looking for infos on 72 key McCann Duett

[Nikita Pfister]

Hi! I acquired a lovely Wheatstone 72 key McCann Duett, and I'm getting a few tunes out of it. Colin Dipper, who's seen it, told me it's a good instrument, dating from between 1914 and 1916.

It's quite a big beast, but plays beautifully (apart for a few notes that will need a slight retuning)

the number is 26883.

Has anyone more infos about this series? Was 72 keys common?

Thanks a lot

[Alex West]

Nikita

 

You'll see your instrument here http://www.horniman.info/DKNSARC/SD01/PAGES/D1P0760S.HTM,  dated September 7th 1915.  And you'll see from this reference that 72 keys was a 'standard' size.http://www.concertina.com/pricelists/wheatstone-duet/Wh-Pricelist-Duet-c1915.pdf.   There are more references to the Maccann duets here http://www.concertina.com/maccann-duet/index.htm

 

I've no idea how many were made and the relationship with the other sizes - you could spend many a happy hour looking through the Wheatstone ledgers unless someone's al;ready done that!

 

Alex West

 

[Nikita Pfister]

Wouah! thanks a lot Alex! It's very moving to see that ledger, with my `Tina on it!

And Colin Dipper was quite accurate, it's wonderful! He also told me that the Wheatstone of taht time were very good, so I consider myself very lucky.

the sound - especially the lowest notes - is amazing...

thank you again and al the best

[Geoffrey Crabb]

Posted for general interest

 

Wheatstone Maccann doc 2021.doc

 

Geoff

[Nikita Pfister]

Thank you Geoff!

I had already downloaded the notes layout from a tutorial bokk of Prof McCann... but your chart is much clearer!