EBay foolishness

[Cornfield]

Introducing myself here. I play guitar, ukulele and autoharp while singing folk and contemporary songs. The instruments are largely props to play chords while supporting my voice.

at one time I had a “portable” pump organ. The kind that traveling ministers used that fold up into an oak box and weigh 60 pounds. I found it too heavy to take to song circles. I got to thinking how much I loved the free reed sound of the irgan sk I searched EBay.

i got outbid on a Jack as well as a Jenny so started looking at others.

i ended up buying an antique Wheatstone 48 from the 1850’s from a UK seller. The seller said that everything works but that it may need a service. It’s currently being shipped to me.
have since sent an email to one of the US respected repair professionals who suggested that J might have wasted my $.
‘When it arrives, I’ll be flying blind in learning about concertinas.

 

Edited November 1, 2024 by Cornfield
Typo

[Ken_Coles]

Well, you have lots of company here. Many of us have been down the same road, but we're still here. Welcome aboard.

 

Ken

[John Wild]

Reference to "48" suggests an English system  concertina, in contrast to an Anglo or duet.

Have a look at the Concertina FAQ for some information on the different systems.

There you will also find a lot of information about the concertina world.

https://www.concertina.info/

 

When you receive your instrument, if there is a serial number visible, you may find information about it in the Wheatstone ledgers. Though be aware that some records are missing.

http://www.horniman.info/

 

Best wishes.

 

John.

 

 

[Tiposx]

18 hours ago, Cornfield said:

everything works but that it may need a service.

The dreaded words! I have two of those in the shed! I hope your purchase works out ok though.

[Cornfield]

11 hours ago, John Wild said:

Reference to "48" suggests an English system  concertina, in contrast to an Anglo or duet.

Have a look at the Concertina FAQ for some information on the different systems.

There you will also find a lot of information about the concertina world.

https://www.concertina.info/

 

When you receive your instrument, if there is a serial number visible, you may find information about it in the Wheatstone ledgers. Though be aware that some records are missing.

http://www.horniman.info/

 

Best wishes.

 

John.

 

 

Wheatstone English 48 button Concertina numbered 5598.

Dates to 1854. 

Brass reeds, 5 fold bellows, Rosewood endplates.
 

I was looking for an English or duet system as I prefer chromatic vs diatonic instruments.

Edited November 2, 2024 by Cornfield

[Cornfield]

4 hours ago, Tiposx said:

The dreaded words! I have two of those in the shed! I hope your purchase works out ok though.

It may end up in my collection of curiosities rather than in my repertoire.

[Tiposx]

Hi Cornfield. Could you post a link to the advert?

[Cornfield]

55 minutes ago, Tiposx said:

Hi Cornfield. Could you post a link to the advert?

EBay item #256687057650

[David Barnert]

23 minutes ago, Cornfield said:

EBay item #256687057650

 

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sofindtype=4&_nkw=256687057650&LH_PrefLoc=2&rt=nc&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1

 

[Tiposx]

Aha! I thought so, I recognised the syntax used by the seller. I bought one of my shed concertinas from him! I think he reads this forum and has bought concertinas through it, then sells on. Nothing wrong with that.

I would expect to have a lot of work to do on that instrument though, judging by the description, and considering what has not been said in it.

[Cornfield]

10 minutes ago, Tiposx said:

Aha! I thought so, I recognised the syntax used by the seller. I bought one of my shed concertinas from him! I think he reads this forum and has bought concertinas through it, then sells on. Nothing wrong with that.

I would expect to have a lot of work to do on that instrument though, judging by the description, and considering what has not been said in it.

What should it have been said?

Edited November 2, 2024 by Cornfield

[Tiposx]

I know nothing about this particular instrument. What I mean is that the ad and description is probably accurate as far as it goes. But it does not go very far. For instance there are no photos of the interior, so that is unknown to us. It may be fine of course. I always show interior photos so that the condition of the end bolts pads, buttons valves etc can be assessed by the buyer. 
The concertina might play well and not need much work beyond that which is in the photos. I can see cracks and a hole in the l/h end plate, and evidence of insect droppings and what could be woodworm exit holes on the r/h.

It can all be repaired.
 

[alex_holden]

If the bellows were repaired by the Dippers (24 years ago), that's a promising sign at least.

[fred v]

By the look of the buttons this is a student model instrument. good luck.

[McCarthy]

If it's any consolation, I think the majority of us are guilty on a few concertina purchases that didn't pan out. I myself have two 20 button lachenal anglo's that are in dire need of repair and/or a new owner. One can't even be opened, some poor sod inserted wood screws into the end cover in replacement of the bolts. The other looks lovely but plays something awful. Sorry state inside. Can't help chipped reeds. I'm sure some of the two I've bought are salvagable (and combinable?) but as they are its way beyond my expertise and bandwidth. I paid enough for the two of them combined to have simply bought a 20 button anglo in a playable state off a reputable source.

 

If you have the gumption and know-all how to apply yourself to this project you've inherited, you've come to the right place. I couldn't dream of a more enthused and lovely group of people to discuss in detail all the nuances of your squeezebox.

 

Oh well! Live and learn!

[Cornfield]

2 hours ago, fred v said:

By the look of the buttons this is a student model instrument. good luck.

At this point, I AM a student.

Is there anything inherently wrong with a “student model”?

[Cornfield]

2 hours ago, McCarthy said:

If it's any consolation, I think the majority of us are guilty on a few concertina purchases that didn't pan out. I myself have two 20 button lachenal anglo's that are in dire need of repair and/or a new owner. One can't even be opened, some poor sod inserted wood screws into the end cover in replacement of the bolts. The other looks lovely but plays something awful. Sorry state inside. Can't help chipped reeds. I'm sure some of the two I've bought are salvagable (and combinable?) but as they are its way beyond my expertise and bandwidth. I paid enough for the two of them combined to have simply bought a 20 button anglo in a playable state off a reputable source.

 

If you have the gumption and know-all how to apply yourself to this project you've inherited, you've come to the right place. I couldn't dream of a more enthused and lovely group of people to discuss in detail all the nuances of your squeezebox.

 

Oh well! Live and learn!

It’s taken me 12-13 years of buying, selling, trading and playing the ukulele to decide which one will go to the grave with me. 11 years with guitar and I’ve settled on a couple of Martin prewar size O. 
‘I have 4 autoharps and can’t make up mind which to keep, if any.

This being my first concertina at 74 years old I can only hope that I’ll have several more to learn from.

[Bill N]

I wouldn't be fretting too much until I had it in my hands.  That wasn't a bad price, and if it works, it works.  There are a lot of tweaks you can learn to make yourself that don't cost much and will improve playability.  And a relatively inexpensive and not-too-precious instrument is a good first "patient".  Get a copy of David Elliott's concertina repair manual, relax, and enjoy!