helmbelly Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 I just took delivery of my first Concertina yesterday - got a $95 gem, very pretty sound and seems unused. I'm new to the instrument and found the metal pinkie rest a little 'sub optimal'. It's hard edged while it serves as a rest it is pretty restrictive. First thought is to make something softer from a heavy leather. Before going ahead I wanted to ask if this is something thats already been discussed or even realized and available for $10 somewhere 😉 I would just remove the 2 screws make a thin brass or delrin adaptor that screws back into the same sockets and creates a singe large pivot hole in the center that I can attach a leather ring to, like the upper ring for the thumb. Making it oversized would allow the finger to slip in unrestricted so it serves the present job but is much softer and will pivot to support everyones odd styles and reaching some of those close buttons that really require a scramble to get to fast I'm a small tool machinist, mostly with prototyping camera accessories so I'm tooled up to work in this scale space. any thoughts before I dig in? I just bought a lovely hide of 10 gauge veggie tanned cowhide that will answer splendidly. Caleb New Orleans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_holden Posted January 21, 2023 Share Posted January 21, 2023 The better quality rests have a rolled edge that helps you grip it. Occasionally they are lined with thin leather. I believe Wheatstone originally intended that you would put both third and fourth fingers on the rest, and only push buttons with the first two. Most players today grip the rest with their pinky and play with three fingers, while some advanced players ignore or remove the rests and use all four fingers. Henrik Müller's modifications take that a few steps further and replace both thumb straps and finger rests with a diagonal hand rest and hand strap. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wunks Posted January 21, 2023 Share Posted January 21, 2023 The idea of using a strap and suicide knob ( lover's wheel spinner ) keeps popping into my head! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helmbelly Posted January 21, 2023 Author Share Posted January 21, 2023 Alex, Hmm, At first reading I thought you meant a rolled edge outward to lessen the bite into the finger but now I'm starting to see a rolled edge inward so the tip of finger could gain some purchase to grip the rest and latch ahold? I could make an edge with a couple 1.6mm screws fastening a brass cleat with a relieved edge. This is blowing my mind! Great suggestion! thank you kind sir tho I'm not sure I understand it, it's leading somewhere good! 😉 I think what's stuck in my head is a vague visual memory of a sailors leather lashing for a pair of pulleys - allowing them to change angles to get a 'fairlead', but held firmly. I def need to spend the next week playing the EC before trying to change it. 😉 Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helmbelly Posted January 21, 2023 Author Share Posted January 21, 2023 Wunks, A lovers wheel spinner - wow I had to google that! Based on whatever screwball image I took away from a suicide knob lovers wheel (!) I took two rolls of athletic tape 1.5" diameter, 1" high and just put them under my palms and pushed buttons. It's nice. And I never thunk I would pine for a suicide knob lovers wheel ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_holden Posted January 21, 2023 Share Posted January 21, 2023 I happen to have a Lachenal one here: Looking more closely at it, what I initially thought was a rolled edge is actually a piece of silver(?) wire, about 1.8mm diameter, silver soldered along the inside edge. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wunks Posted January 21, 2023 Share Posted January 21, 2023 1 hour ago, helmbelly said: Wunks, A lovers wheel spinner - wow I had to google that! Based on whatever screwball image I took away from a suicide knob lovers wheel (!) I took two rolls of athletic tape 1.5" diameter, 1" high and just put them under my palms and pushed buttons. It's nice. And I never thunk I would pine for a suicide knob lovers wheel ! A required accessory for your '57 Chebby. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helmbelly Posted January 21, 2023 Author Share Posted January 21, 2023 (edited) Alex, Ha! I would not have thought of doing it that way, so brilliant. So it is the rounded down method for supplying lift. And it being wire offers a better edge to grasp. Better than a relieved rail I'd guess. Soldering or maybe brazing on that scale is a skill I don't yet have. I bought a special butane "chef's torch" for that kind of thing- I'll have to visit the googledom to get a method and the right wire. Thanks for those photos- So helpful Edited January 21, 2023 by helmbelly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helmbelly Posted January 21, 2023 Author Share Posted January 21, 2023 57 Chebby, now I got you! ha ok. It's actually a good idea - I'm either going to turn this new EC I got into Frankentina or buy a parts EC cheap. Maybe for ergonomic stuff just make a mock up out of my wood bin and glue some dowel ends on for buttons. I'll post a photo for laughs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Pierceall Posted August 26, 2023 Share Posted August 26, 2023 Lachenals I've owned had a rolled edge on the finger rest, however, the edge abraded my finger and I ended up filling the recess with a strip of leather. I use all four fingers on both hands to play. The finger rest is "home base." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Gehring Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 I've been playing an English 48 for years and have come to the conclusion that these things are intentionally made to be unplayable. Between the the thumb strap, the pinkie rest, the wrist straps ( to prevent yet another bout of tendinitis,) and the missing support for the heal of both hands its like trying to play the piano with both hands strapped down to the keyboard. Make me wanna holler......throw up both my hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now