saguaro_squeezer Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 (edited) Ever since my early Crane days, I've been searching for an 80 button Crane. Of course, no luck. But while at Kilve, Colin Dipper floated the idea of converting a Maccann to Crane. I don't really want to convert my lovely big Crabb Maccann, but what about building a new set of ends with action that you could swap out with the Maccann ends? You already have the reeds, reed pans, bellows, etc. All you'd need is the action and ends. Would any of the builders out there care to hazard a guess as to the cost? I won't consider it in any way a quote ... just an idea to see if it's even feasable. Edited February 14, 2019 by saguaro_squeezer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf Molkentin Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 this would just add the costs of the ends, as a fully new action and end plates would be needed anyway... good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAc Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 (edited) this is more or less a variation of the Müllerized EC: https://www.holdenconcertinas.com/?p=1480 I'm sure Alex would tackle it. Apparently it's a fully reversible conversion. Edited February 11, 2019 by RAc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveS Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 (edited) Good idea to convert by building new ends. The original ends will need to be clamped up after swapping out for the Crane ends so as to prevent warping. I guess a flat board into which suitable captive nuts, similar to those on the original 'tina, would do the job. Edited February 11, 2019 by SteveS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_holden Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 I suspect it might not be feasible to build the action without rearranging the reed chambers so they are somewhat in line with the appropriate buttons. The Müllerization concept is possible because the new keyboard still follows the English pattern, it's just shifted and spaced out more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saguaro_squeezer Posted February 11, 2019 Author Share Posted February 11, 2019 (edited) Alex, I guess I thought ... and perhaps with quite a bit of naivete ... that since both were duets and had roughly the same placement and progression ascending the sale, that the reed chambers could stay as they were. Otherwise, you would be truly changing the instrument. Your point is well taken and I'll have a look at the reed placement. I hadn't seen your Müller conversion ... that's very nicely done! Edited February 11, 2019 by saguaro_squeezer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theo Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 Rod, I have an 81 key Lachenal Maccann with damaged ebony ends that would make a donor for this project. It’s an extended hexagon in shape and has good seven fold bellows, good reeds. If you are interested I can take photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saguaro_squeezer Posted February 11, 2019 Author Share Posted February 11, 2019 Hi Theo. I sent you a PM. Yes, that could be interesting, though ... (watching out for stones) ..., nothing beats the sound of a big Crabb! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saguaro_squeezer Posted February 14, 2019 Author Share Posted February 14, 2019 (edited) A question came up, would I want metal or wood ends? Setting aside weight, what does a metal-ended Lachenal sound like, compared to a wooden-ended one? I don't know that comparing my wooden-ended Lachenal 48 with my metal-ended Connor or Crabbs is a fair comparison. I could infer 'brighter' but that seems too obvious. Any thoughts? Edited February 14, 2019 by saguaro_squeezer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf Molkentin Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 I guess I would very much prefer metal ends for a concertina that large (re stability / reliability) ... ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAc Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 8 hours ago, saguaro_squeezer said: A question came up, would I want metal or wood ends? Setting aside weight, what does a metal-ended Lachenal sound like, compared to a wooden-ended one? I don't know that comparing my wooden-ended Lachenal 48 with my metal-ended Connor or Crabbs is a fair comparison. I could infer 'brighter' but that seems too obvious. Any thoughts? https://www.instagram.com/p/BoyXbsmARiN/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saguaro_squeezer Posted February 14, 2019 Author Share Posted February 14, 2019 Well, with Theo and Alex's help, I'm going to have a MacCrane! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_holden Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 9 minutes ago, RAc said: https://www.instagram.com/p/BoyXbsmARiN/ Well remembered, I forgot I recorded a video of that experiment. The owner of the instrument did later tell me he thinks it has a slightly mellower tone with the new wooden ends (which in his case was what he was hoping to get). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Madden Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 As a fellow Tucsonan, I would go for metal ends, or particularly plane wooden ones. Our climate can cause havoc with finely cut wood, and I unfortunately know this by experience. BTW Where do you expect to have the ends made if you go that way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saguaro_squeezer Posted February 15, 2019 Author Share Posted February 15, 2019 Hi Dan. Alex is going to take on the conversion so I'm figuring that he'll do the ends. We'd talked about aluminium to save weight, since the mighty Maccann that is the donor instrument is no small concertina. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saguaro_squeezer Posted February 18, 2019 Author Share Posted February 18, 2019 And it's on its way to Alex. He said he'd need an addition to store it and I asked him not to park it out in front on cement blocks, lest his local council have some concerns. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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