conzertino Posted August 26, 2020 Share Posted August 26, 2020 I'm selling a very rare, if not unique, six-sided Wheatstone Aeola Baritone. Before Wheatstone started to make eight-sided Aeolas as their top-range-instruments they made a couple of six-sided ones which have the name "Aeola" stamped into the wood.They all have very limited fretwork ( referred to as "dot &comma" or "pinhole" ) resulting in a typical unusual soft and mellow sound. This instrument is in baritone-range, one octave below normal treble. The serial number is 22664 ( around 1900 ). It has ebonised ends, 48 metal keys ( a few are not original! ) and steel-reeds in Aluminum-frames. It has been restored many years ago by Crabb with new six-fold bellows and a new case. It is in concert-pitch and plays well with a full and deep, but not too loud, sound - ideal for chamber-music or song accompaniment! I'm asking 3250€ or 2900 Pound or 3850$. Located in Germany. I listed the instrument on ebay.de: Link 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Wooff Posted August 26, 2020 Share Posted August 26, 2020 (edited) About 45 years ago I bought a Treble version of this model in one of those second hand shops that specialize in musical instruments, cameras and sound equipment. Lucky for me the owner knew nothing about old squeeze boxes and I paid £8 for it. It was a lovely thing, completely original, had a really good set of reeds but it was far too quiet for the noisy young man that I was then. I sold it to Steve Dickenson in some trade for repair work. Those fine reeds had Brass frames as does my current 'band' Treble, made just 31 instruments later than the subject of this thread. So, can we assume the reeds in this Baritone are replacements made at the time of the Crabb restoration ? Very interested but I still require a decent growl from my concertinas . Edited August 26, 2020 by Geoff Wooff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conzertino Posted August 26, 2020 Author Share Posted August 26, 2020 Until a couple of weeks ago I had the matching treble pinhole Aeola. I picked it up in Canada and had it restored twice - with seven-fold new bellows ( replacing 4-fold replacements ). I had to give it away to a friend... ( sad ). Now I don't want the barry anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Mellish Posted August 27, 2020 Share Posted August 27, 2020 On 8/26/2020 at 1:17 PM, Geoff Wooff said: About 45 years ago I bought a Treble version of this model in one of those second hand shops that specialize in musical instruments, cameras and sound equipment. Lucky for me the owner knew nothing about old squeeze boxes and I paid £8 for it. It was a lovely thing, completely original, had a really good set of reeds but it was far too quiet for the noisy young man that I was then. I sold it to Steve Dickenson in some trade for repair work. Those fine reeds had Brass frames as does my current 'band' Treble, made just 31 instruments later than the subject of this thread. So, can we assume the reeds in this Baritone are replacements made at the time of the Crabb restoration ? Very interested but I still require a decent growl from my concertinas . The reeds must surely be replacements from some time, most likely the Crabb restoration. Back around 1900, wasn't Aluminium a rare and expensive material? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Wooff Posted August 27, 2020 Share Posted August 27, 2020 (edited) 9 hours ago, Richard Mellish said: The reeds must surely be replacements from some time, most likely the Crabb restoration. Back around 1900, wasn't Aluminium a rare and expensive material? Whilst I can imagine someone might wish to lighten the larger reeds of a baritone by using Aluminium for the frames I also think it unlikely they are original , certainly at that period. It would appear that Wheatstone thinking was in transition during the last years of the 19th century. Prior to about 1890 the English concertina was much as it had been for the previous 40 years, a parlor instrument with wooden ends and baffles. Then along came the Lachenal 'New Model' having some tone chamber and action box modifications that gave it a bolder tone and improved response . I can imagine the designers at Wheatstone having to up their game in the face of fierce competition. Developing the hexagonal Aeola, shoving out the boundaries in two directions , the pin hole is very quiet and the metal ended version really sings out in an uncompromising fashion, an example being Alistair Anderson's 'Boyd' Wheatstone. Edited August 28, 2020 by Geoff Wooff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Acott Posted August 28, 2020 Share Posted August 28, 2020 My 1927 baritone Aeola was made as a lightweight for the lady who ordered it and is the best one I have ever played ,owned or had through my hands and there are several players who have played that would agree with me. I might be interested in making an offer on the plnhole in a week or so ,if it has not been sold by then. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conzertino Posted September 2, 2020 Author Share Posted September 2, 2020 (edited) The instrument has been sold ( through another platform ) and is on it's way to Britain - to the man who deserves it best... Mike, I have an amazing 1926 EE Aeola baritone ( plus a metal ended 48 key baritone plus a 64 key Amboyna and gold-ended one ? Edited September 2, 2020 by conzertino Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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