mj.wright Posted June 1, 2004 Posted June 1, 2004 I am looking for a c/g 30 keyed concertina as my one has well, had it. In the price range of about £500-£1000. Hopefully, someone in the UK has one suitable for me but as long as its not too far away, anywhere is fine. please say that you can help me as it is hard to practice with a concertina that has an air leak if you know what I mean. Please reply to this message if you can hel me. thanks a lot, mj
Chris Timson Posted June 1, 2004 Posted June 1, 2004 Well first off it might be worth getting your current concertina repaired, depending on its type and condition. If it's a Stagi or Gremlin that's knackered with age then you're probably right to replace it, but if it's a Lachenal or better then I really would seek out a good repairer. Whereabouts in the country are you? With your budget, at the upper end of that range you should be able to get something quite decent. It should be possible to get a Lachenal rosewood 30-button C/G, for instance, for about 1000 quid. Talk to Chris Algar of Barleycorn Concertinas about that. If you are happy with accordion reeds then either Marcus or Norman should be able to supply you with a new and very playable concertina (in the States, the US makers like Tedrow and Morse would also be in your budget, but once you add in import duties etc then they begin to get a bit expensive in the UK). Check out the Makers and Repairers section in the Concertina FAQ for a list of useful names and addresses. Chris
mj.wright Posted June 1, 2004 Author Posted June 1, 2004 Im in cambridgeshire but my concertina is only a rental so im not going to bother getting it repaired. thanks for the suggestion on where to get a new one, but I've already emailed Chris and am awaiting a reply. thanks again mj
Pete Dickey Posted June 1, 2004 Posted June 1, 2004 Hi Apparently Chris Algar is away until Saturday or so I was told when I rang yesterday. There's a Rosewood 30-key anglo advetised on Ebay at the moment, Item number: 3727056707. I had a look at it the other day and it's playable although needs a bit of fettling including some tuning and a couple of reeds freeing off. Should'nt be too expensive to sort and as Chris says, Barleycorn would sell this sort of instrument for about £1000. Pete
mj.wright Posted June 2, 2004 Author Posted June 2, 2004 does anyone have any idea make of concertina I should buy cos I have absolutely no idea what so ever . If you can help me please do! thanks mj
Chris Timson Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 Well, I'd refer you back to my earlier post. For about 1000 quid you can buy a nice old Lachenal (or possibly a Jones, but they are less common) or a nice new Norman or Marcus. 1000 pounds represents a price/quality break. Below that you are looking at spending about 500 pounds for a Gremlin or a Stagi which will be OK, but nothing like as good as the 1000 pound instruments. The next price/quality break is at about 2000 pounds, and there's another one beyond that at 3000 pounds. Chris
mj.wright Posted June 2, 2004 Author Posted June 2, 2004 (edited) are there any other concertina retailers you can recommend except for barleycorn as i would like to see what different people have for different prices places that i would normally try for musical instruments such as hobgoblin or the music room dont seem to know anything about concertinas so I am a bit lost in where to go. as I cannot travel very far I wuold like to see what there is in the midland region or East Anglia because traveling to there would be easier. im open to any suggestions so please tell me what you know mj Edited June 2, 2004 by mj.wright
Peter Brook Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 How much have you got to spend? when do you need it? Hobgoblin and Music Room do know what they are talking about! They mainly sell Stagis although Hobgoblin also sell new Andrew Norman Anglos, and Music Room sell new Marcus Music and Richard Morse anglos. Stagi £400 Norman £1000 Morse £1000 Marcus £1400 Hobgoblin's main concertina shop is in Crawley, Sussex. I would advise you to go direct to Andrew Norman - just type his name into google - you'll get it cheaper, but you'll have to wait about 8 months! I'm really happy with my Norman Anglo Second hand is more of a gamble but you might pick something up on ebay, or by checking this website regularly.
mj.wright Posted June 2, 2004 Author Posted June 2, 2004 I've got £500-£1000 to spend and need one (hopefully) by the enad of this month but I doubt that I can get a decent one by then. I'm sorry about my views on musicroom and hobgoblin but whenever I speak to them they seem to have no idea what so ever. thanks for your ideas mj
mj.wright Posted June 2, 2004 Author Posted June 2, 2004 About the stagi that you mentioned, if it is the same as my friends, it is massive. I would always suggest looking and playing the concertina before you buy it. any more suggestions would be great! thanks a lot! mj
Chris Timson Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 So far as the Music Room goes, phone their Cleckheaton branch and ask to speak to Gill Noppen-Spacie. She works part-time so you may have to phone back. As well as working for the Music Room she is the newsletter editor for the International Concertina Association and really does know what she is talking about on the subject of concertinas. Chris
mj.wright Posted June 2, 2004 Author Posted June 2, 2004 I have no idea where cleckheaton is but thanks anyway. does anyone know if the difference in wood on a concertina changes the tone of it because I am looking at the Lachenal rosewood 30-button C/G at the moment. what are your most recommended makes of concertina because I want to know that Im buying a decent one for the amount of money that I am spending. thanks again! mj
JimLucas Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 So far as the Music Room goes, phone their Cleckheaton branch and ask to speak to Gill Noppen-Spacie. She works part-time so you may have to phone back. Actually, I've heard that she may be indisposed for a week or so. But once you reach her, she will be very helpful. (And even though Gill plays English, she does know about anglos... and duets.) Also, the Cleckheaton branch carries various new concertinas, and vintage ones when they can get them. I believe the different branches are at least semi-independent, but the Cleckheaton one is certainly concertina-aware.
JimLucas Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 I have no idea where cleckheaton is but thanks anyway. If you're interested in finding out, you could try here. does anyone know if the difference in wood on a concertina changes the tone of it because I am looking at the Lachenal rosewood 30-button C/G at the moment.Yes, I know. Not only that, but yes, it does. It is one of many factors that can affect the tone. what are your most recommended makes of concertina because I want to know that Im buying a decent one for the amount of money that I am spending.Chris Timson has already answered that reaonsably. Of course, one of the most recommended makes is Jeffries, but that's quite incompatible with your stated price range. But the maker's name is hardly enough to guarantee a good instrument. It's the quality and condition of the individual instrument that matters, not just the name. If you don't have the expertise to tell those things, you'd better find someone you can trust who does. Lachenal is a good name, e.g., but I have a Lachenal that I'm sure you would find unsatisfactory.
Chris Timson Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 I have no idea where cleckheaton is but thanks anyway. If you're interested in finding out, you could try here. You could even try the Music Room's web site here. Chris
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now