Wheatstone Aeola project - will be completed in 2025

[Jake Middleton-Metcalfe]

During 2025, in collaboration with Steve Dickinson who owns C.Wheatstone and Co. I will make a 48 key treble Wheatstone Aeola. It will be made with amboyna raised ends, gold plated metal keys and fittings. This will become available to purchase once complete. Anyone is welcome to contact me to register their interest in advance and I will keep them updated.

 

This instrument will be made in the conventional manner, and to the design currently used at C.Wheatstone and Co. It will be made largely using the original equipment. It will be branded as a Wheatstone instrument but with “J. Middleton-Metcalfe Maker” on the label.

 

At this time this is an isolated project and I am not taking orders for Wheatstone concertinas, though in the future that may change.

 

A bit of background information:

 

Over a number of years I have been taught by Steve Dickinson, in the Wheatstone workshop in what could be described as an ongoing informal apprenticeship. We have gone through the conventional practices for every component in a Wheatstone concertina as were and are practiced at C.Wheatstone and Co.

Many of these learned working practices have been applied to what I make at Wolverton Concertinas and now the time has come to make a Wheatstone concertina.

 

Updates on the project will be posted here:

https://wolvertonconcertinas.com/wheatstone-aeola-project-available-in-2025/

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mike Acott]

This is the best news  for your association with Steve and I wish you every success in this project.

Regards. Mike

[Alex West]

Good to hear this Jake.  I echo Mike's thoughts and look forward to seeing the finished concertina

 

Alex West

[SteveS]

This is great news for the continuation of the Wheatstone brand - looking forward to seeing your Wheatstone concertina.

[Dan Worrall]

Great news; so nice to see that storied brand continue. Hoping to see a new Wheatstone Anglo some day!

[4to5to6]

Wow!  Is this like a Sid Watkins -> Steve Dickinson -> Jake Middleton-Metcalfe kind of thing?

 

Steve is so amazing and knowledgeable.  I’ve learned do much from him myself… thread pitch for a concertina bolt, why only chambers on the inside, chamber harmonic dampening, tuning, reed profiles, reed scaling, button height, wood selection… more and more and more.  What a privilege it would be to work close with him like this!

 

All the best!

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Edited September 6, 2024 by 4to5to6

[Jake Middleton-Metcalfe]

6 hours ago, 4to5to6 said:

Wow!  Is this like a Sid Watkins -> Steve Dickinson -> Jake Middleton-Metcalfe kind of thing?

 

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In terms of the transfer of knowledge yes, that is the timeline of it. 

 

I must point out though that Steve is still working and very much in control of C.Wheatstone and Co. It is great to work with and learn from him. 

 

Its nice to see in your avatar, an Aeola that looks somewhat similar to what the finished Aeola I am working on will look like!

 

[4to5to6]

Thank you.  I am extremely priveledged and constantly feel honored to have a 31xxx 1926 Amboyna, gold fittings TT Aeola under my care. It took me 10 years to find such an instrument and have had it for about a year now. It is in near mint condition with only some minor honest playing wear, clean inside and out and never abused.  In all the reed scale studies I have done on various Whearstone tenor trebles, this one is as close to perfect as they come.  The reed gap clearance workmanship and scaling curve design are near perfect.  It was already restored when Steve got it a few years ago but he restored it again.  The setup and voicing he did is amazing and you can tell when playing it.  Superior responsiveness, dynamics, balance and expression first come to mind.  I can play music on this Aeola that I can’t on any other.  It is a joy to play. And it looks awesome too 😊.  I hope the one you are building with him turns out just as good.  I am sure it will.

 

 

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Edited September 6, 2024 by 4to5to6