Stradivarius or Jones ?

[Jan-Olof]

Hello

I recently bought an old anonymous concertina. It is a 20 b C/G anglo with mahogany ends, probably made in England. The number 16665 is stamped on some interior parts. Does anyone know who made it and how old it is?

Thank you

Jan Dahlberg

Sweden

[Greg Jowaisas]

Jan,

Looks very Jones-like to me. Some of the lower end 20b Jones had rivet action but I have also seen some with the hook and arm action like yours.

 

According to Wes Williams' chart in concertina.net's Buyers Guide (in the heading of the Home Page) under Dating Your Concertina a 16,000s serial # would put your instrument in the 1885-1886 category.

 

Looks like yours started out with brass reeds and has had a few steel replacements along the way. Perhaps someone else knows the significance of the "R2" designation in the "Metal Reed" stamp?

 

Jones concertinas can have a warm, full sound. Hope you enjoy yours.

 

Greg

Edited October 26, 2009 by Greg Jowaisas

[Jan-Olof]

Thank you, Greg.

Fantastic! The thing is about 125 years old and still funktioning. The strength of the notes varies though, and some reeds seem to need more air than others. There are a few leaks in the slots where the reeds are positioned, and some of the reeds are a little loose. I am thinking of fixing them with bees wax, but hesitate as wax has not been used before in this concertina.

The “METAL REEDS” stamp is indeed puzzling. I don´t think it says R2. It looks more like R and an underlined D, wich doesn´t really make any sense, either.

I have had it for two weeks now and practice playing every day. Fun but difficult!

Cheers

Jan

[Theo]

I am thinking of fixing them with bees wax, but hesitate as wax has not been used before in this concertina.

 

Please don't use wax to fix your reeds

 

The appropriate way to get a good fit for loose concertina reeds is to us a paper or card shim along the edge of the reed shoe. Get yourself a copy of Dave Elliott's 'Concertina Maintenance Manual' for lots of detailed instructions.

[Greg Jowaisas]

Jan,

Theo is giving you good advice. English constructed concertinas are different then their Germain cousins and accordions.

There is a separate though sometimes overlapping repair methodology, techniques and materials. Dave Elliott's Repair Manual often appears for sale on eBay. The advice it contains is well thought out and clearly explained. Get it, give it a read and you will be better prepared to keep your concertina playing another 125 years.

 

Best of luck,

 

Greg

[Jan-Olof]

OK. I´ll wait. I ordered the book last week - it should be on it´s way.

Jan

[wes williams]

The “METAL REEDS” stamp is indeed puzzling. I don´t think it says R2. It looks more like R and an underlined D, wich doesn´t really make any sense, either.

That abbreviation is usually used in the UK to mean 'Registered' as in 'Registered Trademark' or 'Registered Design'. However its meaningless here, and probably just used as a sales pitch.

[nkgibbs]

Dear Jan,

Below are (poor) photos of a similar Jones anglo numbered 15266 with a receipt dated 1884.

Happy Christmas

Best regards,

Neil

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 20, 2010 by nkgibbs

[Stephen Chambers]

Stradivarius or Jones ?

 

Jan,

 

Much more likely a Jones, it doesn't look anything like a Stradivarius: