McNeela Skylark

[PushTheButton]

Hello everyone. I'm an intermediate player who is looking to upgrade from the McNeela Wren to something in the 1000-1500 UK pounds range.

 

The Wren, now 3 years old, is ready for the bin. I'm so upset with it. I knew NOTHING about concertinas when I decided I wanted to learn, and I figured throwing 450 quid at an "irish manufacturer" (ahem) was the way to go. 

Its been in and out the repair shop umpteen times and, because the cheap chinese screws holding the faces on are so worn, I doubt it can be repaired again. So frustrating.

Anyways.....time for the upgrade.

 

I promised myself that I would steer clear from McNeela, but found myselfI swithering about the Phoenix, talking myself out of it everytime. Once bitten, twice shy. 

But now, I see they have something called the Skylark for 1300 and my traitorous little head is turning in their direction once more.

 

My wren is practically unplayable now and I've just got myself involved with a little local trad club - I'd hate to give it up because I have to wait 10 months for an APJ handmade concertine (which I think may be better than a Skylark, purely because they are handcrafted in England). 

 

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Any one have a Skylark?

I feel like I am floundering in an ocean of vintage concertinas from Barleycorn I just cant afford, and pretty-looking boxes in my budget that might turn out to be the 4Cs....(cheap chinese crap concertinas) . ..(Sorry, China, no offense,If it wasn't for the 4Cs, i would never have met my latest musical crush. They do fill a price gap, but they do not last) 

 

Thanks for taking the time to read my waffling post....

[Lappy]

Order a Minstrel from Concertina Connection. You will not regret it!

So it will cost more for shipping and insurance but in the end , you will be ecstatic with your purchase. 

Edited June 17 by Lappy

[wschruba]

If it makes you feel any better, I bought a Wren myself when first picking up an Anglo, and while it was fine for learning, a Bastari (that it was a cheap copy of, mind) was far superior.  I bushed the holes, and happily played that instrument for 1.5 years until a 40 button Lachenal came up that I couldn't pass up.  I even had a hand at making a new set of (absolutely awful) bellows for it.  Much was learned in the experience, without damaging a more valuable instrument.

 

I thoroughly enjoy the Bastari/it's clones for what they are, but they do not hold a candle to the better instruments...at least not without a ton of careful work to the action side of the instrument.  I do have a Renelli (again, this seems to be identical to early Bastari) that is identical to many modern hybrid concertinas, other than the cheap folded brass action.  With some repair, it is a worthy beater that I have absolutely no qualms about abusing.  It plays quickly/crisply without much fanfare, though it still needs some work to make it reliable.  Being able to make my own buttons, and setting them up on the Bastari clones so that they cannot bottom out/get stuck in the end plate has gone a long way to elevating the instrument from "concertina shaped object" to "quality instrument".

 

If you are willing to do some work yourself, you can find a true gem for relatively cheap...but the bargains are usually here/in other concertina groups.  Anywhere else, you're rolling the dice with regards to salvageability/playability.  

[PaulDa321]

Looks to me like the Hobgoblin site has some APJs ready to go, if I’m not mistaken

[Roger Hare]

7 hours ago, PushTheButton said:

...The Wren, now 3 years old, is ready for the bin, etc...

I've seen several (mixed) reviews of the Wren (both models). Both folks I know of personally, who have bought one have got rid of theirs after 18 months-2 years, and that's the first time I've seen a statement regarding the life-expectancy of one of these things. Interesting - and depressing - 3 years is nothing in the life of a 'real' concertina...

 

More to the point, I hear what you say about cost....

 

1) If you are prepared to go against your (correct IMO) instincts, and spend £1300 on another McNeela, you are (presumably) prepared to spend the same amount on a different alternative?

 

2) If the answer to 1) is yes, and you are unhappy about the wait time for an APJ, there are other slightly more radical alternatives. Have you considered buying a 24- or 26- button vintage instrument? These will be cheaper than a 30-button, and more flexible than a 20-button. There are a few such instruments (Lachenal, Jones) on the Barleycorn site right now for less than your £1300 budget. There's even a 30-button Lachenal C/G for £1200...

 

3) I presume we are talking C/G here? If you are a session player, might G/D be an alternative (A whole new can of worms there)?

 

OK, maybe you've your heart set on a particular make, but my guess is that if you have to compromise, and settle for an alternative, the vintage Lachenal/Jones/w.h.y. route will be more satisfactory than the ECCC route. I would go with your instincts and steer clear of McNeela - as you say, "Once bitten, twice shy"...

_________________________

I know of at least one person who would regard these CCCCs as ready for the bin immediately after they have been unloaded from the ship!

I have no connection with Barleycorn, financial or otherwise.

ECCC = Expensive Crap Chinese Concertinas

Edited June 18 by Roger Hare

[PushTheButton]

Invaluable advice all round. Thanks to all who took the time to reply, really appreciate it. 

 

Amma gonna steer clear of McNeela......while I ponder the other options..... .

[PaulDa321]

You could probably think of a nicer concertina as being like just putting your money into a box. When you sell it, it will pretty much be the same value. The McNeelas are going to depreciate initially and then further as they break down, which as you know, they likely will. 

[slowlearner]

As an owner of a Wren 2, I'm guessing the Skylark is another Chinese so-so.  I think there's a big factory with a dial on the production line, and they just turned it up from "mediocre" to "meh".  My Wren has been repairable so far, but I'm not expecting much.  I would have been much happier to spend $250 for it on AliExpress.  Of course with the Skylark, you get ALL the online lessons.

[David Lay]

I will guess that McNeela asked the Chinese factory to make a better concertina for the Skylark.  He specifies Czech hand-finished reeds, riveted action, leather 7-fold bellows and leather straps.  There are red things at the button holes that do not look like felt bushings, so one should wonder what they are.  What isn't said is whether the reeds are waxed or screwed into place, though Morse concertinas are waxed and good.  Perhaps this is an OK instrument for the money.  It would be nice to read a review and see interior photos.  The Chinese have made lots of cheap concertinas, but can certainly do better if they were motivated to do so.  My Eastman mandolin is pretty nice and it isn't even the top model.

[JimR]

Check Barleycorn?

[JonesB]

Minstrel by CC in the USA. I’ve had mine for a couple of years…..brilliant and so easy to play.

Try Steve at Red Cow Music….I believe he’s got one….may be the last due to US import problems.

Brian

[gtotani]

I have sent an inquiry to McNeela and got some reply

 

The Skylark is essentially a Phoenix with improved components. It has a stainless steel faceplate and buttons which reduce the occurrence of 'sticky buttons'. The action is also slightly better making fast play easier. 
 
The reeds are the same Czech-a-mano accordion reeds so the sound will be identical. 

 

[PushTheButton]

On 6/21/2025 at 8:18 PM, JimR said:

Check Barleycorn?

Yup, on it...

[PushTheButton]

Thanks everyone. I'm steering myself away from McNeela. The thought of a brand new, shiny instrument is attractive, but the horror of the thing not lasting for more than a few years is too much to bear. 

barleycorn here I come.....