When you think about it, many instruments have developed over many hundreds of years; violin, organ, flute, and so on... And concertinas are unusual that they have been designed to exist, in one form or another more with a deliberate scheme in mind. Wheatstone ( although he maybe knew of the Chinese's Sheng, reckoned to be a free reed thing).. seemed to set out to make a new reed instrument, more intentionally. And around similar time, the Anglo range was also being developed... "Free reed mania" really took off from thereon.
I often wonder, though, if it has ever reached any completeness ( as far as build and structure goes)?
I often, for example wouldn't mind if the instruments were made easier to access for repair or renovation, and yet still long screws are fixed into the wood, making it more awkward to service.. I often think that if the tops were hinged ( with finely made hinges).. they could then more readily opened, if needed, and could still be made airtight once closed up again.
That's my own idea of a little innovation.. it is only a thought.. but what do you all ( on net.) Think?
What would you like to see in improvements to concertina design? Outside the tradition ( "because that's the way it always done").. approach?