Vintage Crabb On Ebay?

[JimR]

It looks like someone put H Crabb badges on a 20b Hohner D40 clone. Your thoughts? Scam or no scam?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Crabb-Son-Anglo-Concertina-Accordion-Fast-Shipping-/112578467237?hash=item1a363315a5:g:D04AAOSwQlRZynA7

 

[Theo]

It doesn't look like a Hohner, more like a Lachenal. Crabb did cheaper concertinas in their later years that were based on similar parts to Lachenals. It is likely to be a genuine Crabb concertina, but not one of their best quality instruments.

[malcolm clapp]

I have an identical model to this one, though mine somewhat modified by the later addition of bushed metal buttons. Definitely a product of the Crabb family, made at a time when the concertina business was in fairly dire straits according to Geoffrey Crabb, so a few corners cut in the name of economy. Decent conventional concertina reeds and a riveted action, though let down a little by the painted ends and coach screws for end bolts, but a reasonable imstrument for all that, and far and away better than a Hohner, and plays better than an equivalent Lachenal imho.

[alex_holden]

The advert mentions late 1940s - is that accurate, or is it later?

[malcolm clapp]

Well, mine is numbered 10095, which Geoffrey Crabb dated as 1947, so the one on eBay (10434) would be a little later, probably well into the 1950s or even the 1960s, as I understand that overall production was fairly low during this period.

 

(Edited to reflect my later post; it looks like 1949 would be the likely build date).

Edited October 4, 2017 by malcolm clapp

[John Wild]

My Crabb tenor number 9414 was dated to between 1935 and 1938. Another English concertina I used to own was dated to 1981. If I remember correctly, its number was 19583.

[malcolm clapp]

I own # 18658 (with original receipt and copious correspondence), built in 1987, and apparently one of the last in which Geoffrey and Neville Crabb both had a hand in its manufacture. (Geoffrey left the business later that year, and, sadly, Neville passed away soon after.)

 

This seems at odds with the number on the English you once owned, John....In fact, I don't think they got up into the19xxxx numbers.

 

Edited to add:

 

It would be nice to hear from Geoffrey Crabb, who hasn't posted here for a while; I understand that he has been somewhat unwell. Without wishing to compromise his privacy, can anyone update us on his progress? I'm sure that many of us here would be interested and keen to know of his situation.

Edited October 4, 2017 by malcolm clapp

[malcolm clapp]

Just remembered an earlier post concerning a 30 key version of the 2 row mentioned in the original post, number 10473 and dated as 1949.

 

http://www.concertina.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=19576&hl=%2Bgeoffrey+%2Bcrabb

 

It would appear that my earlier assessment was incorrect, and 1949 is most likely the build date for this eBay offering. (Sold incidentally for US$435)

Edited October 4, 2017 by malcolm clapp

[John Wild]

I own # 18658 (with original receipt and copious correspondence), built in 1987, and apparently one of the last in which Geoffrey and Neville Crabb both had a hand in its manufacture. (Geoffrey left the business later that year, and, sadly, Neville passed away soon after.)

 

This seems at odds with the number on the English you once owned, John....In fact, I don't think they got up into the19xxxx numbers.

 

 

 

Sorry - I must be getting dyslexic. it was 18593.

Edited October 4, 2017 by John Wild

[JD Leedham]

I'd like to fess up. After selling all of my concertinas for health related financial reasons I've been missing playing terribly. I purchased this very instrument on eBay as I suspected it to be somewhat special given the maker(s).

 

It arrived in it's original case, with original hand straps and I honestly think that it has never been played. Each and every note is spot on, the bellows are original, but look, smell and move like they were made yesterday. The insides are pristine and could have been made yesterday. not a bit of dust, rust or anything. I've been playing it for a week and I will echo Malcolm's assessment as given above relative to play-ability, tone etc.

 

As to the number and date of this instrument: "...from the records I can confirm that number 10434 was 1 of 124 made during the 1949 - 1950 season." -G. Crabb

 

I'll post a review and a photo documentary of this concertina here on Concertina.net as circumstances allow.

Best to all

[Geoffrey Crabb]

It would be nice to hear from Geoffrey Crabb, who hasn't posted here for a while; I understand that he has been somewhat unwell. Without wishing to compromise his privacy, can anyone update us on his progress? I'm sure that many of us here would be interested and keen to know of his situation.

 

Hi Malcolm and all,

 

Well, as you can see, I am still in the land of the living but various ongoing health issues occurring since January 2016 mean that things I have to do have taken precedence over the things I would like to do hence my very few contributions.

Whilst I am assured that these health things are not life threatening at the moment they are darned frustrating and most things are a struggle.

 

Still in an attempt to atone, please see the information attached which may be of interest.

Crabb Budget Concertinas.doc

 

Geoffrey