Looking for next step concertina (C/G Anglo)

[nultylynch]

Hi, my daughter currently plays a 30 button C/G Lachenal (metal ends). It has one of the best tones we've heard...but she has outgrown the action. So, we're looking for a faster concertina for her. My wife and I are both school teachers, so we'd love to find a deal, but we do understand that this is an expensive instrument.

Here's the non-negotiables on it:

1. Anglo
2. 30 button (minimum, but not much more)
3. Concertina reeds
4. riveted action
5. modern maker (Suttner, 7mount, Kensington, Dipper, Carroll, Edgely Heritage, etc...probably not Irish Concertina Company unless there's a great deal)
6. Jefferies layout (modified Jefferies, like the Kensington layout, are fine...want that C# on the push and pull)

Here's the preferences:

1. metal ends
2. metal buttons
3. US East Coast (there are a couple brands that we might by sight unseen, but obviously it would be better if she could try either by travelling or the ability to return)

 

Thanks for looking. Even if you don't have one for sale, but know of someone who might, please either let me know or let them know. My daughter has really transitioned into a concertina player, not just a kid who plays concertina. After a couple years of really hard work, she's qualified for the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (U15).

[Oberon]

Dana posted a little bit ago that he's closing his books on new orders and will be no longer be making Kensington Concertinas one his current list is finished. His work is brilliant and the concertina world will be poorer for his absence, but he most certainly deserves his rest, he's definitely earned it. 

So, alas, the only way to gain a Kensington now is via second hand. I will always highly recommend his boxes and suggest you try to aquire one but they don't pop up often 

 

Carroll has also closed his books this past year, so again that's a second hand option. 

Ralph at 7mount isn't taking new orders either to my knowledge. 

 

Edgley has a new model available now by the way. It's called the 'New Model' and has even more improvements over the heritage. I'd say it's worth shooting him an email on the subject and it sounds fascinating, though I haven't seen photos so I can't quite tell what the major differences look like.

 

I'd check the concertinas for sale group on Facebook as well, and keep an eye on the session.org from time to time. There's a fair number of us east coast players so I'm sure someone will have something for you 

[RogerT]

It might be worth getting the action on your Lachenal checked…and also work out what is not right about it (while you go a looking for that ideal 'tina…my advice…try first, so attend events where you can do this). My Lachenal 32 was truly awful…had terrible action …but I have made it pretty fast and playable with a *lot* of work…like bushing, adjusting spring tension, lowering buttons, fix spongy feel by sorting any tiny air leaks,  checking valve behaviour, checking and fixing reed response…that sort of thing. It can make a lot of difference to its playability.

[nultylynch]

We've already done that with the Lachenal with Greg Jowaisas. It's time for the next step up for her.