Riggy Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 I am really impressed with the LOOK of these instruments http://www.wakker-concertinas.com/photo parade.htm Are they as good as they look and worth the $6-9k ? Are they constructed at the level of craftsmanship of Wheatstone's golden era ? Riggy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Besser Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 19 minutes ago, Riggy said: I am really impressed with the LOOK of these instruments http://www.wakker-concertinas.com/photo parade.htm Are they as good as they look and worth the $6-9k ? Are they constructed at the level of craftsmanship of Wheatstone's golden era ? Riggy If you know Dave Marcus in Atlanta, you should talk to him; he has one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Mellish Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 There should be a few on here who have Wakker instruments and can say what they think of them. I have one on order . . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d.elliott Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 I have a Wakker bass in for service, solidly made, heavy, all Wakker's own made instruments are well crafted and the better instruments use traditional reeds for the authentic sound. The bass is a bit ploddy and not as responsive as the owner would like, but other Wakkers have been reasonable. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff W. Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 I'm on the waitlist to someday convert my Concertina Connection Clover to a Wakker A5 via their upgrade program. Like the OP, I'm keen to hear what modern users think - Wim doesn't seem to get as much air time as other famed makers, in my research. Perhaps it's because they're now a US-based shop and a lot of Anglo players at the $6-9k range of instrument are in the UK, and would go for a Dipper/Suttner/vintage Jeffries/Wheatstone etc first and foremost? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Barnert Posted August 26, 2020 Share Posted August 26, 2020 Years ago I had a chance to play Jeff Lefferts’s WH1 (Wakker’s 46-key Hayden). I was very happy with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Bayliss Posted August 27, 2020 Share Posted August 27, 2020 I own two Wakkers, W-1 and W-2 Hayden duets, and am very pleased with them. They are as good as they look and well worth the $. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted August 27, 2020 Share Posted August 27, 2020 (edited) I bought a Wakker W-A4 in 2013. It is a superb instrument and well worth the money. Workmanship is top-notch. The reeds are particularly impressive. Highly responsive with rich tone. The Wakker is quite different from the Dipper C/G that I have. They are both excellent in their own waý. Edited August 27, 2020 by Frosty add content Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff W. Posted August 27, 2020 Share Posted August 27, 2020 39 minutes ago, Frosty said: I bought a Wakker W-A4 in 2013. It is a superb instrument and well worth the money. Workmanship is top-notch. The reeds are particularly impressive. Highly responsive with rich tone. The Wakker is quite different from the Dipper C/G that I have. They are both excellent in their own waý. Could you elaborate on the differences? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted August 28, 2020 Share Posted August 28, 2020 The Wakker is livelier. The reeds respond a bit more quickly than the Dipper reeds, and with greater volume. The timbre of the Dipper is richer. Workmanship on the Wakker is faultless, but the Dippers take the workmanship to a level beyond even that. It’s a pleasure to open the concertina and admire. Bellows on the Dipper are also the best that I’ve ever played. I generally play the Wakker for a month, and then switch to the Dipper for a month. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaddyLosty Posted August 28, 2020 Share Posted August 28, 2020 What model is your Dipper? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted August 29, 2020 Share Posted August 29, 2020 County Clare, i.e. a bit smaller than 6”. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Wooff Posted August 29, 2020 Share Posted August 29, 2020 (edited) Two soundcloud tracks; both recorded in the same space with the exact same set up . The first is a Kerry polka played on a Wakker H1. 46key Hayden duet with wooden ends. The second is a French tune played on a 57 key Wheatstone Aeola McCann with metal ends. These tracks were submissions for the Tune of the Month forum. Posted for tonal comparison.. Edited August 29, 2020 by Geoff Wooff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isel Posted August 29, 2020 Share Posted August 29, 2020 Wowww what a difference!! Sort off curiosity Geoff, the title of the second one resembles to me more as catalán languaje. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Wooff Posted August 29, 2020 Share Posted August 29, 2020 8 minutes ago, Isel said: Wowww what a difference!! Sort off curiosity Geoff, the title of the second one resembles to me more as catalán languaje. Indeed Isel , there is a big tonal difference. Perhaps this is not a very balanced test so I will try a different one in my next post. Regarding the second tune title, I'm not exactly sure but it must be one of the southern France languages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Wooff Posted August 29, 2020 Share Posted August 29, 2020 (edited) Perhaps a better comparison and similar genres. The first track is played on the Wakker 46K Hayden (wooden ends). The second is played on a wooden ended 56k Wheastone Aeola English , Baritone /Treble. Edited August 29, 2020 by Geoff Wooff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isel Posted August 29, 2020 Share Posted August 29, 2020 What nice recordings!. Less pronounced, but still clear tonal difference ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Barnert Posted August 29, 2020 Share Posted August 29, 2020 4 hours ago, Isel said: Sort off curiosity Geoff, the title of the second one resembles to me more as catalán languaje. 4 hours ago, Geoff Wooff said: Regarding the second tune title, I'm not exactly sure but it must be one of the southern France languages. In another thread (13 years ago), it was identified as Occitan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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