seanc Posted April 25, 2020 Share Posted April 25, 2020 All need a bit of help. a few years ago I got a 48 button Lachenal from Greg Jowaisis. It has been great. But now I am looking to upgrade. Maybe something a bit louder and a bit faster. i asked BB about an upgrade (as they are local) they said that they are not interested in mine in trade as they currently have too and in stock. anybody have any suggestions? fwiw.. I case anybody is interested I have the 48b Lachenal, I Gitane dg32O and a Studiologic sledge and some cash for a potential trade. Sean.casler@gmail.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanc Posted May 1, 2020 Author Share Posted May 1, 2020 Follow up question... Greg J has a few nice pieces. And starting to get to having the cash to make decision. the two I am seriously considering is a Wheatstone 21 and a Holmwood ( looks like one that may have changed hands on here). The Holmwood is gorgeous has more buttons and is, by all accounts heavier . any strong opinions from the people who know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Wooff Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 Depends what you wish to use it for Seanc. The Wheatstone model 21 will be bright , quick and cheerfull. Good for melody playing, sessions etc. Generally the cheapest of the metal ended Wheatstones they are fine instruments. The Holmwood , will be a Tennor Treble made by Hamish Bayne. You can find much information on-line about his creations. I'd imagine that this would be better for song accompaniment, much bigger and heavier... unless you feel you need the extra range.....? I've never tried one but hopefully someone will come along who has. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanc Posted May 1, 2020 Author Share Posted May 1, 2020 I have been focusing mainly on ITM. I do have an ac Norman Anglo. But the English to me just makes more sense. So, I have been focusing on that. I can see mostly ITM as the focus, but I can also see other folk tunes and song accomopanyment as well. I have not run out of notes on the 48 yet. But I can always see having a few extra notes as a good thing. I am ramping up and the Lachenal / ec and I am to the point of noticing that the Norman feels much faster and brighter and louder. And as I work on getting tunes up to speed I seem to be hitting a wall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Wooff Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 In your situation and interest focus I would suggest the Wheatstone model 21. I use a Model 22 for session and dance band playing but for many years, whilst living in Ireland I used a Model No.5, which is the same as a 21 except it has Rosewood ends. I prefered it to an Aeola for session playing and it was only when I needed maximum volume for the current dance band I'm in did I search for a metal ended type. The technical differences between the 21 and the 22 are probably not as important to us as is availability and price. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Wilson Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 I had a Wheatie 21 for many years and it served me very well. Mostly used it for song accompaniment but it could hold its own when playing along in a rollicking tune session. One adjustment I made was to slightly reduce the travel of the buttons by placing a second washer on the foot of each. These I made of leather using a leather hole punch although I think the existing washers were felt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanc Posted May 1, 2020 Author Share Posted May 1, 2020 Definitely leaning towards the 21.. it would be nice to get a bit of Holmwood feedback. That thing is gorgeous! i have to think that 70 years of technology and manufacturing capabilities would put it (performance wise) on par or overall better than something made during or just after WWI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken_Coles Posted May 2, 2020 Share Posted May 2, 2020 I'm an anglo player and thus really just a beginner-level player on EC, but I tried a Holmwood years ago and it was clearly a very nice instrument and seemed quite responsive (not that I could give it a workout). Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanc Posted May 2, 2020 Author Share Posted May 2, 2020 Ken, I am really a beginner as well. And on everything I play ( primarily bass) I always consider myself to be a student. I am constantly trying to learn and get better. Even though I may be reasonably competent, I am always trying to be better. Try different stuff and expand the ability and vocabulary. i have found that two things tend to inspire me to are performance and quality. An instrument that performs well ( presumably Wheatstone) allows and encourages you to rise to its potential. And a work of art can inspire practice for the satisfaction of playing a work of art. In rare occasions you get both and it can really inspire practice as well as push your own abilities. the Wheatstone is the safe and rational choice and Holmwood could be the wow factor inspiring one. And that one that you look back as “ the one that got away” So, I am conflicted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Stein Posted May 2, 2020 Share Posted May 2, 2020 Recontact Greg. Has boxes for sale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d.elliott Posted May 2, 2020 Share Posted May 2, 2020 I can see that your concertina is rosewood ended, that will take some of the brightness out of the tone, I don't see any baffles, the big question is the reed tongue material, steel or brass. If steel, and you want more brightness and "cut'' to the tone then you are looking at a metal ended instrument, if it is absolute volume,then you are looking at a long series steel reeded instrument, like an Edeophone or an Aeola, assuming you want a traditional instrument, not a modern reproduction instrument. Again metal ends will help. ITM is not a term I have heard here in sunny Yorkshire, I am guessing Irish Traditional Music? Hence a assume session play? A steel reeded instrument would be effectively mandatory, and metal ends a great help. I would check with Greg, A good bloke, very knowledgeable, he might know of your instrument's reed type, if you do not. The build standard evident from the picture is for a better grade of instrument, but it may still have brass reeds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanc Posted May 3, 2020 Author Share Posted May 3, 2020 D. Steel reeds. thanks that is useful. And pretty much confirms the majority of info that the Wheatstone is a strong, well accepted solution. And probably the route I will end up taking. As this will all go through Greg I will ask him to send me some clips of each, as soon as I get some guns or guitars sold to finalize the funds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf Molkentin Posted May 4, 2020 Share Posted May 4, 2020 yes - model 21, given your ambitions (and yes, I too would like to give a Holmwood TT a try...) best wishes - ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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