A Bouncing Baby Concertina!

[PaddyLosty]

After going through a concertina-shaped object and a rather playable and nice Rochelle, I finally bit the bullet and ordered an Edgley concertina after meeting him at the Chris Langan Weekend in Toronto and being thoroughly impressed with his instruments. I didn't think I could afford it at the time, but I knew if I kept putting it off due to that I'd never end up getting one, so I put in my order and saved all I could over the 6 month wait. It arrived just recently, right as I'd squirreled away the last few hundred bucks. To say I'm quite pleased with it is an understatement. The tone is extremely sweet, and the button action is incredibly quick. I've played many of the hybrids, as well as many high-end concertinas and the action on this one is among the best I've tried. I've learned as many tunes on it in the few weeks that I've had it as I did on the Rochelle in two years. Good job Frank!

[Jody Kruskal]

After going through a concertina-shaped object and a rather playable and nice Rochelle, I finally bit the bullet and ordered an Edgley concertina after meeting him at the Chris Langan Weekend in Toronto and being thoroughly impressed with his instruments. I didn't think I could afford it at the time, but I knew if I kept putting it off due to that I'd never end up getting one, so I put in my order and saved all I could over the 6 month wait. It arrived just recently, right as I'd squirreled away the last few hundred bucks. To say I'm quite pleased with it is an understatement. The tone is extremely sweet, and the button action is incredibly quick. I've played many of the hybrids, as well as many high-end concertinas and the action on this one is among the best I've tried. I've learned as many tunes on it in the few weeks that I've had it as I did on the Rochelle in two years. Good job Frank!

Congratulations Pgidley!

 

Yes, Frank's instruments are great and there is nothing like an upgrade to inspire practice and playing.

[Bill N]

I've learned as many tunes on it in the few weeks that I've had it as I did on the Rochelle in two years. Good job Frank!

 

It (and you) sounded great on Friday, but it sat under your chair most of the night! Put aside

the fiddle for a while and focus man, focus

[Jwhite]

I'll join you as a proud parent of a brand new Edgley concertina. Mine arrived by post just a few days ago.

 

What a fine piece of craftsmanship! The tone is sweet and clear, the cocobolo wood gleams, and it is dangerously quick and nimble. It is truly a joy to play.

 

Hats off to Frank! There are no excuses for playing poorly with an instrument like this one.

 

Jenny

[Boreas]

Oh, dear - after lurking here for several years I've finally gotten the urge to commit myself to commenting...

 

Actually, my new Edgely concertina is the third (and last!) concertina I've owned. The first, bought out of the Sears, Roebuck catalog in the U.S., was a 20-button charmer decked out in red celluloid with a paper bellows, which was most comfortable playing stuff like "O Solo Mio". (I think it cost me around $35.00.) I put up with its wonky buttons and stiff action for quite a while until about 10 years ago when I decided to "upgrade" to a 30-button model purchased from a real trad instrument store, settling on Hobgoblin's house brand Gremlin (apparently made by Stagi), described as an "economy 30 key C/G anglo, priced at $395 and available through its U.S. affiliate, Stoney End.

 

In due course the instrument arrived, and I played it for years, limited, however, to slow airs, since the bellows - paper again - was too stiff to venture into the world of rigs and jeels.

 

Early last May I finally steeled myself and visited Frank in his Windsor, ON shop (we live in southeastern Ontario, not too far from Windsor) and, after spending several hours with him, ordered a D/G concertina, the upper registers of a C/G being way to shrill for my aged ears. I've had it for just under a month now and believe me, it's a joy to play - its tone and timbre are "just right" for me, its action is breathtakingly smooth, and its finish, identical to yours, is first rate. I'll play this one for the rest of my life, and probably take it with me to the grave.

 

Bravo, Frank! You - and your concertinas - are first rate.

[bill_mchale]

Congrats on the Edgley. I have had one for probably about 5-6 years now. And I have really enjoyed it. I have a Suttner on order that is going to require that I sell some of my toys to finance (Anyone want a Castagnari Ilary or a Saltarelle Tara?) but the Edgley is not going anywhere. I will probably remain my main backup instrument.

 

--

Bill

[Frank Edgley]

Thanks for the kind words!