david robertson Posted October 17, 2023 Share Posted October 17, 2023 (edited) Made in 1931, this is a rare example of an 8-sided Crabb, made even rarer by the amboyna veneers, gold-plated buttons and fittings, and tan leather bellows and straps. It offers a range of four and a half octaves, which includes the bottom end from a tenor-treble, and the top end from an extended treble, and it is every bit as fast and responsive as you would expect of a top-quality vintage Crabb, It has been the subject of a comprehensive restoration, with new pads, valves, bushes and springs. New wrist and thumb-straps have been fitted, the bellows have had a cosmetic re-bind, and the woodwork has been refinished in French polish. Finally, it has, of course, been tuned to Modern Concert Pitch (A=440Hz). On the minus side, the left-hand end has had some slightly agricultural repairs to the fretwork, but it is sound and solid, and I thought it better to leave honest repairs visible than to try to disguise them. (And these imperfections are reflected in the price.) It plays beautifully, and it could well be many years before you see another one like it offered for sale. As always, if you're within striking distance of Norwich, do feel free to come and have a squeeze. And if not, get in touch anyway, and we'll work something out. Price: £3250 Edited October 17, 2023 by david robertson 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoopet Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 Looks absolutely fantastic David! I have no experience of crabb concertinas...how does it play compared to, for example, a good Wheatstone tenor treble aeola please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david robertson Posted October 20, 2023 Author Share Posted October 20, 2023 Curiously, I also have a similar 64-key TT Aeola on the shelf, so I have had the opportunity to compare them side by side. Both are very fast, responsive and balanced across the range. At the top end, the Crabb, to my ear at least, is actually better. But overall, it is hard to tell them apart; the Aeola is perhaps very marginally louder, the Crabb a millitad sweeter in tone. But these matters are, of course, highly subjective... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen DOUGLASS Posted October 20, 2023 Share Posted October 20, 2023 I'd be interested to know if the 8 sided Crabb's reflected a deliberate attempt to produce an instrument with an 'uptick' in quality construction methods (similar to Wheatstone and their approach with the Aeola), or was it more 'cosmetic'? From the photo's, this looks like a 'fine' concertina David. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david robertson Posted October 20, 2023 Author Share Posted October 20, 2023 I'm afraid I can't speak for the Crabb company... but I know a man who can! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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