on others I imagine it's barely visible by now. I hadn't even bothered to check - I figured Linotas all had metal ends. I was interested to see a comment from you in 2004 that I wonder if mine is from this subpar era. I certainly like its sound, but it's kind of a chore to play, despite having a replacement action. On page 1 of that 19 year old thread you typed out a price list with the model numbers; these Horniman folks should really hang around here more!

Mine is 34305. I'm truly puzzled why the ledgers website doesn't have every scrap of info in the world by now...

I'm still confused, the only pricelists close to my 1936 are from 1910/1947 and just mention Class A or Class 4A, nothing about 55/R.

I figured 55 shillings would be off the mark. Sounds like documenting what all these codes are would make for a worthy collaborative project here.

I found my 30 button 1936 anglo - I was interested to see that it's a week older than my mother, RIP. On its entry it says 55|R. Rosewood, I assume, was 55 the sales price? Why doesn't the ledger page have an index for all these terms?

He trained in Castlefidaro. Box players tell me he's quite good. He's not set up with all of the kit for working on 'tinas, no, but I just want a couple of reeds swapped around. Anyway, it seems that's almost certainly unfeasible anyway: From this thread. So I'll probably just have my guy convert it to C#/C# with blob of solder.

I could,but then I'd lose the D#, I like having that note on tap. I was hoping someone familiar with Wheatstones could tell me if the reeds could easily be exchanged. I've an accordion repairman nearby who would work on it. He fixed a couple of wobbly notes on my Jeffries duet.

This gives me hope, I have a Wheatstone and want the C#/D# notes in the 2nd octave reversed. Should I be able to simply have the reeds swapped? It's a 30s instrument.