Stephen Chambers Posted December 21, 2016 Posted December 21, 2016 (edited) Shire 36-Key C/G Anglo Concertina #8 - Reworked "Shire" concertinas were made in England in 1978-9 (and for a short time after?) by John Timpany, and there have been a number of references to them here - including an explanation of what happened to the project from John Timpany. Shire Anglos were of traditional English construction, with concertina reeds and reed pans, and a 36-key button layout that is basically "Jeffries" - though the 30 "core" buttons on this C/G one (#8) are in Wheatstone fingering. It had extensive work done to it in 2008 by Marcus Music in Wales (for a well-known Irish concertina player and teacher) - see the Invoice (with his name blanked out) in my last photo. This involved new 7-fold bellows, relining of the bellows frames, new pads, valves, handstraps, bushings and dampers, plus tuning. I've just finished the long task of dovetailing the reedframes securely into the pan board (they were only a "friction fit" previously, which was totally inadequate to produce a decent sound/response), voicing and tuning the reeds and, though it doesn't have the volume of a Jeffries, it does now play very nicely, with an appealing "concertina" tone. Complete with a new, de-luxe, Italian fitted case. I'm selling this for a lady in Ireland. Edited October 16, 2017 by Stephen Chambers
Rod Posted December 22, 2016 Posted December 22, 2016 Interesting Stephen. My 36 key C/G Shire Anglo was possibly the last in the line. I bought it brand new from John and it remains in its totally original state apart from a few new springs and replacement leather straps. The only significant difference is that mine still has its original finely woven fabric lining behind the metal end plates, which I guess probably contributes to a certain extent to its appealing tone and certainly must play a part in protecting the guts of the instrument from the ingress of dust, dirt and other extraneous matter. Its relatively soft delicate tone is, to me, one of its most attractive features.
SteveS Posted December 22, 2016 Posted December 22, 2016 (edited) I have a Shire English in the resto pile - it's in a bit of state though Edited December 22, 2016 by SteveS
Wookieplays Posted December 24, 2016 Posted December 24, 2016 Hello Steve. Could we see a layout chart and possibly hear a sound clip. Many thanks Paul
Patrick McMahon Posted December 25, 2016 Posted December 25, 2016 Just for curiosity, what are the reed frames made of? Hard to tell from the pics.
Stephen Chambers Posted December 25, 2016 Author Posted December 25, 2016 (edited) Hello Steve. Could we see a layout chart and possibly hear a sound clip. Many thanks Paul I'll draw a layout chart as soon as I get a chance Paul, the sound clip is likely to be more of a problem because I don't know how you do that... Edited December 26, 2016 by Stephen Chambers
Stephen Chambers Posted December 25, 2016 Author Posted December 25, 2016 (edited) Just for curiosity, what are the reed frames made of? Hard to tell from the pics. They're aluminium Patrick, whilst some of the reed clamping nuts are brass, and the remainder aluminium. I took the photo as the daylight was fading, and the greys of the leather bellows gasket and the aluminium have come out with a bluish cast to them. Edited December 26, 2016 by Stephen Chambers
SteveS Posted December 27, 2016 Posted December 27, 2016 (edited) removed - realised the question was addessed to Stephen Edited December 28, 2016 by SteveS
Stephen Chambers Posted January 9, 2017 Author Posted January 9, 2017 I'll be in England (mainly Brighton, London and Luton) later this week, from Thursday 12th to Monday 16th January. So let me know if you'd like to see and try the instrument...
nkgibbs Posted April 27 Posted April 27 Dear Stephen, I realise that this is an old thread but wonder whether it might be possible to repost a few photos of the 36b Shire Anglo that you were selling for a client in 2017? Could I also ask whether you sold it in the UK? Many thanks, Neil
Peter Smith Posted April 27 Posted April 27 Does this relate to the Shire 38 button at auction on Friday at Rye Auction Galleries? I would be interested to see pictures of how the concertina is constructed internally, as peering through the fretwork, it looks a bit unusual. Regards Peter
nkgibbs Posted April 27 Posted April 27 Peter, Yes, that’s exactly why I am asking! I wondered if the fretwork was similar to Stephen’s 36b……..It will be interesting to see what is inside! Best regards, Neil
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