First time buyer - cheap 30b Anglo

[Eric S]

Good morning everyone,

 

I've been reading these forums for a while now, deciding on exactly what I want my first concertina to be. Finally coming to the conclusion of a 30b Anglo. However, I need a little advice.

 

Having read the FAQ, the buyer's guide, as well as various other articles, I've realized there is a strong inclination to not purchase a cheap instrument. However, I don't have a lot of cash to just throw down for a new concertina. I'm on a student's budget, so I am more than willing to earn my chops on a low-price starter.

 

My options at this point are looking like the Rochelle (which is a little high end for me).

 

Or these e-bay options:

Ktone Workshop

Houston Brass - Wood

Houston Brass - Black

 

I would have to buy blind and all have accordion reeds, which were 2 things I was hoping to stay away from. I've searched around the music shops/antique stores in my area and no one sells concertinas, so this looks like it's the way to go. Any advice/experience with these models, or general advice for a first time buyer would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Eric

[Leo]

Hi Eric

 

There is a reason ALL the various articles you've read ALL conclude that a Rochelle is the minimum price of admission without exception. Those that have tried the so called "cheap" have found it might not be worth the "apparent" savings. It's also called a false economy.

 

If it's a lemon, then you have a doorstop that can't be repaired. If a Rochelle needs work, it's easy to get advice on repair.

 

At the bottom of the Rochelle page is a link to their upgrade program which is honored by the dealers in the US. They allow FULL PURCHASE PRICE when traded in for a higher quality instrument. Those others, nothing.

 

If you sell a Rochelle outright, you can get most of your money back. Those others you can get some, but not a lot. By the way, I think this used one is still for sale:

http://www.concertina.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=11063

Used is an alternative to new, especially if someone has traded it in on a better instrument. I don't know if anybody has one in stock though. They do hold their value.

 

The Button Box has a program of rental which I understand is a reasonable alternative until you decide, but I don't know which instruments they have available:

http://www.buttonbox.com/other-services.html

 

Your profile mentions where you live, and if you live close to Windsor Ontario, then this manufacturer can give some good advice but I don't think he sells inexpensive instruments:

http://www.concertinas.ca/

 

The Button Box in MA, Concertina Connection in WA, and Tedrow in AL are all good people to work with and are all reputable manufacturers of good concertinas.

 

Do you play an instrument now? What style of music would you play?

 

There is cheap and there is easy, both good things. But when you combine them, cheap and easy become something not so desirable for the long term relationship.

 

Thanks

Leo

[Mikefule]

My first Anglo was a Rochelle. Since then I have upgraded twice, and I have also played every other oncertina I could get my hands on.

 

I had a go on a Hohner in a local shop. Hohner is a well established and reputable manufacturer of free reed instruments including harmonicas and melodeons. Price wise, it was "one up" from the Rochelle. However, the Hohner was almost unplayable. It was a musical toy, rather than a musical instrument.

 

The Rochelle is playable. In the hands of a good player it can produce good music - although my teacher at the time remarked that "it fights you".

 

Anything less than a Rochelle will probably put you off for life.

[Woody]

Hi Eric & welcome

 

There is a reason ALL the various articles you've read ALL conclude that a Rochelle is the minimum price of admission without exception. Those that have tried the so called "cheap" have found it might not be worth the "apparent" savings. It's also called a false economy.

 

If it's a lemon, then you have a doorstop that can't be repaired. If a Rochelle needs work, it's easy to get advice on repair.

I don't completely agree with Leo. As is well documented, lots of players (myself included) have started on instruments inferior to the Rochelle and not found it a traumatic experience. If you are buying new you will obviously be covered by consumer laws and guarantees as well, so if you get a lemon just take it back. If it's older many faults on cheap boxes are fairly simple to repair. That said, there is a rule that I believe probably every concertina player on this site would agree with - Buy the best concertina you can afford! From what you've said you are able to afford a Rochelle, albeit at a stretch, so IMHO that's what you should buy.

 

I presume from your links that you're based in the US. As Leo has mentioned the Rochelle is part of an upgrade program so it may be worth a bit of time contacting the businesses that offer the upgrade option in case they've got some used Rochelles in stock available for less than a new one.

 

Good luck

 

W

[JimLucas]

There is a reason ALL the various articles you've read ALL conclude that a Rochelle is the minimum price of admission without exception. Those that have tried the so called "cheap" have found it might not be worth the "apparent" savings.

I don't completely agree with Leo. As is well documented, lots of players (myself included) have started on instruments inferior to the Rochelle and not found it a traumatic experience.

Some have and some haven't. Aside from design deficiencies (e.g., if it's an anglo, is the air button placed where you can use it while you're playing?), there tends to be a problem with quality control on the "el cheapos". It's something of a crap shoot. Some individual examples may be less trauma-inspiring than others, but there's no way to know in advance if you buy from someone who sells only on eBay and who has neither bothered nor cared to learn about the internal functioning of such an instrument. Among other things, there have been cases of such instruments having completely wrong notes under some of the buttons. Vendors such as Concertina Connection, Homewood, and the Button Box don't just forward a box from China, they make sure each and every instrument they sell is in good condition and adjustment before they ship it to you... and they'll help you fix any problems which might subsequently develop.

 

If it's a lemon, then you have a doorstop that can't be repaired.

If you are buying new you will obviously be covered by consumer laws and guarantees as well, so if you get a lemon just take it back.

I don't know about the UK, but in the US, getting satisfaction out of consumer-protection laws can be a full-time job in itself. And while you're waiting for the final settlement, you could be months without either your money or a playable instrument. That's not a very good way to learn to play concertina. If you enjoy gambling, though....

 

I presume from your links that you're based in the US. As Leo has mentioned the Rochelle is part of an upgrade program so it may be worth a bit of time contacting the businesses that offer the upgrade option in case they've got some used Rochelles in stock available for less than a new one.

If you are in the US, I think you might seriously consider the Button Box's rental plan. Not as much money all at once could let you save up for a better instrument, and if I remember correctly, you can get credit for part of the rent you paid if you subsequently buy an instrument from them.

[Eric S]

Wow, thank you all for you quick and thorough replies. It's nice to have such a responsive community.

 

Through the forums here, I've gotten a line on a less expensive used Rochelle. I hope to check it out sometime in the next 2 weeks. However if that doesn't pan out, garage sale season is just around the corner. Who knows what I'll find .

 

Also, I called the sellers of the e-bay anglos and they couldn't answer a single one of my questions. Didn't know the type of reeds, the action/button layouts, even what the bellows or ends were made of. It just further affirmed what most people have been saying about the cheap e-bay models. Don't bother.

 

Thanks again everyone, I truly appreciate the feedback. Hopefully you'll see me back here again sometime soon with a spiffy new instrument.

 

Eric

[Leo]

........... Hopefully you'll see me back here again sometime soon with a spiffy new instrument.

 

Eric

Hi Eric

 

That will be cool! Can't wait to hear Iron Maiden on a concertina. I know Metallica and Zeppelin sounds awesome.

 

Spiffy new, used, rented, it's all good. Even if you elect to get a NoName, Unknown whomadeit, whatzit, you can at least walk into it with your eyes open, knowing it is what it is and what to expect out of it.

 

Thanks

Leo

Edited April 12, 2010 by Leo

[Rod]

Wow, thank you all for you quick and thorough replies. It's nice to have such a responsive community.

 

Through the forums here, I've gotten a line on a less expensive used Rochelle. I hope to check it out sometime in the next 2 weeks. However if that doesn't pan out, garage sale season is just around the corner. Who knows what I'll find .

 

Also, I called the sellers of the e-bay anglos and they couldn't answer a single one of my questions. Didn't know the type of reeds, the action/button layouts, even what the bellows or ends were made of. It just further affirmed what most people have been saying about the cheap e-bay models. Don't bother.

 

Thanks again everyone, I truly appreciate the feedback. Hopefully you'll see me back here again sometime soon with a spiffy new instrument.

 

Eric

If you are totally new to the game and have never had the opportunity to hold an Anglo before, any cheap old instrument is a sensible first step to take. (It may well be lurking in one of your upcoming garage sales !)

You will very soon establish whether you have that irresistable urge to proceed further and you can then go for the very best that you can reasonably afford in order to fulfil your dreams. That's more or less the path that I took.

[Woody]

I think the point Leo makes about making a decision "with your eyes open" is the key thing. After that you pays your money....

[harpomatic]

I'm with Rod on this one - I had and still have a great experience with a cheep chinese 30 button anglo. Just can't imagine how Rochelle, which looks like it came from the same factory in China is that much better(at more than twice the price).

[Woody]

I'm with Rod on this one - I had and still have a great experience with a cheep chinese 30 button anglo. Just can't imagine how Rochelle, which looks like it came from the same factory in China is that much better(at more than twice the price).

Having owned the Rochelle and a cheap Chinese look-alike I can state that the difference is like chalk & cheese. There are superficial external similarities but if you look closely, say at the strap arrangement or button positions you'll start to see where it differs. If you open one up and look at the internals there's almost no similarity - particularly with the action. My cheap Chinese box did me well but the Rochelle was a much better buy and a significant step up in quality - well worth twice the money. IMHO any beginner able to afford a Rochelle would be making a mistake if they bought the look-alike instead.

Edited April 12, 2010 by Woody

[Leo]

I think the point Leo makes about making a decision "with your eyes open" is the key thing. After that you pays your money....

Hi Woody

 

Yes! Absolutely my point. Thanks. It would be counterproductive to tell someone "not to go cheap" especially if they don't have any money, but, I vaguely remember quite a few laments and complaints that there was nothing less than a Stagi price for someone just starting out. There has always been the cheap, play it once for the dance, and throw it away type. It has it's place. Along came the Rochelle/Jackie/Elise, and the excitement over it's quality, playability, and reliability over the junk that was out there. It raised the minimum standard of good enough. I hope he sells thousands of them. (I wish I got a commission too)

 

I can appreciate and understand "I started on junk an turned out OK", but at the time, I wonder if there was a choice in the matter. Now there is a choice. It's not necessary anymore to buy an unknown when the standard has been raised. Button hooks, buggy whips, and crank starting a car aside. You don't know how many times I have to bite my tongue every time I start saying "When I was young........", and come up with a better phrase.

 

Thanks

Leo

Edited April 12, 2010 by Leo