Comparing the timbre of different Anglo concertinas

[Tiposx]

I understand what KW is describing regarding a connection to the instrument. Several years ago I bought a top quality Wheatstone ec restored to as-new condition by Steve Dickinson. It was technically perfect in every way.  I always found the top end a little "acid" for my ears, otherwise superb.

Having paid a fortune for it, I intended to keep it as long as I could play.

Recently however. I finished the restoration of a wrecked (i.e. a box of small pieces) Boyd Lachenal ec. Five or six of the reed tongues had rusted right through at the tip, and the rest were pitted and filthy.

It was mechanically inferior to the Wheatstone.

I fell in love with the tone though. I knew it as soon as I had all the reeds sounding.

I have played lots and lots of top quality concertinas as a reference.

I bought the Lachenal and sold the Wheatstone. Or is it : "Reader, I married him"

I think it was Chris Algar who once said that "your concertina will find you"

[Kathryn Wheeler]

Ahhh I'm not alone!

 

Interestingly I did have a reaction to the Wheatstone - it was one of sheer relief at the ease of playing after trying a whole pile of other 30 button instruments (including a lot of Lachenals, each one not right in some way).   But then comparing it to my 20 button Lachenal, which plays a dream, it just didn't cut it soundwise for me.

Edited March 29 by Kathryn Wheeler

[Tiposx]

I like those 20b lachenals. I recently worked on one in A/E, it was particularly mellow and nice to play.