Susanne Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 Hi all Some of you know me, some don't. I started on an English, now it's somewhere to be repaired, then found a nice and cheap anglo in Cork about a year ago. I started playing some but got very discouraged (and especially fed up with Irish music) and have played all kinds of instruments after that, just not the concertina. Some week ago I suddenly felt "hmm I feel like playing some Irish music" and picked up the concertina. I started slowly to play Donnybrook Fair that is somewhat easy, and can play it slooooowly now. Today also managed to get through Rights of man without too much hassle. It seems like I'm getting somewhere with it, and finding notes on other rows isn't impossible anymore. I'm thinking, if I continue to make progress and feel like I do now for playing it, I'll want to upgrade concertina within a year or so. Mine is ok for a beginner but it is a cheapo and is quite hard to play. I've been reading all about getting concertinas in the past, but now feel a bit confused... We're talking about a 30 button C/G box. Should I order something that has good reputation and trust it will be good without test playing it? Should I look for concertinas all over the place the next time I go to Ireland (I used to live there, but not anymore) and just buy something that is good? Should I just wait until I come across one that is good (which will probably never happen)? What about the concertina connection - should I buy something for sale even without going there to test play it? (he gives discount if I trade in my old Rochelle) What would you do? I don't expect to find one around here (in Sweden), but if I should test play it, I don't want to travel just anywhere, I prefer to go some place where I do go occasionally, like Ireland, or where it's easy to go from Sweden (like the UK). I was in touch with Bob Tedrow some year ago and really found him a nice and pleasant person and seller, but I've never played a Tedrow so I wouldn't know what to expect from them and I'm not too happy about spending lots of money on an instrument I don't know what it sounds like or how it is to play... In the meantime I'll enjoy that I'm learning something on the 'tina....... it took some time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 Hi all.................. I don't expect to find one around here (in Sweden), but if I should test play it, I don't want to travel just anywhere, I prefer to go some place where I do go occasionally, like Ireland, or where it's easy to go from Sweden (like the UK). I was in touch with Bob Tedrow some year ago and really found him a nice and pleasant person and seller, but I've never played a Tedrow so I wouldn't know what to expect from them and I'm not too happy about spending lots of money on an instrument I don't know what it sounds like or how it is to play... ....................... While not close to hands on, there is a thread that might help with the different sounds. It's better than nothing, and a little better than translating words like mellow, harsher and other subjective descriptive terms. http://www.concertina.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7283 Thanks Leo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Ghent Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 Ireland would have to be the most expensive place in the world to buy a used concertina... Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m3838 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Ireland would have to be the most expensive place in the world to buy a used concertina... Chris 1. If Jim Lucas still doing his Scandinavian Squeeze-ins, go there. 2. Don't know about postage between US and Sweden, but The Button Box has perusal program. They also have approval program. You buy it, they send it to you, you have a few days to check it over and either go with the purchase, or send it back. It's your money and their instrument, not the other way around. 3. I have Jackie and Tenor Lachenal. Generally I dislike nasal stringent "in your face" sound of "real" concertina. Especially acclaimed Jeffries make me cringe. So I'd say "don't trust anyone and test it before you buy". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snorre Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 The service level at the Button Box is very high. How much money are you looking to spend? My playing (hours per day) really took off when I got my Morse, and I suspect it will again once I get my Suttner (in 2013.....). Lycka till! S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susanne Posted October 13, 2009 Author Share Posted October 13, 2009 How much I'm willing to spend is depending on how my situation is when it's time to upgrade. I'm going to save up money. If nothing really bad happens, I don't dread the price too much. I'd prefer to spend less than 2500 euros though, and preferably also less than 2000 euros, but I can change my mind if it's a fantastic instrument. I know that they are very expensive new so I don't expect any miracles (as the one with my English concertina). I've been to the SSI, they generally don't sell concertinas there and never heard anyone talking about selling one, but yeah, sure it's a good place to try other people's concertinas to get the hang of different sounds. Will certainly try to do that next time, it's easier when you can at least play a little...last time I didn't even dare to touch other concertinas, dreading I wouldn't want to touch mine afterwards! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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