C/G Jones Anglo

[David Gallivan]

A somewhat quiet, mellow sounding concertina with beautiful wood ends and bone buttons. All in good shape except that it leaks a little on the left side, but it's quite playable - I was still able to perform with a little string band for St. Patrick's day.

 

Bought it from Barleycorn in 2019 for about $2000. Willing to bargain.

 

Some old videos of it being played (not great playing, but so you get an idea of the instrument):

https://www.youtube.com/@davidgallivan6131

[backfortyjordi]

I'm having a hard time to get a good look at it in the videos, could you post some photos?

Is the leak just a leak, or is it a leaking reed? 

 

[David Gallivan]

Sorry for the slow response. The leak is just a leak on the left end, not near a reed, and it is very slight. I am in the Cincinnati area.

[David Gallivan]

Not sure if this will encourage anyone to consider the instrument more, but I took it out to play in the last week or so after having neglected it since winter, and the leak seems to be gone. My takeaway is that the wood just needs humidity. Should've listened to Greg...

Edited June 23 by David Gallivan

[wschruba]

David, maybe a bit more information would help make the sale.  It definitely looks clean, and the button holes are bushed...what kind of action does it have? Presumably steel reeds?

[David Gallivan]

I got it from Barleycorn in 2019. Not sure where he got it or what all repairs he had to do, but if memory serves it was made in the 1890s. I think most or all of the parts were original, at least the bellows and reeds. I'm not extremely knowledgeable about concertina actions, but they are all traditional jones reeds. The buttons move levers which open circular valves above little side-by-side chambers each containing a reed.

 

Greg Jowaisas has tuned it once or twice for me. He fixed the leak I mentioned a few years ago. More recently when I brought it to him saying it still leaked slightly, he offered the opinion that it was still very playable, and that I should just get a humidifier for my house. The summer humidity here is proving him right. He never pointed out any other problems with the instrument. I've taken it apart a number of times and always found it clean inside, parts fitting together well, etc.

 

There is a little buzzing sound sometimes when I play a really low note. Sometimes it sounds like an octave lower than the note being played, which I find kind of cool. I think it's the red paper/leather between the outer covering and the action. This is also weather dependent.

 

I mostly play singalongs alone or with friends, harmonizing folk tunes or hymns by ear. The sound is pleasantly mellow and gentle, but holds its own against singers and other instruments if need be. I play some jigs and hornpipes too, and I've even been able to perform together with some fiddlers I know, but there is a limit to how fast the instrument can go - definitely a great instrument to learn on, but if I really wanted to improve my Irish tune playing I would consider an upgrade.

 

It's a lovely concertina and I enjoy playing it very much. I'm selling it because owing to circumstances I don't foresee much concertina-playing for me in the near future. If it brings as much joy to the buyer's family and friends as it has to mine, I will be as grateful as they will.