Sherwood Flynn v McNeela Phoenix

[Willie murphy]

Hi folks ,i am looking to upgrade a little. I know the best answer is to go for a "real" concertina, but could anyone advise between a McNela Pheonix or Sherwood Flynn,  ones in my price range at present, currently playing a sherwood kirklees. Any advice appreciated from a very novice player.Thank you.willie

Edited July 17, 2024 by Willie murphy
Spelling error

[fred v]

Just looking at the Phoenix video I like the way it is made. The buttons are guided top and bottom rather than being hinged to the levers as in cheaper instruments. The Flynn doesn't provide any info on construction so I suppose it is not made as nicely.

[Tiposx]

Dave Elliott wrote a pretty positive of the Sherwood Marion a while back. I don’t know if there are similarities with the Flynn.

Dave knows his stuff.

 

[Willie murphy]

41 minutes ago, Tiposx said:

Dave Elliott wrote a pretty positive of the Sherwood Marion a while back. I don’t know if there are similarities with the Flynn.

Dave knows his stuff.

 

Many thanks Dave

[Willie murphy]

42 minutes ago, Tiposx said:

Dave Elliott wrote a pretty positive of the Sherwood Marion a while back. I don’t know if there are similarities with the Flynn.

Dave knows his stuff.

 

Really useful ,thank you.

[PaulDa321]

It seems like the Phoenix has similar models from the same Chinese factory from other brands (ICC has the Raven and Trinity College has one as well). Not sure about the Flynn, which has metal buttons and says “leather cornered and finished bellows.”  I had a Phoenix for a month and the best part was those fantastic soft Delrin buttons. The Raven’s buttons felt a bit different from them. The Phoenix was super lightweight and compact, but it had a leak in the bellows corner and it put me off, so I sent it back and bought a secondhand Clare. 

[Willie murphy]

In the end I purchased a Sherwood Marion,  delighted with it. Thanks for all your replies.