My new free reeds instruments

[Valentin Nnourdin]

Hello 👋

 

I just bought on auction three beautiful instruments, so I come here to show you and ask some advice.

 

 

We don't see a lot of concertinas for sell here in France so when I saw an auction sale with three concertinas I didn't hesitate for a second !

In the end, I only bought two 'tinas, the last English had missing buttons.

 

On the left is a Lachenal Anglo in G/D, number 176103. Quite good condition, the bellow have been repaired with black tape but it nicely done. The wood is used around main buttons but not cracked.

Some reeds needs a cleaning and maybe tuning, but I already enjoy playing on it.

 

 

 

On the right, a Lachenal English number 35055. There is air leaks, likely on buttons of the right hand rather than on the bellow.

The bellow must be reinforced nevertheless.

It's the first English concertina I met in person so I'm not really able to judge it's condition apart from that.

 

 

And the last one is a nice diatonic Ernest Louis Arnold (ELA) Bandoneon.

It's also the first one I touch, but nobody wanted it and it's really a beautiful instrument. It has every buttons, very few are sticking (probably springs to change) and some notes need tuning.

Restoring this one won't be my priority.

 

 

I bought each concertina 180€ and the bandoneon 64€, it seemed an awesome deal on the moment, is it for you ?

 

I'm interested by restoration but I'm hesitant on such instruments, old and hard to find here.

Any thought about this, mainly reeds cleaning, should I try or is it best to go see an expert (hard to find in France too) ?

 

Thanks,

Valentin

 👋

[Leah Velleman]

The Concertina Maintenance Manual, which you can order from McNeela, has a nice table listing different reed problems and their likely causes.

 

If it's dirt or hair or a stuck valve, and you have average steady hands, you can do it yourself with no particular training -- just follow the book's instructions slowly and carefully.

 

Tuning is much harder. Some people teach themselves to do it, but it really is a special skill.

[SIMON GABRIELOW]

I think they look lovely to look at as they are myself.

However, you may find there is a lot if hidden technical issues with them, with them being of an age. However  I hope you can get them fixed

Even modern ones can have technical issues cone up by constant use anyway.

[Fanie]

Congratulations, that is a great find.

[David Barnert]

I can’t help noticing the two vertical concertina cases. Concertinas stored on end like that often develop valve problems because gravity is pulling the valves on the lower surfaces of both reed pans away from their natural positions. Modern concertina cases hold their instruments in a horizontal orientation.

[Mike Franch]

10 hours ago, David Barnert said:

I can’t help noticing the two vertical concertina cases. Concertinas stored on end like that often develop valve problems because gravity is pulling the valves on the lower surfaces of both reed pans away from their natural positions. Modern concertina cases hold their instruments in a horizontal orientation.

David is absolutely correct. You can correct for this by keeping these cases on their side--making sure that they won't roll! You might want to get modern cases for these, or some alternative that will keep your concertinas from having the problem David describes. I use a well-padded camera bag.

[mChavez]

Congrats!

 

The bando is looking good, especially at that price(!!!). The sticking buttons are most likely caused by the wooden action keys expanding & jamming in their slots and are most likely an easy fix.

 

Enjoy bringing them back to life!