Bird's eye maple concertina

[Frank Edgley]

I have posted a few photos of one of my latest. http://edgleyconcertinas.blogspot.com .

[asdormire]

Looks nice. Of course I am partial to a bird's eye maple concertina.

 

Are you going for the UP market? One of the first things that was said to me last year at the Great Lakes Folk Festival last year when by some UP Finns was how nice the finish was on the one I have is. They like their Bird's eye maple in Michigan's North country.

 

Alan

[Frank Edgley]

Actually, a customer requested that wood and found the piece online. I didn't have any market in mind. I had some of the wood left to make another instrument. It would be different, though, than the one in the picture, as I would probably design the handles differently. I would not like to make the owner's instrument not unique. He special ordered the wood, so any other instrument should be slightly different.

[asdormire]

The wood just reminded me of the conversation. I hadn't thought you were trying for a particular market.

 

Alan

[up-fiddler]

Looks nice. Of course I am partial to a bird's eye maple concertina.

 

Are you going for the UP market? One of the first things that was said to me last year at the Great Lakes Folk Festival last year when by some UP Finns was how nice the finish was on the one I have is. They like their Bird's eye maple in Michigan's North country.

 

Alan

 

I am from the U.P. and while it is true that we love our bird's eye it is also true that there is a dearth of concertina players up here. Any that may be out there and reading this should feel free to contact me about getting together and playing. Dave.

 

BTW - VERY NICE concertina in bird's eye Frank.

[asdormire]

Frank-Is this a CG?

 

Dave-Unfortunately, I am a troll, having been brought up in the thumb, and now live even farther into troll country in Ohio.

 

Alan

[Frank Edgley]

Frank-Is this a CG?

 

Dave-Unfortunately, I am a troll, having been brought up in the thumb, and now live even farther into troll country in Ohio.

 

Alan

Yes, the concertina I made was a C/G, but the one which has been started could be any configuration or key.

[Chris Timson]

Frank, hang on to it. One day that bird's eye maple might come in handy ...

 

I'll tell you an old-fashioned story

That Grandfather used to relate,

Of a joiner and building contractor;

'Is name, it were Sam Oglethwaite.

 

In a shop on the banks of the Irwell,

Old Sam used to follow 'is trade,

In a place you'll have 'eard of, called Bury;

You know, where black puddings is made.

 

One day, Sam were filling a knot 'ole

Wi' putty, when in thro' the door

Came an old feller fair wreathed wi' whiskers;

T'ould chap said 'Good morning, I'm Noah.'

 

Sam asked Noah what was 'is business,

And t'ould chap went on to remark,

That not liking the look of the weather,

'E were thinking of building an Ark.

 

'E'd gotten the wood for the bulwarks,

And all t'other shipbuilding junk,

And wanted some nice Bird's Eye Maple

To panel the side of 'is bunk.

 

Now Maple were Sam's Monopoly;

That means it were all 'is to cut,

And nobody else 'adn't got none;

So 'e asked Noah three ha'pence a foot.

 

'A ha'penny too much,' replied Noah

'A Penny a foot's more the mark;

A penny a foot, and when t'rain comes,

I'll give you a ride in me Ark.'

 

But neither would budge in the bargain;

The whole daft thing were kind of a jam,

So Sam put 'is tongue out at Noah,

And Noah made Long Bacon* at Sam

 

In wrath and ill-feeling they parted,

Not knowing when they'd meet again,

And Sam had forgot all about it,

'Til one day it started to rain.

 

It rained and it rained for a fortni't,

And flooded the 'ole countryside.

It rained and it kept' on raining,

'Til the Irwell were fifty mile wide.

 

The 'ouses were soon under water,

And folks to the roof 'ad to climb.

They said 'twas the rottenest summer

That Bury 'ad 'ad for some time.

 

The rain showed no sign of abating,

And water rose hour by hour,

'Til the only dry land were at Blackpool,

And that were on top of the Tower.

 

So Sam started swimming to Blackpool;

It took 'im best part of a week.

'Is clothes were wet through when 'e got there,

And 'is boots were beginning to leak.

 

'E stood to 'is watch-chain in water,

On Tower top, just before dark,

When who should come sailing towards 'im

But old Noah, steering 'is Ark.

 

They stared at each other in silence,

'Til Ark were alongside, all but,

Then Noah said: 'What price yer Maple?'

Sam answered 'Three ha'pence a foot.'

 

Noah said 'Nay; I'll make thee an offer,

The same as I did t'other day.

A penny a foot and a free ride.

Now, come on, lad, what does tha say?'

 

'Three ha'pence a foot,' came the answer.

So Noah 'is sail 'ad to hoist,

And sailed off again in a dudgeon,

While Sam stood determined, but moist.

 

Noah cruised around, flying 'is pigeons,

'Til fortieth day of the wet,

And on 'is way back, passing Blackpool,

'E saw old Sam standing there yet.

 

'Is chin just stuck out of the water;

A comical figure 'e cut,

Noah said: 'Now what's the price of yer Maple?'

Sam answered: 'Three ha'pence a foot.'

 

Said Noah: 'Ye'd best take my offer;

It's last time I'll be hereabout;

And if water comes half an inch higher,

I'll happen get Maple for nowt.'

 

'Three ha'pence a foot it'll cost yer,

And as fer me,' Sam said, 'don't fret.

The sky's took a turn since this morning;

I think it'll brighten up yet.'

[ben]

Yes, the concertina I made was a C/G, but the one which has been started could be any configuration or key.

 

We should not let that Bird's Eye Maple frame go to waste. Frank, I volunteer to take that the extra wood off your hands....after it is magically turned into a Professional Model Ab/Eb concertina! The deposit is in the mail.

[jdms]

Frank, hang on to it. One day that bird's eye maple might come in handy ...

 

I'll tell you an old-fashioned story

That Grandfather used to relate...

 

One may hear (a slightly longer version of) this recited by Tony Barrand on his and John Roberts' album Live at Holsteins! (aka Eat Bertha's Mussels).

 

jdms