6 anglo concertinas comparison "blind test" (irish)

[papawemba]

Hi, 

 

I just had fun doing this...

You can hear 6 different Anglos I once owned (still have 3 of them though). One of them was 2 or 3 years ago ! (but I am still a beginner, advance one ;-))

I found some recording on my computer, the same tune with same mic (Mac) so just for fun, a blind comparison.

Maybe you will recognize one of them ? (If any interest, I will give the model when the time is right :-)).

(number 6 had less chance, it was recorded in another room and the result is not so great)

 

Nicolas

 

 

Edited September 28, 2024 by papawemba

[LR71]

I'm at work and just have headphones, so difficult to tell which one you sold me...#5?

[Tiposx]

#4 sounds a bit raspy. #5 sounds like a mouth organ, so I am guessing that is a modern tina with accordion reeds. The rest sound pretty similar, I couldn’t say if they were traditional reeds or not. I assume the Bb/f is a vintage instrument because of the keys.

I can tell the difference most of the time on the ones I am playing, but not when listening to other people play. I had a Morse English that sounded like trad reeds (for a tune or two)but was not.

i also have a modern Anglo with new “traditional style”  reeds on individual plates, which is quite distinctive, and not like any other I have heard.

[papawemba]

11 hours ago, LR71 said:

I'm at work and just have headphones, so difficult to tell which one you sold me...#5?

Not all the concertina are in there 😉 But to tell you the truth, I forgot what I sold you 😕 Such bad memory...What was the concertina ?

 

He he Tiposx, I think you will be surprise ! But I think the recording does not do justice to the real sound...

 

[Tiposx]

Hi Papawemba

I look forward to the surprise, even if I am totally wrong 🤭

[LR71]

Hi Papa,

 

It was a Kensington.

[papawemba]

Ho yes the Kensington ! Maybe I sold it too quickly, I was a beginner (but broke). Ha ha yes it is in the audio...

No worry Tiposx ! And you are right about the first 3, they sound a bit similar...

Not so easy to tell from a not so good audio.

 

Nicolas

[papawemba]

Thank you LR71 and Tiposx for your interest ! 
No need to stretch out the suspense...here it is : 

#1 Wheatstone Linota: My favorite but was a bit too small.

#2 Eiru Gold: I think the sound is very similar to the Wheatstone, less sweet on higher notes

#3 Kensington: It has a distinctive voice, it was a few years ago

#4 Morse Ceili: The one hybrid here: Yes I think hybrid is a bit harder to record, need a better mic

#5 Basic 20b Lachenal: I like it 🙂

#6 7Mount small model: A super super fast concertina !! (way faster than me 🙂 Unfortunately, the record is not the best

 

That's it folk

Nicolas

[Tiposx]

My opinions, not pretending to be facts:

 

I was really wrong about #5 it didn’t sound anything like the 20b Lachenals that I have owned. I really liked those, yours sounds a bit breathy in comparison. I like to play those models hard and loud though.

I interesting sound from your Eiru. I have an ICC Vintage with the modern concertina reeds, I wonder if yours has accordion reeds? I can hear similarities somehow.

Your Morse does not sound like accordion reeds, although I know that it has them. It sounds pretty good to my ears. That is what I found with my own Morse English.

 

The video goes to show how subjective it can be.

[papawemba]

yes super subjective !

Somehow I always go back to the Lachenal...Too bad it is a 20b but I like it.

I'll probably will sell it someday...Yes I see what you mean, I also like to play it loud !

The Eiru also has concertina reeds, the Eiru gold is described as their top of the line (described by them).

I think the right side of the Morse sound very good, when played loud ! Not so much when played slowly...but I think this is the limit of Hybrid (my 20b Lachenal sound very good even when played gently)

[Tiposx]

I have a friend who can play really well, he taps the keys quickly but gently. He makes every concertina sound at its best. The Morse sounds just like a trad concertina in his hands.

[papawemba]

Would love to hear him ! If he has a youtube channel...