Remster

Thank you.

Aha! Cillian King - Concertina Videos & Music - Concertina.net Discussion Forums He's on an Anglo (I play an English), but there's no doubt about his playing position. Interestingly, he seems to have the same kind of physique as me: long and narrow. I wonder if that's relevant.

That's all I need! But you've heard of players adopting that position?

I suppose I'm wondering whether I'll be storing up problems for the future if I persevere with this.

Is this a recognised way to play? After ten years of struggling with aching wrists and aching thumbs, I've discovered this by accident, and it's a revelation.

All terrific suggestions, thank you. Both Stowmarket and Norwich are well within range. The instrument is a Wheatstone from the late 1890s, so no problems there (it may even have been Steve Dickinson who restored it). I've just been reminded that I bought a copy of the Dave Elliot book when I bought the instrument; but no good can come of my tinkering. Paul, I'd like to take you up on your offer of advice, since it could very well be that there's nothing worth doing. I'm east of Cambridge, but I have transport. Is it possible to send private messages on this site?

Folks Does anyone know of a person in the Cambridgeshire area who's competent at carrying out repairs and maintenance to English concertinas? I have leaky bellows (I think) plus a couple of other things I'd like someone to look at. I don't fancy trying it myself. Best wishes Remster

Many thanks for your replies. Since posting this, I've found a discussion about this very issue on another forum, and it seems as if it's not uncommon. I just need to find the right grip etc., I suppose.

Folks I've been learning the English concertina for about eighteen months now, and although I feel I've made great progress, I'm having a problem with pain in my right wrist or little finger, depending on how I position myself and the instrument. Is this a common problem, and is it something I should be able to resolve without seeing an expert (of which I know none). Remster (East Anglia)

I've got this instrument for £1K! As it turned out, I didn't have to haggle: the owner lowered his asking price on the grounds that he was selling it to a friend and it would get played. The tone isn't as sweet as that of the one I borrowed and not all the notes are perfect, but the responsiveness is spot on and the bellow action is amazing.

Thanks, everyone. This may well be academic, as the owner of the Wheatstone that I discussed in this thread has e-mailed to say he'll sell for £1K! I'll let you all know the result when it's in.

That's precisely my concern. I've enjoyed learning on a much better instrument (which I've borrowed) and just sitting on my sofa at home playing for my own pleasure. That pleasure will diminish significantly with dodgy notes. Agreed. What attracts me to this instrument is the price, but that's nullified if there are additional costs involved.

For anyone who's willing to help, I've just started a thread about the Lachenal called 'Should I buy this instrument?'.

Folks The attached photograph is of a c.1900 Lachenal English concertina that was reconditioned earlier this year. The asking price was £750, but the owner is willing to let it go for £625. Now, I don't expect anyone to be able to value it for me based on a photo plus this limited information, but I have a specific question. Every note is in tune, but a couple of them are of dubious quality: a sort of buzzing rattle here, a slight loss of pitch towards the end of a note there. My question is this: Is this the sort of thing I should expect from an instrument of that price? Thanks Remster

Thanks, Dirge, that's great advice. I probably wouldn't even have been having this conversation had I not been lent an antique Wheatstone to learn on! I've been spoiled.

I can cope with sticks and stones. What I can't cope with is the fear of spilling a pint over a £1.5K musical instrument! I'm sure I want to continue with the concertina, but I've no idea in what context. I've been playing for only a couple of months. The Wheatstone wouldn't really fit in with my finances: it would be by a long distance my most expensive possession after my home. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that I was close to buying a 30-button Scarlatti for £180. How do you like them apples?

Dear All Many thanks for taking an interest in my thread. I'm sorry for taking so long to revisit it: I thought I had my account set up to send notifications of replies to my e-mail address, so I assumed no-one had replied. The concertina in question is a 1910s Wheatstone English concertina. As Dirge points out, my problem isn't with the valuer's expertise. It's that the valuer told my friend what amount he should be asking for if he were to put the instrument on the market, and not how much my friend could expect to sell it for eventually (my friend didn't think to make the distinction). As it happens, I'm probably going to go for an 1890s Lachenal that another friend is trying to sell on behalf of someone else at £750. As a relative beginner, I'm thinking a £1.5K instrument might be a bit excessive. Thanks Remster

Folks A friend of mine has a reconditioned Wheatstone that he'd like to sell and I'm interested in buying. A local expert has told him he should be 'asking for £1500'. In this instance, what should I be offering and what should he be accepting, according to concertina etiquette? He inherited it and doesn't play, and I've been learning on a borrowed instrument, so we're both clueless. Neither of us is interested in taking advantage of the other. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks Remster