Wanted - Wheatstone Model 22 - Or equivalent?

[Dieppe]

It's been a while since I posted here. So for the past few years I've been playing "professionally". (That is I play for money... even if, uh, not very much.) 

 

Lately I've been using my Stagi, that is louder than my Wheatstone treble and Wheatstone baritone. Also, I didn't have qualms about drilling a hole in it to install a pickup on each side. (Had to very carefully find the place to drill, and it works great if a bit sensitive.)

 

Recently I heard a friend's Wheatstone Model 22, and the volume and crispness was just amazing. So now I'm on a quest to find one. (Or a recommended equivalent?) Honestly I like the original Wheatstone concertinas though, because there's something about playing history.

 

So, if anyone has an idea of one that might be on the market, or go on the market, or anything out there. Please drop me a line!

 

Patrick 

 

Edited July 19, 2024 by Dieppe

[Wolf Molkentin]

go for one, they can be perfectly up to the task - good luck!

[Geoff Wooff]

Why  not  have  a look  at  Chris Algar's  selection   at  Barleycorn  concertinas.  I  would  buy  the  early  model  22  that  he  offers  ,  serial  number  22945,  if  I  did  not  already  have  one.  I  find  these  turn of  the  century  models  have  a  shallow 'Flat'  reedpan  and  parallel  reed tongues... the  effect  is  a tone  more like  an  Anglo.  Perfect  for  sessions  and  band  performances.

[Dieppe]

Thanks, I'll take a look! 

[conzertino]

In fact, I'm more into later model 2s, particularly 31xxx models. All older ones have only 5 folds, which just isn't for chord-playing... I had several of them, but always preferred a good Aeola... 

[4to5to6]

I just sold my model 22 locally about 2 months ago.  It was my first really good concertina and an amazing unique instrument.  It was super loud with short fast action.  Not shrill or harsh and still fairly good dynamics but unbelievably loud.  It was hard to let it go but I can't keep them all.  I never could fully understand why this model is so loud and fast but know they were designed this way.

 

1922 price list description:

22.  Best nickel-plate Raised Ends, spherical end silver keys and finger plates to match, best steel vibrators, Morocco leather five-fold bellows, keys and tops bushed, new improved action, short touch and rapid articulation.  Powerful tone 17-0-0  ( An Aeola treble was 18-0-0)

 

Wh-Pricelist-Eng-c1920.pdf (concertina.com)

 

I highly recommend the Wheatstone model 22.

.

Edited August 6, 2024 by 4to5to6