Is there a “best wood” with concertinas?

[Geoffrey Crabb]

18 hours ago, Jake Middleton-Metcalfe said:

 The ends of the nicer instruments - if wooden were an in house made plywood. All of the later Aeolas and Edeophones had plywood ends, I am not entirely sure what wood was used for those but although black it probably was a dyed wood and not actually ebony which is a bit brittle when thin. 

 

Pre-dyed pear wood. (by a method similar to the the 'reuping' process).

Laminated sheets for the tops, single veneer for the sides.

 

Seasons Greetings

Geoff

[Jake Middleton-Metcalfe]

23 minutes ago, Geoffrey Crabb said:

 

Pre-dyed pear wood. (by a method similar to the the 'reuping' process).

Laminated sheets for the tops, single veneer for the sides.

 

Seasons Greetings

Geoff

Thanks Geoffrey, that is very interesting and good to know. The stuff I use now is sold as dyed "tulipwood". Which comes in black. I might look into pear.

Edited December 19, 2024 by Jake Middleton-Metcalfe

[holdyourponies]

3 hours ago, David Lay said:

You spoke of getting on a wait-list, so I expect your maker will have his way of making the components you cannot see.  He will offer aesthetic options for the trim you can see from appropriate and available hardwoods.  Choose what you think is most attractive to you from what the maker offers.  Keep in mind, once you make your selection, that many woods will change color when exposed to sunlight (UV).  Bright colors generally become more subdued.  (Purpleheart looks brown when cut, turns vibrant purple quickly and then slowly turns to nearly black.). It's best to keep your concertina in its case when not being played for this reason - and for other reasons as well.

 

Thank you David. I went with Quilted Maple and it sounds like it's an aesthetic decision more than anything else so I suppose I don't need to overthink the choice. 

[wunks]

Dyed Pear was/is used for finish wood on other instruments in stead of  ebony, such as banjo and guitar peg head facings.  I wonder if customs agents are trained to know the difference.

[David Lay]

20 hours ago, holdyourponies said:

 

Thank you David. I went with Quilted Maple and it sounds like it's an aesthetic decision more than anything else so I suppose I don't need to overthink the choice. 

Ah!  Nice!  Maple is not a wood that will change much from sun exposure.  Nice for flooring, too!