Sandra A Posted August 21, 2023 Author Share Posted August 21, 2023 43 minutes ago, David Barnert said: If there is no obvious problem seen in the action (levers, pads, etc.), then air is traveling between two adjacent reed chambers that should be airtight except for the reeds and the hole that the pad covers. Hmmm...I don't know at this time, I think it is only one reed playing all of the time now. This makes me think I should go ahead and get a really good top notch 30 button that is new and has no problems but I still want to fix this, not only to make it work but to have the knowledge of what is wrong and how to fix it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIMON GABRIELOW Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 Whatever you decide to do you have certainly learned a lot about concertinas by bravely attempting to service it by yourself; which for a beginner is commendable. You may find purchasing a working one will allow you to begin to play it, straight away, rather than worry over the mechanics after all? You may still get a few teething problems with new ones also, but they should work there way out with use. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra A Posted August 21, 2023 Author Share Posted August 21, 2023 45 minutes ago, SIMON GABRIELOW said: You may find purchasing a working one will allow you to begin to play it, straight away I am seriously leaning toward doing this. I think I want a Marcus but the wait time is a drawback. Maybe Tedrow? I've had read though that the buttons may be a little farther apart and I don't have big hands and need something with the buttons close to one another. Not sure, there are so many to choose from but I want one that will last for years without me having to work on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIMON GABRIELOW Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 (edited) Every one will have their own recommendations, for you; I have only ever owned two concertinas.. that 20 key one ( GDR made)and then my current Hohner branded Anglo 30 button) made in Italy. So, I haven't shopped around for others for many years actually. I still get technical issues with my one ( with years of use).. but used nearly every day of year it hasn't done badly overall. Watch out for those " too cheap deals".. online, etc.. Others here will have their own favourites too..🌝 Edited August 21, 2023 by SIMON GABRIELOW Daft mini phone keypad! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra A Posted August 21, 2023 Author Share Posted August 21, 2023 This is what I have learned today...when you buy another one to use for parts ($21.00, so not out much), be aware that even though they look the same size and measure the same size bellows will not fit onto a different 'tina. I tried that with the first one Scholer 'tina I got and decided to put the bellows of the one for parts on it since they are good, but nope, that didn't go as planned. The one for parts had some buttons missing but I thought I can hang on to those to have in case I ever needed some. Another nope. They are all different sizes, height and width. Their rows that hold the reeds are laid out differently too. I am certainly learning more than I anticipated with these things. I did receive more leather valves today and will continue working on the one I have been trying to fix for the last few days. I have not been able to figure this out yet but I will in time. For those of you who decide to try and fix yours yourself maybe some of this will help you. So many of you have offered suggestions as to what the problems may be and I truly appreciate it and will continue on trying those. In the meantime, if I can't get this fixed, I am going to get a brand new quality one. Not meantime, I am going to get one anyway, at least a 30 button, maybe something with a little more so I can learn to do more. I have to research them some more but am leaning toward a Marcus. The only downside to those is the wait time. Perhaps I will find something to my liking soon since I really want to learn to play it not work on them all of the time. If they are anything like artist materials (painting, drawing etc.) then the best you can afford is the way to go because it is actually easier if you have good tools (concertina). What do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIMON GABRIELOW Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 (edited) I think you should go with your instincts on this; you have learned a lot from trial and error, already, and they do come in different sizes ( buttons bits and pieces etc)... Here will be different views and advice for you; you can pay a lot of money for a concertina, or less, and opinions different as to which is best. I do not have the very top range, but it has stood me in good stead over couple of decades now, ..mine was nearly 300 ( British pounds) cost back in 1999.. and they are more now if you find them second hand online. Mine is a moden produced steel reeded instrument ( which I prefer).. But that is these days very little cost for one, as they can run into thousands for antique ones! As someone who mainly does visual artwork most of time, it is true to use best materials you can, but also I am aware that you can also achieve a great deal with less expensive gear, and produce worthy results! ..For example, a lead pencil, can make a masterpiece as well as a complete paint pallette( but that is a different matter. You the musician will produce result with what you have at hand, and expensive does not make an artist it is the persona of the one behind the art that truly creates the artistic work. Edited August 21, 2023 by SIMON GABRIELOW 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_holden Posted August 22, 2023 Share Posted August 22, 2023 I wouldn't rule out getting a good vintage Lachenal or similar that has been recently serviced and warranted by a reputable concertina dealer (I would be a little wary of less specialist music shops and avoid random eBay sellers). Perhaps give Bob Tedrow or Greg Jowaisas a message to see if they have anything in stock that might suit your budget. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf Molkentin Posted August 22, 2023 Share Posted August 22, 2023 7 minutes ago, alex_holden said: I wouldn't rule out getting a good vintage Lachenal or similar that has been recently serviced and warranted by a reputable concertina dealer (I would be a little wary of less specialist music shops and avoid random eBay sellers). Perhaps give Bob Tedrow or Greg Jowaisas a message to see if they have anything in stock that might suit your budget. You beat me to at, Alex - I strongly second this suggestion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Mellish Posted August 23, 2023 Share Posted August 23, 2023 I'm not clear now about the exact symptom. If you push or pull the bellows (gently) without pressing any button, does one note sound? Or does it only sound when you press the button for one of the other notes, so that you hear both? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra A Posted August 25, 2023 Author Share Posted August 25, 2023 On 8/23/2023 at 5:05 PM, Richard Mellish said: If you push or pull the bellows (gently) without pressing any button, does one note sound? Yes! That is exactly what it is doing. It also sounds when any other button is pressed too. Do you have any ideas of what I can try to fix it? I am at a loss. Even though I have purchased a wonderful, beautiful new Tedrow, I will continue to mess around with this one until it arrives. I would like to make it work if I can. It is a 20 button and I want to be able to get it playable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Barnert Posted August 25, 2023 Share Posted August 25, 2023 If you’re not pressing any buttons, no air should pass through the action board (the surface with holes covered by levered pads. If a note is sounding, then air IS passing through it, and the note that is sounding will tell you which hole it is passing through. If air is passing through a particular hole when the button is not being pressed, the pad must not be completely (or firmly) covering the hole. Have a look. Can you see anything amiss? Is the spring weak? Is there another opening near that hole that air might be passing through? Gently wipe off the surface of the pad and the rim of the hole in case there’s debris there that you can’t see. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra A Posted August 25, 2023 Author Share Posted August 25, 2023 36 minutes ago, David Barnert said: Gently wipe off the surface of the pad and the rim of the hole in case there’s debris there that you can’t see. I will try that tomorrow or this weekend. The pads look good and they look like they are sealed but I haven't done that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf Molkentin Posted August 25, 2023 Share Posted August 25, 2023 another idea: since the instrument is not of vintage built, there may be a problem with the sealing of the particular reed block Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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