Jackie or gremlin Stagi EC for beginner

[sam spoons]

I'm hoping to buy a used English Concertina soon, pricewise I'm looking at a used Jackie but is the Gremlin branded Stagi 48 key (there Is one of each for sale locally, the Stagi at a significantly higher price) a better bet for a beginner? I'm a competent guitar player and improving on mandolin with good theory and I've done some homework and decided the EC is probably going to suit me better than an Anglo in the long run. I do have Michael Eskin's Englitina on my iPad and have spent an hour or so in a friendly dealer trying some beautiful old EC's (sadly way out of my price range). OTOH there seem to be many more cheapish vintage Anglo's about, a Lachenal in (supposedly) good order went on ebay for just over £200 today so would a vintage Anglo be a better investment than a new EC? BTW I understand all the 'buyer beware' stuff relating to good old feebay and will only buy something I can inspect before I part with any money.

Edited December 14, 2012 by sam spoons

[fearfeasog]

I'm hoping to buy a used English Concertina soon, pricewise I'm looking at a used Jackie but is the Gremlin branded Stagi 48 key (there Is one of each for sale locally, the Stagi at a significantly higher price) a better bet for a beginner? I'm a competent guitar player and improving on mandolin with good theory and I've done some homework and decided the EC is probably going to suit me better than an Anglo in the long run. I do have Michael Eskin's Englitina on my iPad and have spent an hour or so in a friendly dealer trying some beautiful old EC's (sadly way out of my price range). OTOH there seem to be many more cheapish vintage Anglo's about, a Lachenal in (supposedly) good order went on ebay for just over £200 today so would a vintage Anglo be a better investment than a new EC? BTW I understand all the 'buyer beware' stuff relating to good old feebay and will only buy something I can inspect before I part with any money.

 

I have heard nothing but good about the Concertina Connection instruments, and not much good about Stagi's. I had a C.C. Rochelle anglo for a few months and it was a great starter. I reckon the Jackie would be just as good.

[Dirge]

I'm hoping to buy a used English Concertina soon, pricewise I'm looking at a used Jackie but is the Gremlin branded Stagi 48 key (there Is one of each for sale locally, the Stagi at a significantly higher price) a better bet for a beginner? I'm a competent guitar player and improving on mandolin with good theory and I've done some homework and decided the EC is probably going to suit me better than an Anglo in the long run. I do have Michael Eskin's Englitina on my iPad and have spent an hour or so in a friendly dealer trying some beautiful old EC's (sadly way out of my price range). OTOH there seem to be many more cheapish vintage Anglo's about, a Lachenal in (supposedly) good order went on ebay for just over £200 today so would a vintage Anglo be a better investment than a new EC? BTW I understand all the 'buyer beware' stuff relating to good old feebay and will only buy something I can inspect before I part with any money.

 

Surely not the very Sam Spoons legendary for his work on rhythm pole?

[sam spoons]

Sadly not, I adopted the pseudonym in my late teens! Around 1970 as an avid Bonzos fan (I hope Martin Ash doesn't mind).

 

I had almost decided on the Jackie based on what I have read on here and other places but the Staggi being a 48 button instrument made me think twice. Also, I did read somewhere that some Staggi's were ok.

Edited December 15, 2012 by sam spoons

[Dirge]

Sadly not, I adopted the pseudonym in my late teens! Around 1970 as an avid Bonzos fan (I hope Martin Ash doesn't mind).

 

I had almost decided on the Jackie based on what I have read on here and other places but the Staggi being a 48 button instrument made me think twice. Also, I did read somewhere that some Staggi's were ok.

I've been called Dirge since i was at school. It's difficult to escape sometimes.