Notemaker Posted December 3, 2020 Share Posted December 3, 2020 It is a year and a week since on Ebay I won the auction for my Tina. There have been many, many surprises since. During the auction nobody knew which kind of Crabb was on offer. Nor, until I received it from USPS, did I. First surprise it turned out to be a C/G Anglo with a broken air valve, a few small leaks, but with fair springs, faded leather valve tongues, and a couple of off tune reeds. All of which expertly repaired by Greg Jowaisas, he is here on Cocertina.net, and in fine playing order when I got it back last spring. From the very start I noticed a lovely scent coming from the bellows when cycled, but imagined it would in time fade away. Well it has not. And appears to be as strong as ever when I am carefully practicing, yet if I hurry, it goes away. My last surprise happened by accident while I attempt to make a 'cut' on a note from a Celtic tune, found in a Book. My Tina began to 'chirp', I know that is not unusual among expert players but I, a mere beginner, am anything but! I have heard people say that the Concertina is loud, but hey, this one is as sweet. I find it most fills a room with a grand aroma when I am doodling with Morris tunes and chording, a bit like I would on a Harmonica. Really, I am not playing bass parts there, more like the odd chord in spots where I think it nicer. Lately I wonder if ,in a good sort of way, there is such a thing as 'haunting' of such things? Maybe the last owner - my Tina came from an estate sale - is hanging around a deserving loved box, and sends aromas when its Tina is being good? Hope you enjoyed my report, and have a wonderful Holiday Season. Notemaker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pistachio Dreamer Posted December 3, 2020 Share Posted December 3, 2020 Hi Notemaker, I love the idea that instruments are somehow living and breathing, with their own characters, especially apt for concertinas. My Crabb that I have just sold was from the late 40s, and it also had what I would describe as a sweet musty scent, which I put down to the old leather on the bellows. I can't remember it being strong enough to fill the room though, or if it improved depending on how well I played! I wonder if this is a function of the type of leather they were using in the post-war period, as the older Lachenals I have owned certainly don't smell as nice! Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Madge Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 Is it a scent of nutmeg by any chance? I was told that some concertina owners kept a nutmeg in their concertina cases in the belief that it would help the bellows remain supple. When I bought my 40 button wheatstone C/G it had a nutmeg in the case. Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makeitfolky Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 When I bought my 1971 Wheatstone Anglo about 12 years ago (off ebay) it had a very very strong lemony scent. I don't know if it had been polished with something but it wasn't in particularly good shape. It took a good few years to fade, and even these years on, I will occasionally detect the scent again when playing. It's quite odd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Thorne Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 On 2/16/2021 at 4:03 PM, makeitfolky said: When I bought my 1971 Wheatstone Anglo about 12 years ago (off ebay) it had a very very strong lemony scent. I don't know if it had been polished with something but it wasn't in particularly good shape. It took a good few years to fade, and even these years on, I will occasionally detect the scent again when playing. It's quite odd. Lemon oil? - as used on guitar fretboards? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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