rcr27 Posted May 24 Share Posted May 24 (edited) This is a very rare Wheatstone Maccann duet, 79 buttons (correct me if I miscounted) with raised metal ends. Not sure if it can be considered an “Aeola” but it is an 8-sided one, possibly one of the earliest Maccann duets of this size (serial number 24303). The lowest note is C2 and the highest is B6. It is being sold for restoration, it is hardly playable as it is right now, though the bellows themselves are in good condition. It has had a tough life, the photos speak for themselves. It would need a new action board as the original ones have been replaced with metal boards at some point. Could do with new frames too while we’re there… The rest of the components are there, including the aluminium-framed reeds (steel). The raised metal ends are not in bad condition. The left reed pan needs new gasket. It could be used as a source of spares, though given its rarity it’d be sad not to restore and bring it back to fully working order. It would have been a top-notch beast when it left the factory some 120 years ago. Unfortunately this would be quite an expensive job, hence I’m selling it (plus I’m not a duet player), but I’m sure someone will be willing to invest the necessary. Price is £600 + shipping. I’m located in South Yorkshire (UK) currently. I could consider a trade in for an steel-reeded english concertina. More photos available on private message. Thanks. Edited September 26 by rcr27 Deposit made 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf Molkentin Posted May 24 Share Posted May 24 would please someone take on the task…! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcr27 Posted May 24 Author Share Posted May 24 (edited) (not sold yet) Edited May 26 by rcr27 Offer retracted 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Chambers Posted May 25 Share Posted May 25 (edited) Hmmm, "state of the art" in 1906, and reminiscent of the "stretched-hexagonal" shape Lachenal New Model ones that you'll see in old photos of Percy Honri. John Hill Maccann's/Lachenal's Duet Patent had only expired 8 years previously (allowing Wheatstone's and others to make them), whilst (weight-saving) aluminium reed frames were being pioneered at Lachenal's by 1894... What a beauty! Edited May 27 by Stephen Chambers Edited to add photo 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcr27 Posted May 25 Author Share Posted May 25 Extra photos of the right action board 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcoover Posted May 25 Share Posted May 25 (edited) Any chance those metal action boards are original? Looks like they braced the reed pan, and since you can't brace the action board, maybe they tried aluminum to prevent warpage. "Hardly playable", but it looks like all the bits and pieces are there - what is it lacking? Gary Edited May 25 by gcoover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcr27 Posted May 25 Author Share Posted May 25 4 minutes ago, gcoover said: Any chance those metal action boards are original? I don’t rule it out but I doubt Wheatstone would’ve let something like this leave the factory (see photo attached of the closed bellows), but then again it’s extremely rare having to replace two entire action boards…. 10 minutes ago, gcoover said: "Hardly playable", but it looks like all the bits and pieces are there - what is it lacking? Yeah I think I’ve been too harsh there. I had a look a it again and few buttons tend to get stuck, but they eventually release out. That’s about it really! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf Molkentin Posted May 25 Share Posted May 25 33 minutes ago, rcr27 said: I don’t rule it out but I doubt Wheatstone would’ve let something like this leave the factory (see photo attached of the closed bellows), but then again it’s extremely rare having to replace two entire action boards…. Yeah I think I’ve been too harsh there. I had a look a it again and few buttons tend to get stuck, but they eventually release out. That’s about it really! looks like you’re right - it still might be original in the sense of a private completion of an instrument not having been finished by Wheatstone themselves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Chambers Posted May 25 Share Posted May 25 (edited) 3 hours ago, rcr27 said: Extra photos of the right action board Aluminium levers too, they really were trying to make it as lightweight as possible' But, studying this photo enlarged, I'm sure the aluminium pallet board is a replacement (though they're commonly used in accordions). You can see the glue line running around the wooden frame, where the board would have originally glued into its rebate, and the pads have all been reglued because of the changed geometry. Edited May 25 by Stephen Chambers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcr27 Posted May 26 Author Share Posted May 26 This is still available. The highest note on the left side is C5, and the lowest on the right side is F3. It is around modern pitch (A440), but out of tune of course, within the range of -5 to +20 cents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luli Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 . It would need a new action board as the original ones have been replaced with metal boards at some point. Is there anything wrong with the mental board? Does that mean this substitution is wrong? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luli Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 excuse me,could you please upload some film about this concertina when he was healthy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcr27 Posted June 23 Author Share Posted June 23 24 minutes ago, luli said: Is there anything wrong with the mental board? Does that mean this substitution is wrong? It’s just not right. 22 minutes ago, luli said: excuse me,could you please upload some film about this concertina when he was healthy Sorry I don’t understand what you mean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saguaro_squeezer Posted July 1 Share Posted July 1 What are its dimensions? Any chance there’s a case? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcr27 Posted July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 1 hour ago, saguaro_squeezer said: What are its dimensions? Any chance there’s a case? 30 x 27 cm (height x length). With the bellows closed it has a width of 16 cm from one end to the others. No case I’m afraid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcr27 Posted July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 This is temporarily on hold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luli Posted July 7 Share Posted July 7 Please contact me if you wish to sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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