What to buy -recap.

[Alan Day]

Many questions repeat on this page over the years, but new players, or possible players are joining daily so a recap on my thoughts.

Firstly I and many players before me suggest that the first instrument you buy is cheap ,but playable .Most layouts are the same it is only additional notes that allow you to play more difficult music,so any progress you make will not be wasted . When you reach the stage that you enjoy playing the instrument and you have reached the limitations of the starter concertina then it is time to move on. My thoughts on this is spend as much money as you can afford,, your investment will not be wasted and many find after a few years it is worth more money than you paid for it. My Jeffries cost me £125 and a Jones Anglo as an example (many years ago). . 

On this site many players have provided tutors, or help if you want to progress and with time and practice it will provide years of enjoyment and friendship .

Al

[Richard Mellish]

Alan's advice is sound but doesn't address the choice of system. English concertinas, Anglos, and the several sorts of Duets all have their pros and cons, including price and availability for a given level of quality. My advice would be to go somewhere (concertina event, dealer, maker, whatever) if possible where you can have a quick twiddle on as many different systems as possible, because one of them may just make more sense than the others, according to any previous experience of other instruments and how your brain works.

[Ty Bowen]

Exactly what I did. I got a Rochelle 2 and I have reached what it can do for me, there are reeds that simply aren't responsive enough. So I put in an order for a Clover from Concertina Connection that will be ready in mid-June. I do not anticipate regretting the decision.

[Ken_Coles]

Choice of system is another thread (and there must be 20 of them here). If you just regard this as a consideration of instrument level/quality, as Alan seems to suggest, it is indeed worth restating.

 

Ken

[Parker135]

8 hours ago, Ty Bowen said:

Exactly what I did. I got a Rochelle 2 and I have reached what it can do for me, there are reeds that simply aren't responsive enough. So I put in an order for a Clover from Concertina Connection that will be ready in mid-June. I do not anticipate regretting the decision.

Exactly what I did.  You will not regret deciding on the Clover.  

[Richard Mellish]

11 hours ago, Ken_Coles said:

Choice of system is another thread (and there must be 20 of them here). If you just regard this as a consideration of instrument level/quality, as Alan seems to suggest, it is indeed worth restating.

 

Ken

There are indeed threads covering both aspects, but I thought a recap thread should cover both.

[seanc]

Alan’s advice is certainly solid.

 

but I would add.. a newbie has to overcome the first hurdle.. buy SOMETHING.

 

even if it’s the “Simon G signature” Hohner, used.  It’s nice for us and sit back and say.. Oh, you need a Jeffries! They will hold their value! For a ground zero person. That is just too massive a barrier.  And an immediate turn off.  They are generally not capable of judging a “good” vintage  instrument from one that “needs a bit of tlc” which as WE know can be thousands.

 

I think to get a prospective newbie into the game a decent new CC is a relatively easier sell, safer and better option. It’s a low $$ risk and gets them enough of a box to decide, if they will stick with it. Or it is the right system.  
 

[SIMON GABRIELOW]

At th end of the day get and start playing that instrument as it also depends very much upon the person behind the device that makes it sing🌝

 

[Cathasach]

I started with a Trinity College(cheap Chinese) instrument and it did everything I needed to get me learning. Unless you're already musically accomplished and trained I think even a cheap 20 button would be good to start.