Wren Concertina (To Buy / UK)

[klaatubarada]

Hi all,

 

A friend of mine is interested in learning the concertina and I was wanting to surprise him with a birthday gift but prices are a tad higher than I'd anticipated. Is anyone selling a Wren 30 button concertina (or something similar)? Or can maybe point me towards a good starter concertina for a new learner?

 

Any pointers and tips are greatly appreciated!

Edited September 28, 2021 by klaatubarada

[gtotani]

Hi, Klaatubarada,

 

I do not mean to spoil your idea, but I think it would be better to let him choose his first concertina. 

Why not give him a tutor book instead of a concertina. 

For instance "Easy Anglo 1-2-3" by Gary Coover is a very good starter book. 

 

Totani

[pentaprism]

I wholeheartedly agree with @Totani.

 

I posted this on the other musical forum:

 

"I threatened my wife that if she bought musical instruments or woodworking tools as surprise gifts to me, I’d buy clothing as surprise gifts to her.

Works great."

[Roger Hare]

5 hours ago, gtotani said:

For instance "Easy Anglo 1-2-3" by Gary Coover is a very good starter book. 

"Absolute Beginners Concertina" by Mick Bramich is also a good starter...

 

You could also buy him a copy of "The Anglo-German Concertina: A Social History"

(2 vols.) by Dan Worrall. Even if he never lays a hand on a concertina, he will have

a damn' good read...😎

 

Buying a low(ish)-end concertina like the Wren sounds a little risky to me...

Edited September 29, 2021 by lachenal74693

[klaatubarada]

Cheers for all the tips! I doubt his budget could stretch further than a Wren, and if that's at the low end of the quality scale, I might recommend he pick a different instrument that's a bit more budget friendly.

Thanks again for the pointers 👍

Edited September 29, 2021 by klaatubarada

[gtotani]

2 hours ago, klaatubarada said:

Cheers for all the tips! I doubt his budget could stretch further than a Wren, and if that's at the low end of the quality scale, I might recommend he pick up something a bit more budget friendly.

Thanks again for the pointers 👍

Perhaps your friend can consider Rochelle by concertina connection.

 

Wren costs 465euros while Rochelle costs 439USD with 5year warranty and full price trade-in for upgrade. Though a bit bulky, I would say it is a reliable starter instrument. Concertina Connection often has pre-owned Rochelle which they check and sell at a lower price. 
 

Totani

[papawemba]

Buy a vintage 20b at Barleycorn ! He will be super happy.

Good luck !

[pentaprism]

I'll take "a vintage 20b at Barleycorn" over a Wren any day. With the former, I'd upgrade to a 30b within a year, and keep the 20b as a second concertina. With the latter, I'd be dying to upgrade within 6 month, and I'd not know what to do with the Wren, and meanwhile, I'd be always wondering whether the mistake was mine or was the concertina's.

Edited September 29, 2021 by pentaprism

[gtotani]

Does Barleycorn sell any vintage 20b at the price of a Wren (or less)? 

[Roger Hare]

8 hours ago, papawemba said:

Buy a vintage 20b at Barleycorn ! He will be super happy.

 

 Absolutement, mon general! As has been pointed out here on several occasions by folks far more

knowledgeable than myself, a 20-button Anglo is very versatile. I started with a vintage 20-button,

and knowing what I know now, I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

7 hours ago, pentaprism said:

I'll take "a vintage 20b at Barleycorn" over a Wren any day. With the former, I'd upgrade to a 30b within a year, and keep the 20b as a second concertina. With the latter, I'd be dying to upgrade within 6 month, and I'd not know what to do with the Wren, and meanwhile, I'd be always wondering whether the mistake was mine or was the concertina's.

 

I know of two folks who've bought a Wren in the last 18 months or so. One of them baled out and

bought a Marcus within about 9 months (not 6). A 'drop-out' rate of 50% is a little too high for my

taste. OK, it's a small sample, but it's still statistically significant.

 

5 hours ago, gtotani said:

Does Barleycorn sell any vintage 20b at the price of a Wren (or less)? 

 

I had a look just now. There are five 20-button Anglos (all C/G, Lachenal or Jones) in the price range

£400-£750. Two of them are £400 - less than a Wren.

 

I bought a cheap concertina in ~1970. It was so bad that I was discouraged and never touched a

concertina for more than 40 years - to my everlasting regret...

 

Edited September 30, 2021 by lachenal74693

[Theo]

On 9/28/2021 at 11:54 PM, gtotani said:

Hi, Klaatubarada,

 

I do not mean to spoil your idea, but I think it would be better to let him choose his first concertina. 

Why not give him a tutor book instead of a concertina. 

For instance "Easy Anglo 1-2-3" by Gary Coover is a very good starter book. 

 

Totani

And there are more kinds of concertina than just anglo.  Your friend might be happier with an English or a Duet.