Help/query On Lachenal Concertina

[UKHABU]

Hello

I wonder if anyone can help me - although I am a musician I specialise in Mandolins, Mandolas & Citterns etc and know next to nothing about Concertinas.

 

I have just been given a concertina that has the makers name of Lachenal.

It has 10 buttons on each end plus an additional (Air?) button.

It has a serial number of 64515 on the opposite end to the makers name.

A stamp and examination indicate steel reeds set on brass blocks.

 

Is it what is referred to as a 20 key Anglo Concertina?

 

The 6 sided ends are made of Mahogany/Satinwood?

Leather 5 fold bellows with green/gold star paper pattern.

It has what I assume is the original

I can date old Mandolins pretty accurately but have no idea on this - are there resources to date this instrument?

 

I do a fair bit of stringed instrument repair and so after a quick tour of the internet for advice (from a Concertina.net advertiser) I carefully removed one end cheek - it has what has been described as the Lachenal hook and spring action with brass levers.

 

I am assuming that all the air holes next to the reeds should have a leather valve?

Two are missing and I assume this accounts for 1/2 notes sounding whether the key is pressed or not?

 

The pads are cardboard with a sandwich of leather and felt - I suspect they are in poor condition/compressed - some have come detached and I have temporarily re-glued.

 

I have seen some replacement pads but they have soft leather on the surface that presses against the hole - whereas my box has felt against the hole - can I replace them with the leather version or do I need felt and if so any idea of a source?

 

I am wondering if this instrument is actually worth professional restoration - it appears in basically good condition other than pads _ I'm not sure if it is in tune hence my query on the pads/valves.

 

Many thanks for your help.

[Stephen Chambers]

I have just been given a concertina that has the makers name of Lachenal.

It has 10 buttons on each end plus an additional (Air?) button.

It has a serial number of 64515 on the opposite end to the makers name.

A stamp and examination indicate steel reeds set on brass blocks.

 

The 6 sided ends are made of Mahogany/Satinwood?

Leather 5 fold bellows with green/gold star paper pattern.

 

Is it what is referred to as a 20 key Anglo Concertina?

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From what you have said, it sounds very much like a 20-key Anglo of a common, and relatively inexpensive model with mahogany ends. Does it play a different note on press and draw (push/pull) ?

 

 

... are there resources to date this instrument?

Yes, here on the Concertina.net website, though the article is awaiting revision.

 

 

I am assuming that all the air holes next to the reeds should have a leather valve?

No, the high notes should not have valves on them.

 

 

Two are missing and I assume this accounts for 1/2 notes sounding whether the key is pressed or not?

No, that is probably caused by leaky pads.

 

 

The pads are cardboard with a sandwich of leather and felt - I suspect they are in poor condition/compressed - some have come detached and I have temporarily re-glued.

 

I have seen some replacement pads but they have soft leather on the surface that presses against the hole - whereas my box has felt against the hole - can I replace them with the leather version or do I need felt and if so any idea of a source?

The pads should be faced with leather, and it sounds very much as though they all need replacing.

 

 

I am wondering if this instrument is actually worth professional restoration - it appears in basically good condition other than pads _ I'm not sure if it is in tune hence my query on the pads/valves.

It is not the most desireable, or valuable of concertinas, and it is inevitable that it will need tuning.