Wanted to step into a better concertina off the bat…

[holdyourponies]

On 10/25/2024 at 6:48 PM, Caroline said:

Three years ago I was in the same position as you.  I did my homework and ended up buying a “Custom Clover” which comes with the upgraded Walker bellows.  I have no regrets, but about a year later I knew I wanted a concertina reeded instrument too.  As gtotani mentioned, Walker’s wait time was indefinite so I couldn’t take advantage of trading up unless I wanted to wait.  I was extremely lucky to place an order with Wally Carroll before he closed his books, and this summer I received my Carroll.  
 

Now I play my Carroll at home, and keep my Clover at work, where I play it on my lunch break, and I take it in the RV when traveling all summer (school teachers).  I enjoy playing both.  Before I had the Carroll,  I had no idea what concertina reeds vs. accordion reeds sounded like, and I was satisfied with my choice.  I’m still satisfied but the Carroll is on a different level.  I’m happy with both.

 

Maybe one day I’ll get the nerve up to go to a session (none really close or convenient to me) and when I do, I’ll take the Clover.

This is the route I decided to take. They have pretty reasonable wait times. What are your thoughts on the difference between the Carroll and the Clover? Also curious, which wood did you choose?

 

I don't think I can hear much of a difference between hybrids and trad concertina reeds. From what I've read it seems like its mostly inflection, being able to imbue more emotion with the way the note starts (less rigid?). 

Edited November 22 by Holdyourponies

[Parker135]

On 11/19/2024 at 12:59 PM, Holdyourponies said:

Edgley is some time off so I put an order in for a Clover Custom. I noticed while checking the forum that you've had both. What's your thoughts on the difference between them?

The Clover Custom is a great hybrid concertina.  I selected woods from the walnut family with the intention of trying to have a slightly more mellow tone (as described by Wim).  It was perfect at home and in our little camper.  Playing it out with other instruments, sometimes I wished I had picked something like cherry to give it a little more presence.  And since I play almost exclusively Irish music, I definitely would have asked for a Jeffries layout.  Having two C# buttons, one pushing, one pulling, is really helpful.  My Clover had a Wheatstone layout, which sometimes required a work-around to get to the single C#.  If I had it to do all over again, I would still go with the Clover, but with the two changes I described.

 

My Edgley Heritage is in a different league altogether.  Besides having traditional concertina reeds, it's louder, faster, smoother, more comfortable to play, and a bit heavier.  I've had the opportunity to play a Wakker and a couple of Carrolls, and while I feel like I would really enjoy a Carroll at some point in the future, I'm really grateful that I was able to move up to the Edgley when I did.  

 

 

 

[holdyourponies]

Thanks for the insight! I went with the quilted maple (not entirely sure how that effects the tone). Other question. Do you know where  the custom Clover is made? I was trying to find it on their site... I'm assuming the U.S.

[Parker135]

99.99% sure they're made right there at Concertina Connection. 

[BobBobsta]

I by the way took the Route of getting on the list for a Marcus music concertina. It was a lovely experience chatting and making the order with Dave and Jayne.

 

current wait time is about 15months at Marcus music Concertina.

But also no upfront payments until they begin making your instrument.

 

I am wrestling with myself if i want a cheap in between step up from my wren but otherwise i got a reason to spend more time with my wren hoping i don't get frustrated over the instrument while learning.

[Daniel Hersh]

3 hours ago, Parker135 said:

99.99% sure they're made right there at Concertina Connection. 

Why are you so sure?

[Parker135]

On 11/26/2024 at 2:08 AM, Daniel Hersh said:

Why are you so sure?

Their website describes the Clovers as "designed and built at Concertina Connection."  Also, Wim sent me photos of the actual pieces of tonewood he had available at the time for me to choose from.  I didn't personally witness it being built, but I think I'm safe in concluding they build the instruments on site.

[Daniel Hersh]

17 hours ago, Parker135 said:

Their website describes the Clovers as "designed and built at Concertina Connection."  Also, Wim sent me photos of the actual pieces of tonewood he had available at the time for me to choose from.  I didn't personally witness it being built, but I think I'm safe in concluding they build the instruments on site.

Thanks - sounds reasonable to me.

[holdyourponies]

On 11/27/2024 at 6:55 AM, Parker135 said:

Their website describes the Clovers as "designed and built at Concertina Connection."  Also, Wim sent me photos of the actual pieces of tonewood he had available at the time for me to choose from.  I didn't personally witness it being built, but I think I'm safe in concluding they build the instruments on site.

 

After scouring a bit on this forum I found this tidbit from Wakker himself from 2018.

 

A few facts:
Except for our entry level models (Jackie/Jack/Rochelle/Elise), ALL our models (34 in total; 6 hybrids and 28 with traditional reeds, ranging in price from $445 to $34100), are made here in the USA.

 

The only parts we import are the (accordion) reeds for the hybrid models (we make our own traditional reeds), and the bellows for the Minstrel/Busker/Troubadour models, which are made for us in the UK.
We also import our tonewoods for the Wakker models ourselves from all over the world, because the quality and aging is not available in the US.

 

Was happy to see this.

 

Edited Wednesday at 09:48 PM by holdyourponies