WTB: Distressed Crane duet

[SteveS]

Hi everyone

 

I've been thinking about getting myself a Crane/Triumph duet for some time.

I'm looking for a distressed Crane in need for restoration and tlc.

 

My ideal instrument is:

- minimum 55 keys

- wooden ends

- Lachenal new model or similar spec Wheatstone

 

Since I can undertake all repair operations the state of distress of the instrument isn't so important, but it must be complete in its parts.

[Wolf Molkentin]

The Crane seems to be on a good roll currently...

 

Best wishes for your quest - ?

[SteveS]

Bump
Anyone got a distressed Crane they might fancy parting with?

[aprelias]

Hi Steve,

I have a 42 button Lachenal Crane that was previously restored. The left side accidentals are now wheezy and I took it to the Buttonbox for an evaluation.  Bob said that the reed pan blocks on that side had slipped and caused the reed pan to warp.  It still plays great except for those three notes.  If you are interested I can take some pics and post.  If you want it I'll take $400 and will include shipping.  Alan

[saguaro_squeezer]

Steve, if you don't want this, I'd like to be next in line.  And, I'm in the US.

 

Rod

[Don Taylor]

Here is a post about flattening a warped reed pan.   Not a difficult job.

 

Three years later and it is still flat.

[SteveS]

On 3/28/2019 at 9:48 PM, aprelias said:

Hi Steve,

I have a 42 button Lachenal Crane that was previously restored. The left side accidentals are now wheezy and I took it to the Buttonbox for an evaluation.  Bob said that the reed pan blocks on that side had slipped and caused the reed pan to warp.  It still plays great except for those three notes.  If you are interested I can take some pics and post.  If you want it I'll take $400 and will include shipping.  Alan

Thanks Alan - I’m after an instrument with 55 keys minimum so I think I’ll pass on this one.

 

Edited April 8, 2019 by SteveS

[saguaro_squeezer]

Alan, sent you a PM.

[Daniel Hersh]

This might be the one for you: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Concertina-Organ/113710779322?hash=item1a79b0cbba:g:Hr4AAOSwG7NcqcdR .  Definitely looks distressed, and with enough buttons...

[saguaro_squeezer]

Not quite as 'space age' as that metal ended Lachenal EC from a few weeks ago, but definitely non-standard fretwork.

[SteveS]

Thanks Daniel for the heads-up.

This is certainly distressed and needs at least new raised ends, by the look of things.

I can make raised ends - so could be a good project.

[Alex West]

I was out of reach of an internet connection but knowing you were interested Steve, I probably wouldn't have bid anyway - but did you get it?  It seemed to sell for rather more than I thought it would given the unknown provenance, date and internal condition

 

Alex West

[SteveS]

Hi Alex

Sadly no I didn’t win it - I also thought it sold for too much given the unknowns.

Steve

[Daniel Hersh]

Final price seems a bit high to me too (GBP 566.00 - approx $741 US).   I wonder if the buyer might have had more information, either from a personal inspection or from discussions with the seller.

[SteveS]

1 hour ago, Daniel Hersh said:

Final price seems a bit high to me too (GBP 566.00 - approx $741 US).   I wonder if the buyer might have had more information, either from a personal inspection or from discussions with the seller.

I requested more info about eg reeds, provenance, original parts, and didn’t receive any additional info. I set my highest bid allowing for the very significant amount of work required.

[Wolf Molkentin]

I guess we‘re all aware of another possibility: bidders on eBay are frequently paying way too much because they have been letting themselves been swept away in the bidding process without having set a reasonable limit... ?

 

It just takes two of them...

[saguaro_squeezer]

That or the seller bids it up.  That was a significantly distressed Crane to be sure, Steve and fetched a lot more than it seemed to be worth.