Tuning a 20 button G/D to C/G

[Adamo]

I recently got a Scholer (I think) 20 button anglo G/D in alright condition. I have discovered from getting it that it would probably be best if I got a C/G, as it seems better for most genres of music that I want to learn, and it has more books and songs and things about it (I'm a beginner by the way). I'm just wandering if it is reasonable or even possible to retune it to C/G, or if I should keep it as is, or if I should just get a new one in the (hopefully) near future.

[Tiposx]

The Scholer concertinas I have seen have all the reeds on one or two plates. This makes everything much more compicated. It is definitely not worth it IMO. 
I would get a mainstream c/g.

Edited April 1 by Tiposx

[David Colpitts]

I concurr wholeheartedly with Tiposx's suggestion.  As a matter of fact, many people might be looking for an inexpensive G/D Anglo, since it plays "instantly" in the two most popular session keys (at least for some sessions) and might be better for some people's song self-accompaniment, in home rows.  I bet if you try, you'll find a swap, probably right here.

[Adamo]

25 minutes ago, Tiposx said:

The Scholer concertinas I have seen have all the reeds on one or two plates. This makes everything much more compicated. It is definitely not worth it IMO. 
I would get a mainstream c/g.

Would cheaper ones like a Scarlatti count? I probably couldn't afford any more than that.

[Tiposx]

There have been several mentions of Scarlatti over the years. This one is reasonably positive:

If you could do with 20 buttons then you could get a decent Lachenal that would last for at least another 100 years!

[AndyNT]

There is currently a 30 button Scarlatti on FB Marketplace in Yorkshire for not a lot of money.

Pics, but not a lot of info.

[Jake Middleton-Metcalfe]

Tuning from G/D to C/G will take far too much metal off the reeds it will either be impossible as the higher reeds will just not have enough metal at the tip or it will just give a bad result. 

 

 

[donmcl]

Would it be possible to re-tune a G/D Scholer to A/E?

[Theo]

Don't even think about retuning.  It's a highly skilled job.  Less common keys (like GD) are actually very saleable.  Much better to trade or buy and sell to get the pitch you want.

 

[SIMON GABRIELOW]

I would say do not bother with all the hassle. Youu should be able to adapt music to suit your needs. Or maybe use transposition to make the tunes fit if need be. ( Take the notes up or down to fit). Although this will mean some knowledge of how to do it). Something I learned to do years ago myself.

[Chris Ghent]

Pretty much everyone who could do this job started out without adequate instruction. If you do it you will end up knowing how to do it but probably not with a useable instrument.