Keep? Trade? Upgrade? Wheatstone 22 and 55B crane.

[seanc]

So,

 I need a bit of advice. CAS seems to have caught up with me. I am now up to 4. (I know, many of you here will call that, "An anemic start" or "decent for  first effort").

 

Currently have:

Wheatstone TT Aeola 55b EC

Wheatstone 22 (48b English)

Lachenal 55b New model Crane

Wheatstone 57b Maccan.

 

I have been focusing on English and Crane. Since I bought the Aeola. I have not touched the 22. The Aeola has been problem free. So, I am seeing less need for a back up.

The Crane , is beautiful and sounds great. But it no where near as light, fast responsive and fast as the ECs.  The Maccan, I just have not gotten around to fiddling with.

 

Around here Cranes seem to be pretty uncommon. Would the wisdom of the crowd be to just be happy with what I have? Trade the 22 for a Crane? Trade the 22 And New Model for One bigger, better or faster Crane? 

 

Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

 

 

 

 

[Paul Hurst]

It may depend on what music you want to play. I prefer an Anglo for dance music, the English (48) for accompanying a quiet singer and for portability and speed in sessions . Currently learning a Crane duet (51) which I love, and intend to play whenever possible. By far my favourite of the three. 

 

[alex_holden]

14 minutes ago, Paul Hurst said:

It may depend on what music you want to play. I prefer an Anglo for dance music, the English (48) for accompanying a quiet singer and for portability and speed in sessions . Currently learning a Crane duet (51) which I love, and intend to play whenever possible. By far my favourite of the three. 

 

 

Is it the Crane keyboard that you particularly like, or something about the playability/sound of your individual instrument?

[Paul Hurst]

Both, Alex, I love that, like my English, the keys are laid out in a logical pattern - even better with each end being self-contained. 51 keys is enough for me to have an octave overlap, allowing for me to play silly beggars in some tunes with exactly the same notes each side - and playing an octave apart is easy, just flip the fingering pattern.

I lucked into this instrument by accident after flooding all the places I could think of with requests for a top-end Crane and expected to have a long wait until a suitable Aeola or Edeophone came up. Instead, I was contacted by someone who decided to sell me his one, as he had a new, smaller one coming -     https://crane.concertina.org/details.php?indexnum=40

Playing it out at the moment with two Anglo players, busking with a set of carols to raise money for charity and will start working it into sessions and gigs gradually next year. Had for about a year, but work got in the way.

For me, 51 keys turned out to be ideal, so a 55 would have be good, but a 48 somewhat restrictive. I had a huge one back in the 80's for a bit, wouldn't go down that path again - too heavy and bulky. 

A friend who is a brilliant Anglo player, having tried my Crane said if he had his time again that is what he would buy, and stick with it. I agree.

 

Sorry for being a bit slow, I've just realised that I have my Crane due to you making John his new one - cheers!

 

Edited December 12, 2022 by Paul Hurst
Sudden flash of realisation

[seanc]

I think I'd be fine with the 55 buttons i have.. Just thinking of something a bit faster.

 

And I agree. Something about the Crane lay out just seems to click with me too.

 

 

Edited December 12, 2022 by seanc

[Paul Hurst]

Perhaps worth chatting with Alex above? Yes, the 48b Aeolas are great for speed, but lovely as it is there is no way I would keep mine in preference to the Crane, or my Anglos. Of course, I play mainly English and French traditional music at a slower pace than an Irish session at full steam so YMMV, horses for courses, etc. Good luck with your search.

[seanc]

The Aeola is  55 TT and that is definitely a keeper.

 

The possible trade items are a 48b Wheatstone 22. and potentially the 55b Lachenal Crane.

 

[Paul Hurst]

Sounds like an option, hope it all comes together for you.