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Newbie Bgp Seeks First & Last Anglo 30B For Fun, Music, Ltr


lukmanohnz

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That'd be bluegrass guitar player, though more recently I've been in a mandolin phase. Have loved the sound and music of Celtic/Irish bands for years and decided it is finally time to dive in head first. After 30+ years playing guitar and having acquired a taste for fine instruments I bought a cheap $200 mandolin a few years ago which lasted me about six weeks before upgrading to a $2400 handmade mando that has delighted me ever since and will last me a lifetime. I was ready to buy a Rochelle, but did some research and decided I will skip the cheap starter phase this time around and save the $415. I am lucky enough that I can sell a nice guitar amp to fund a CC Clover or equivalent. Any opinions on the Clover? There is also a used 30b offered here in the forum right now that looks appealing. Any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated. And if you have a nice Anglo for sale in the $2K range please do chime in!

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I can't comment on the Clover, but I recently acquired a Peacock duet which is in the same family/build quality as the Clover so I guess it shares many characteristics.

 

Mine is the base model with a natural finish and the standard bellows.

 

Its tone is very nice and the action is light and even. It feels nice in the hand - if you know what I mean.

 

The reeds are quick to respond and can be played softly - with the exception of the lowest reed which on my box needs a bit more air. That might just need resetting after its recent journey from the UK.

 

The bellows are tight and I don't think that the extra cost Wakker bellows would make much of a difference. Air supply has not been a problem.

 

I am not too fond of the natural finish which is just oiled wood. I don't know what the wood is but it is fairly soft so I think that I will have to be careful not to damage it.

 

I have also been told, by Wim, to keep it from big changes in humidity - which is quite difficult where I live.

 

If I were buying a new Anglo then I would consider paying more for the better finished version of the Clover but then you would be paying about the same as for a Morse Ceilidh which has a good reputation here, and probably a better resale/trade in value.

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We've had a scattering of other hybrid makes (Marcus, etc.) go for prices in the $1000-2000 range in the last six months; might want to glance back a few pages and see if any of those haven't sold, or watch for the next one to pop up.

 

(not sure if these are still up for sale)

 

Like this gorgeous Edgley for $2400: http://www.concertina.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=16830

 

Another Edgley SOLD in July: http://www.concertina.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=16830

 

26b Wheatstone €2500: http://www.concertina.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=16972

 

Morse Ceili posted in August by new member who hasn't been heard from: http://www.concertina.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=16862

Tedrow 31b for $2300: http://www.concertina.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=16937

Edited by MatthewVanitas
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Greg Jowaisas restores vintage concertinas. He may have an anglo in your price range. I bought an English concertina from him, and it is in very good condition. He is a member of this forum.

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He's waiting for the used one (that a newb tried to sell here but ended up selling to BB) to pop up on BB's used listing.

 

If the price is reasonable, Ceili sounds an awfully good option, plus bird-in-the-hand and all that, and a very easy instrument to re-sell should he change makes later.

Edited by MatthewVanitas
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Yup - it's the used one referred to by Matthew that I was looking for. I have looked at all the information on the made-to-order Morse instruments at the BB web site. If I decide to buy a new instrument, I will likely buy the Clover. There's currently one listed as in stock at an accordion dealership in Oakland, CA. I may drive down there to check it out if I can confirm that it's actually there. I must say, shopping for a good used guitar or mandolin is much, much easier than shopping for a quality concertina.

Edited by lukmanohnz
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