Odd Aeola On Ebay

[Paul Read]

I see Chris Algar has an interesting instrument hereAeola. Anybody any ideas on what its story may be?

[Stephen Chambers]

I see Chris Algar has an interesting instrument here Aeola.  Anybody any ideas on what its story may be?

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I can only say that the ledgers confirm that it was indeed originally built as a baritone, on 18th November 1918 (exactly one week after the end of WW I). It has the model number 20A, which signifies a 56-key Æola baritone, and it is listed as an Octo Bar Black 56 keys 8".

[RatFace]

Dave Townsend's tenor treble that he used on Portrait of a Concertina was also originally a baritone, I think (I might be wrong). It's about the best sounding concertina I've ever heard - way way better than the tenor-treble he used on the Landscape record. It felt pretty wierd to play though... something about the positioning of the buttons in relationship to the thumb straps/finger rests.

 

No idea if these comments relate to the instrument being sold, of course.

[Stephen Chambers]

I can only say that the ledgers confirm that it was indeed originally built as a baritone

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Though perhaps I should add that I do have first-hand experience of an instrument that had been sent back to Wheatstone's to be re-reeded. It was a 1930's ebony-ended 30-key Anglo that had been made in a low key (F/C ?), and the reedplates were stamped accordingly, but the owner wanted to play "with his mates bugle", so concertina and bugle were despatched to Wheatsone's, where it was given the longest set of Bb/F reeds you ever saw in your life !