Edgley Concertina Tone

[Doug Barr]

Frank, how do you manipulate an accordian reed so that it sounds like a concertina?

[Frank Edgley]

Dear Doug,

There is more than one factor involved. However, since concertina making is very labour intensive (I spend 80 to 100 hours making one plus parts and overhead) and compensation on an hourly basis not a great deal more than minimum wage, some things are best kept secret so as to maintain whatever advantage I may have. Larger corporations may be able to patent designs and such, but this has never been the case with concertinas.

Edited August 22, 2004 by Frank Edgley

[Helen]

Ah well, I think Frank's secret is all the love he throws into the mix while he is making the concertinas.

 

Mine is wonderful. I love it.

 

Thanks, Frank.

 

Helen

 

I think a meticulous artisan with years of experience and real caring for the craft makes a huge difference. Also the fact that Frank plays concertinas.

 

I've had some nice lap dulcimers by people who do not play, but all of the best hammer dulcimers I've played have been made by people who also play hammer dulcimer.

 

Just my musings.

[Chris Timson]

There is more than one factor involved. However, since concertina making is very labour intensive (I spend 80 to 100 hours making one plus parts and overhead) and compensation on an hourly basis not a great deal more than minimum wage, some things are best kept secret so as to maintain whatever advantage I may have.

I have to say that I consider Frank's attitude entirely reasonable. The Dippers reckon on a month of a person's time to make a concertina - the difference between them and Frank would I guess largely be put down to the reeds. Colin has said to me that building concertinas is not the way to get rich. There's much better money to be made from repairs. They make concertinas because of a conviction that it's an important and worthwhile thing to do in itself, and I suspect Frank probably thinks the same.

 

I think we are lucky to have craftsmen of the quality of Frank, Colin and Rosemary, Bob and Harold and the rest. If they want to keep their secrets, well, I guess they've earned the right.

 

Chris

Edited August 22, 2004 by Chris Timson