Mike Jones

Hi JS88, You may be interested in a Lachenal 20 button Anglo in C/G with brass reeds that I have for sale. It is part of my collection but I will be downsizing this fairly soon. I bought the concertina in question last year for some of its parts but it was better than expected so I rebuilt it with replacement bellows, pads, valves and other parts. It's not one I will be using though as it was intended for beginners workshops and i already have three other 20 button C/G and five 30 button instruments. You can have it for £225 and if it does not suit I'm happy to accept returns. I live outside Norwich, not that far from Peterbrough. If you are not worried about which keys the instrument is in, I have two East German concertinas , one on D/A and the other in Bb/F, that I need to dispose of on behalf of SqueezEast Concertina Band. They are not in beginner friendly Key's for beginner workshops, but if you are only intending to learn or practice at home they will be fine as try-outs, so if you are using a written tutor for a C/G, as the Anglo is a transposing instrument , the tunes you hear will be in the keys of the relevant instrument. If later you get a C/G the same fingering will yield tunes in C or G. These will be £60 each. They are in quite good condition and although not as well built as a traditional English made instrument they play well for what they are. If you wish to try a chromatid 48 button English concertina with brass reeds, after trying the Anglo, I also have one of these for disposal, also sale or return and price can be negotiated. Mike

Geoffrey, For Information, Number 18225 (also from 1968, another 40k in C/G) is currently mine and lives in Norwich. I purchased it from Dave Robertson (who restored it) in 2019. He told me he had purchased it from a vendor in Glasgow. Merry Christmas Mike

From the top down and left to right, all with 20 buttons unless stated and mostly mahogany ended. 4 inch diameter East German D/A 5f 5 inch East German C/G 5f Rigoletto F/C 5f Lachenal G/D 6f SR Lachenal Bb/F 5f SR Rosewood Lachenal C/G 5f SR Rosewood 22k, D/A 5f SR Rosewood A/E 5f SR Mahogany C/G BR 6f 24k C/G BR 6f 24k C/G SR 5f Crabb 20k C/G SR 5f All have been or are undergoing restoration, repair or reconditioning. None were bought in working order except the Rigoletto that was fettled by AC Norman a decade ago. The Crabb is my main box for playing for Morris (in G). Best wishes for the season Mike

Hi David, The squared off hand rest and the cylindrical wire levers in the action box make me think it is a Jones and the two early Jones concertinas I have had were the same, plus both sets of strap bolts were between 3.6 and 3.87mm diameter although they were screwed directly into the woof of the frame. In addition, mine had the reference number stamped into the base of the reed pan, as well as one side of the bellows frame I could be wrong, others are more knowledgeable than me. Mike

On Wednesday a gusset split on my 20k C/G Crabb Anglo. I have since replaced the gusset but I don't have any black paper bellows papers that are the same size as those fitted to the instrument to replace the four originals that were destroyed while removing them to get to the gusset in question . The black Lachenal papers I do have are 67mm by 49mm by 20mm. The papers that are fitted are Black shiny paper, 68mm at the widest, 48mm at the narrowest bottom edge and 25mm wide. Is anyone able to help sourcing such papers or know where a suitable paper may be obtained? Many thanks Mike

I have had a short session measuring some of my various Anglo concertinas and the results are in the chart below. I noted that all the Lachenal concertinas with 30 buttons or more have the greatest distance between the edge of the hand rest and the middle of the middle button on the accidental row. I find these the most comfortable. There is also very little variation in the two row Lachenals of whatever age At one time a bought a nice 30K C/G Wheatstone but found it really difficult to play as the buttons were too close together and too close to the hand rest when compared with my usual Lachenal (136631), so I px'd it for the Crabb 40k which also caused issues until I raised the hand rest and now it is fine. The Crabb 20k has also had the hand rest raised by the depth of a wooden disposable tongue depressor, and is now my go to concertina for tunes in G for Morris unless they have a C sharp or other accidental when I use the Marcus. Of the Chinese and other fairly cheap concertinas, e.g. Scarlatti, I have tried (including a Hohner 30k c/g which I also owned at one time) none of them were comfortable to play and most sounded awful. The Wheatstone Baritone and Crabb 40k are used mainly for playing in a concertina band in parts. Hand Rest Distance Distance from inside edge of handrail to middle of middle button on Accidental or outer row of Anglo concertina Concertina Make Serial Number Number of buttons Tuning Date Distance mm Number of Rows 1 Wheatstone Linota Bari 28365 30 C/G 1920 73 Three Row 2 Marcus Metal Ends 625 31 G/D 2012 73 Three Row 3 Crabb Metal ends 18225 40 C/G 1968 73.5 Three Row 4 Jones Rosewood 28064 30 A/E 1907 76 Three Row 5 Lachenal Rosewood 1367631 30 C/G 1895 77 Three Row 6 Lachenal Mahogany 147351 26 C/G 1896 78 Three Row 7 Lachenal Metal ends 178079 32 C/G 1907? 78 Three Row 8 Crabb Mahogany veneer 9231 20 C/G 1936 69 Two row 9 Lachenal Rosewood 152421 20 C/G 1898 73.5 Two row 10 Lachenal Mahogany 149366 20 Bb?F 1896 74 Two row 11 Lachenal Rosewood 76332 20 A/E 1883 74 Two row 12 Lachenal Mahogany 167878 24 C/G 1899 74 Two row 13 Lachenal Mahogany 121869 20 G/D 1891 75 Two row 14 Lachenal Rosewood 40338 22 D/A 1875 75 Two row 15 Lachenal Mahogany 18273 24 C/G 1872 75 Two row

I am cursed with Type 2 Diabetes. I have almost no sensation in my feet (although that does not stop me Morris dancing) and the sensation is declining in my fingers (but it does not prevent me from playing my various concertinas). The Diabetes is controlled by Metformin that boosts the performance of what Insulin i do make. Recently it was discovered that Metformin is antagonistic to Vitamin B12. my most recent diabetic screening showed I was seriously B12 deficient. I had a course of B12 injections and changed my diet to improve my B12 intake earlier this year and the symptoms in my fingers have eased and my feet don't ache/hurt so much at night. I'm due for screening again soon. Apparently many people are Vitamin B12 deficient and don't know it. B12 deficiency has a number of negative effects on mood too. A number of years ago I came of my bicycle and broke my left scaphoid bone. That was probably not as bad as Carpal Tunnel (CTS) although it took a long time to heal and soon after I had a bout of CTS, although I was doing a lot of left handed mouse work at the time, and had to rest/take it easy for a couple of months. Rest is always a good way to make musculoskeletal disorders better.

I thought I had nineteen but I counted them this morning and I have 23. of these, nine are destined for the grandchildren, to give them a head start if they want to start playing and to enable them to chose which system they prefer. They will each get an English, a 30k Anglo and a Crane Duet. Of the current total 23, four are English and three are Crane Duets the rest are Anglos. This grand total of 23 includes two Anglos which are out on loan at the moment. I have owned at least 38 concertinas in all, so far, and tried countless more. Four of these 38 were purchased for spare parts. Of those I have tried, several standout as excellent, including a 30k Crabb (see below) several Jeffries in various tunings, a lovely Dipper and a very fast Wolverton that was one of the first batch Jake M-M made. I had an ambition to collect at least one Anglo concertina of every tuning but gave that up some years ago, even so I have several Anglo concertinas in different tunings. From memory the best Anglo I ever tried (to my mind) was a 30k John Crabb that a friend bought but was not sure about, so I borrowed it for a session. A beautiful box. Currently I play a 20k C/G Crabb mainly for Morris as it is so light, fast and loud enough, with a Marcus G/D 31k for Morris tunes in D. I play any of the following in the SqueezEast Concertina Band and our local French dance group , a 30k Wheatstone Baritone Anglo, a 40k C/G Crabb or a 30k C/G Rosewood Lachenal. For fun at home I play a 20k G/D Lachenal made of spare parts I had lying around or a 20k Bb/F Lachenal as they are both relatively quiet but of delightful tone. My first concertina was a 30k C/G Hohner Anglo closely followed by a 30k G/D Gremlin Anglo. The Hohner I sold as soon as could buy a decent 30k C/G Lachenal (which I still have) and the Gremlin I gave to another player for parts to keep his Gremlin playing (bits kept breaking inside and it was out of tune so no great loss) The majority of my C/G Anglos are also used for concertina beginner workshops, although I have done less of these recently, and most Anglos I have sold have gone to other players who also do workshops. I really have too many concertinas but they each have a different attributes, type of reeds, tuning, etc. and a some need a bit more work, but all , bar two 20k East German semi minatures, are in playable condition. My wife does not understand the fascination and thinks I'm obsessed.

I recently purchased some bellows from Peter O'Connor (Sandylaneman). They arrived within a short time and with all the proper paperwork but no charge for taxes have been levied (yet!). I have purchased several sets from him over the last few years and they have all been worth the money. Mike Jones

I concur with Alex West, especially if you can go and see them. Linda Cornish is very helpful. I believe Dave Robertson gets much of his leather from Russells.

John Sylte: I'll send some photos to you in a personal message. Mike Acott: I think Paul McA was confused as I recieved an email from him. Paul and I have corresponded before just as COVID took over, about him purchasing a concertina from me but nothing eventually came of it. MIke Jones

George Jones 30 button Anglo, Number 28064 Purchased in 2018 as a project and eventually to be a backup for my main squeeze. As no tuning was given I assumed it was a C/G. This was wrong, its A/E where A:432 Stamped inside on both reed pans “George Jones, Maker, Commercial Rd E”. Very late period model. Reeds seem untouched and very robust. No box on purchase. Arrived in an old shoe box. Played, did not appear to leak, several reeds were not sounding properly and one not sounding on RHS. Needed tuning, replacement valves, pads, dampers, bellows patches, etc, and cleaning. LHS end damaged and needed new woods inserting. Given the tuning, I have contemplated, since purchase, of retuning it to G/D or Aflat/Eflat but I already have two other anglos in G/D and another A/E and as it sounds so good I am reluctant to do any more work. I think it best it goes to a player who wants/needs an A/E as really I have very little use for such an instrument in this tuning. I have also been told I have too many concertinas and must get rid of a few. As if 24 was too many! Specification: Number: 28064 (highest number Jones I have been able to identify) Ends: Rosewood Tuning: A/E old pitch A=432 Buttons: bone, domed tops Bellows: 6 fold black leather, Cross and dot end papers (stained and dirty) Date: early 20th Century, 1905? (George Jones retired in 1899 and left the firm to his sons, the company closed in 1905. Work Done: Two new bushes replaced in RHS button x-holes and one damper on LHS, Debris stuck in valves and reeds removed from LHS so reeds now sound and valve removed on high RHS reed and it now sounds. Hand straps replaced. Leather treated and polished, rechecked the tuning, definitely A432. Lovely tone and low LHS notes vibrate on RHS. Still to do: Pads and valves replaced and a small bellows internal repair patch, plus external bellows patches on some corners and general cleaning. Replacement case/box purchased with working lock and key David Elliott appraised this instrument for me in 2019 just before COVID hit, he thinks it is OK. Good action and sound. The brass shoes are marked for a C/G but with broad reeds designed and fitted for old pitch A/E, thus lots of solder on the lower reeds. Other then the above I have done minimal work to this concertina but still enjoy playing it once in a while as a contrast to tunes in C/G/D. Mellow and low, easy action, can play quietly, Playing notes loudly below C3 causes other notes on both sides to vibrate in sympathy. Lovely! I'm asking £750 for it, which I regard as well below its true value but will also allow the new owner to have some work done if they wish and still keep it relatively inexpensive to buy and own. Uk buyers only please, I don't want to be bothered with UK customs, form filling or any other bureaucracy. I have some photographs but as they exceed 3.5Mb each, are too large to download to C.net even compressed. So, if you are interested, send me a PM with your email address and I'll undertake to send the photos to you.

Join the West Country Concertina Players (WCCP) for £10pa, it is worth every penny. They are very helpful and will have members who can answer all and more of your questions and they also provide teaching and learning opportunities for all types of Concertina. I expect they will have some members close to you as well. They have a website and facebook pages so won't be far away.

Hi Alex, Chris Flint produced a concertina timeline that includes some information about Jones concertinas. I have just found it again at https://www.scatesconcertinas.com/pdf/Concertina Timeline open office.pdf. I made up a short spreadsheet for Jones concertinas using what information about individual instruments I've been able to find on the Internet as well., it may be helpful. I possess number 28064 a 30k Anglo with steel reeds, tuned A/E where A= 432 and I believe its original tuning. As I've been unable to find another Jones with a higher number as yet, it has been tentatively identified as constructed in 1905. I also have number 1632, a 20k brass reeded instrument very similar to C333 and C332 which are in the Concertina Museum. Like everyone else, I have not been able to find anyone collecting Jones concertina numbers and info. Perhaps it is time for someone to volunteer to take on the work. Mike Jones timeline.xls

As a point of interest I waited seven years before I could buy a Wheatstone C/G Baritone and Chris Algar at Barleycorn Concertinas finally found one for me. It was not cheap, you could buy a second hand car for a lot less. It is not for sale. Good hunting.