Mike Jones

Does anyone have a suggestion for the date of manufacture of the Liliputian? I have done a search of the net and nothing there have I been able to find. Judging by the internals and materials used i would think 50' or 60's

Hi Dave, "I think that you HAD several friends in the Troshers, calling them less able". That is how it was told to me by the players not named, anyway they don't frequent this forum. We are also planning at some time in the future to have a joint concert/ session/music event with SqueezEast and the Troshers. I'll see both of them on Wednesday when we have a bit of friendly rivalry with sticks during some dancing, let them hit me on the knuckles and then when they will feel guilty and I can ask the question to square things. I don't suppose you know anyone who can make and re-rivet some very small brass reeds in to zinc plated reed bank? Mike PS I sent you an email about a Jackie of ours you have. Any news?

Hi Will, That I had forgotten about and I have several friends in the "Troshers " (less able accordion band but aspiring to greatness) and know a few other accordion players too. I shall ask. Mike

Thanks Will, but David only deals with "traditional" concertinas and he keeps my others, Lachenals and Wheatstones, in good voice and I know he does not have the tools or equipment to do the job I'm wanting.

Recently I "won", as they call it, a small 20 button "Made in Saxony" (as stamped on the ends), 4.25 inch (108mm) across the flats Anglo concertina with zinc plated reeds sets and riveted brass reeds. I have no idea of the tuning as it was and still is unplayable. However one reed is broken and I should like to replace it if possible. The existing reeds are not transferable within or between the two sets. Does anyone know of an artisan in the UK who is competent to do such work. If someone will send me contact information I can then deal with them directly. The instrument is an ideal size for my 4 year old grandson who likes in particular my 1860's? (number 18273) 24 button Lachenal (as well as all my other 'tinas) but finds it too large. He already has a toy melodeon and piano accordion on which he can noodle and find chords etc. but he still prefers my concertina. At the moment "The Liliputian" as it is called, has been spray painted gold, needs new gussets in a couple of places as well as some work on the wooden lever action and some replacement wood/plastic buttons (5mm diam), in addition to the above, for a start, but I shall hang fire on these repairs for a while in case I get an affirmative response to my query above. Alternatively, if there is another concertina of the same ilk out there awaiting new ownership or willing to be donated for spare parts I would also be interested in that. Thanks in anticipation Mike

Hi Helen, See what John Adey's suggestion brings, in my experience all concertina groups are very friendly and welcoming (even if we can be slightly obsessive). It is possible to hire instruments from SqueezEast Concertinas (and West Country Concertina Players (WCCP)) as you save for something of your own, and as Paul says "If you want to find out about concertinas with an event presumably not too far from you, it is Squeezeast in Stamford a week on Saturday (http://squeezeast.org.uk/), and there will be dozens of tinas there". Unfortunately he got the day wrong, its Sunday 4th June, and all details are available on our website, just go there to register (nil cost) or just turn up. If we know you are coming we can bring some hire instruments with us either English or Anglos or both. You will be very welcome and we won't expect you to join in with the band. Mike (member of SqueezEast)

Take a look at the Barleycorn stock pages from Chris Algar at http://www.concertina.co.uk/stock-selection/?concertina=2958. The guy who owned it until Saturday was playing it at the WCCP Kilve event until he upgraded to a nice vintage Lachenal with this as the trade in. It works OK, sounds OK and may well be suitable for your purposes and is not too far south of you in Shropshire.

Hi Tarquin, have you thought about joining a local concertina club or band such as West Country Concertina Players, Kettle Bridge Concertinas , or SqueezEast (there are others dotted around the UK)? That way you you could hire or borrow a concertina for a short period and get to learn how to play it. If your chosen instrument does not suit, you can then try a different system. This way you get to try without expending lots of cash until you are sure plus get some expert tuition as well as making new friends with similar interests. have a look at the International Concertina Association for links to concertina clubs or do some on-line searching. All the best with your quest. Mike

Hi Daniel, I echo Robin and Andrew above, I too am a member of SqueezEast but also a past squire of Kemp's Men, so if you would like to dance or play for the Morris in Norwich as well as join our little concertina band after your move please do get in touch. Mike

I have taken my 'tinas to Germany and France several times to folk dance festivals. I get 30 days cover on my house contents insurance that lets me do this as long as I am not a professional musician, likewise for the SqueezEast Concertina Band and the value of individual items is less than £5000. IT is a premium contents cover though and costs a bit more than standard. It may pay to make some enquiries. Mike

Hi Lynne, I gather from Andrew, another member of SE when we had a practice today that you have been in touch with SqueezEast and we are looking forward to seeing you and giving what help we can. Rob is also a member of SE albeit currently in absentia so, like myself, may be biased towards our little group, and it may turn out that you know more then one of us anyway. Mike

Hi Lynne, Why not come along to SqueezEast Concertinas, look at our Web pages http://www.squeezeast.org.ukor Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SqueezEast-Concertinas-1564910423765753/ for more information. Several of our members live near KL and we practice in one of our homes to the West of Norwich usually about monthly, which is only 45 mins or so from KL. Several members play Anglos and are prepared to tutor as well, indeed one of our objectives is to promote and teach concertina playing of all types. Inability to read music is not a problem, You will be very welcome. Mike

Hi Robin, My Lachenal also squeaked, after much searching it turned out to be two locating pegs on the bottom of two keys, rubbing against the side of the holes they locate into in the action board. A little beeswax on the peg and a slight adjustment of the key location on its brass pivot lever solved the problem. On the matter of Bushing, Dave Robertson here in Norwich bushed mine and it is noticeably better, quieter and smoother in action so I can recommend bushing. At the moment I am practicing drilling, reaming and bushing so I can do my other Lachenals, but feel I am not skillful enough yet to take the plunge in case I ruin what I have, so I can't recommend a DIY approach. All the best Mike

I went over to see David this afternoon, David kindly unpacked it for me and I was able to have a good play. Your box is very nice, plays well but sounds too close to my own rosewood ended Lachenal of the same age (only 3000 difference in numbers) and I was looking for something louder and with a bit more "attack" to mix it with the Wheatstone ECs and the Jefferies and Wheatstone Anglos in our local concertina band. I hoped your metal ended Lachenal would be it. The extra buttons are potentially useful though. However, I have decided not to buy, sorry, but I am sure you will have no trouble selling it. Mike

Thanks Simon, it as not on his website when I looked early last week. Another of his excellent restorations and finishes I see. I'll give him a ring. Mike

Hi Simon, Is the 'tina with David at the moment? I am interested and would like to try it, assuming it is a C/G, and I can get to his place very easily.

SqueezEast 2015 For the 11th Year SqueezEast will again be held at The Arts Centre in Stamford, Lincolnshire, and this year on Sunday 7th June. This event is both suitable as an introduction to playing in a Concertina Band, and also for those who have enjoyed the informal atmosphere of previous events here. Playing is from prepared scores in parts, aimed at Intermediate Level players, mainly played on English system instruments but with some Anglo system players. Once again the Musical Director will be Paul Barrett. Registration is now open, by contacting David Nind by email david@lomil.co.uk or by telephone at 01526 323012. Further details are on the website www.lomil.co.uk with travel information and reports on previous events. We look forward to seeing you.

East Anglia Concertina Players (EACP) has been reborn as SqueezEast Concertinas. We play mostly folk tunes and concertina band parts and are based in Mid-Norfolk If anyone would like to join our small convivial group of mixed ability players (of various systems) we welcome you, especially beginners, or, to find out more, please Contact: SqueezEastconcertinas@gmail.com, or send a personal message. Mike

Hi Andrew, Good to see you joined up. See you Sunday. Mike

Marcus built me a G/D special (625) in 2011, I've had to tune one reed since. I asked for a light low action, which is what I got, specified the drones (I wanted a non-standard set-up) and have thoroughly enjoyed playing it ever since. I visited their workshop when on holiday and tried out several models before making a decision, but I have also tried out other hybrids as well, and to my ear the Marcus was less shrill and suited my style of playing best. I found them very helpful, prompt and good to deal with. The guarantee I got with my instrument was for as long as I keep it, worth thinking about. I have four Lachenal Anglos (3 x C/G and Bb/F) and a Wheatstone EC as well. The Marcus I generally play outdoors for Morris or in a small concertina orchestra and practice indoors on a brass reeded Lachenal 24 button so as to not annoy the wife. My only complaint was the corners of the steel ends pressed rather too hard into my palms, so I glued some thin HD foam on the corners and this has solved the issue for me. Good quality, good sound, easy to play, and thus recommended.

Hi Ollie, Good to hear from you, and with yet another type of instrument to play too. Maybe see you at the DD Ale in March. MIke

Hi Tom, You could have refurbed the 24 button you have just sold me and used the C* s on that. I'm planning to juggle the reeds, etc. once I have it working to try and come up with a C*/C or B/C just to see how it goes. The intention is to use the additional buttons to keep some of the reversals and maybe add a drone. I already have another 24 button (Brass reeds) that I got working again and think it probably feasible. Mike I fear the day after I sell the Rochelle I will want to play a tune with c sharps in it.

David, I was fortunate enough to pick up a dead 24 button two row a couple of years ago on Ebay. OK, I spent abut £150 buying it and a further £100 or so on parts but It is great fun with its brass reeds and the extra buttons are C*/Eb, G*/Bb over two octaves, which still enables me to play tunes in C and G, as before, and some tunes D, A, Bb and F, although the range is less than with a 30 button and sometimes the button you want is on the wrong side and in the wrong direction. Even so it is cheap fun and I play it at home more than any of my other Anglo's despite its floppy bellows, leaks and five folds. So, Keep looking, they do turn up. Mike

Doh, hit the wrong button! Solution: remove the offending buttons/keys from the brass operating rod slightly move the brass rod aside and with a sharp drill of the same diameter of the hole in the fingers, insert said drill and rotate smartly, blow out the hole to remove swarf, dead spider legs and dust, etc. rotate the pin end of the button against some beeswax or and old candle, and move up the peg/pin and down in cleaned hole. reattach key to brass rod , reassemble 'tina and try. if still sticky it may be the rod is slightly bent and judicious gentle use of a pair of pliers against the rod may be needed. My experience with old (edwardian and earlier) 'tinas is there should be enough wear/play in the pivot rivets, lachenal hooks, simple staples to minimise this latter adjustment. This what worked for me, it is not necessarily the recommended or best way. Anyway, best of luck. Mike

This happened to me with an old Lachenal Anglo clone I bought to practice restoration. My solution was to