Stagi Concertinas

[Steve Atl]

I recently bought a Chinese, "Jack" baritone English concertina ($500). I enjoy it and want to get a better instrument. Some comments regarding "Stagi" concertinas seem to indicate that they are now good quality, but the comments might be somewhat dated. What is the current thinking about new "Stagi" concertinas ($2000)? Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks.

Edited November 1 by Steve Atl
Clarification

[DaveRo]

This thread is from August this year

https://www.concertina.net/forums/index.php?/topic/29435-warning-about-buying-from-concertine-italia/

 

[Johanna]

I can't personally comment on the current state of Stagi/Concertine Italia.  But if you have $2000 to spend on a concertina, that will get you a pretty decent vintage Wheatstone or Lachenal, which I suspect will make you a whole lot happier.  

[Steve Atl]

Thanks for the comments. I have seen that existing thread, and I should mention that an existing reputable dealer in the US now has a Stagi baritone for sale; no waiting, no hassle. I have not seen any Wheatstone or Lachenal baritones now for sale.  I like the idea of going through a dealer. 

[Roger Hare]

2 hours ago, Steve Atl said:

...I have not seen any Wheatstone or Lachenal baritones now for sale.  I like the idea of going through a dealer. 

I see that Barleycorn have a Lachenal 48-button baritone on offer at £2000:

 

https://concertina.co.uk/stock-selection/english-concertinas/lachenal-48-key-baritone-8690/

 

I don't know how that stacks up with your $2000 budget when you add in exchange rate/tariffs/international shipping costs/etc, but these beasts are clearly around, if a little thin on the ground...

 

I have no connection, financial or otherwise with Barleycorn...

 

I can also see a Stagi 48-button for sale in the U.S. (priced at €1,807.52), and one in the U.K. priced at £749.00...

Edited November 1 by Roger Hare

[Johanna]

5 hours ago, Steve Atl said:

Thanks for the comments. I have seen that existing thread, and I should mention that an existing reputable dealer in the US now has a Stagi baritone for sale; no waiting, no hassle. I have not seen any Wheatstone or Lachenal baritones now for sale.  I like the idea of going through a dealer. 

I didn't realize that you specifically wanted a baritone - that changes things a bit, as baritones do tend to be more expensive for what you get.  $2000 for a Stagi is a lot, though, and I'm not sure if you'd feel it was enough of an upgrade from your Jack to justify 4x the price.  Is there any way you can get to the dealer (I think I know which one you're talking about) to try it out?  If you can't, I see that they offer a full refund within 7 days, but you have to cover shipping and credit card fees.  

 

You say you like the idea of going through a dealer, but consider keeping an eye on the Buy & Sell pages on this forum.  Baritones turn up from time to time (I just bought one last month), and most sellers are concertina players who know how to take care of their instruments and aren't trying to make a profit.

[Roger Hare]

3 hours ago, Johanna said:

I didn't realize that you specifically wanted a baritone

...

$2000 for a Stagi is a lot, though

...

(I think I know which one you're talking about)...(my emphasis)

Yes, I did wonder whether the instrument I could see in the U.S. (which is priced in euros when I look at it here in the U.K.) is the one Steve Atl is looking at. Whatever its merits, $2000 is a lot to pay for an instrument which I can also see priced at £749 from a U.K.-based dealer?

Edited November 2 by Roger Hare

[Roger Hare]

The more I look at this, the less I like what I see.

 

The Stagi for sale in the U.K. is described as having 'Leather bound 6 fold bellows'. I don't know what that means, but I'll guess the bottom line is 'the bellows are not leather'.

 

The Stagi for sale in the U.S. (now listed at $1999.00) is missing any mention of the bellows in the description. There is a video, but it's difficult to tell what the bellows are made of. To me it looks as if the leather is used to simply trim the edges of the bellows folds?

 

Now, I freely admit to having a bit of a 'bee in my bonnet' about leather bellows, but the idea of paying $2000 for a concertina without leather bellows gives me a very, very bad feeling. (instruments with non-leather bellows can be physically hard work to play)

 

'Caveat emptor' (or 'Gae canny' as they say in Scotland)...

Edited November 2 by Roger Hare

[PaulDa321]

I had a Stagi Anglo with leather bellows that was probably from the 2000s. I thought the bellows were pretty decent as was the whole instrument, as a starter. I don’t know the details of the bellows construction, but, on the outside, they appeared quite similar to well-made bellows of concertinas I had later. They played pretty well and I think may have been better quality than the action, which itself was good for a beginner, but not on the level of an intermediate. I believe that Anglo was the W-15-LN.  I know you’re looking for an English Baritone, but the components might be similar. 
 

I have a pic, though it was to show the lap wear (not from me!) to a buyer. 

Edited November 4 by PaulDa321
Adding pic

[SIMON GABRIELOW]

I have [Hohner branded] anglo concertina for 26 years now, [since 1999] - and it has genuine leather bellows also, which hardly have a mark on them at all in all that time, simply because it gets pampered and well protected between uses! Made by the Brunner musica in Italy [ later Stagi].  I dont know how they perform these days [ newer made ones] as mine is a few years old now - buttons can slip, and other little problems, but over time and use, mine has I feel at least, no more general issues with frequent use, than I sense other kinds have anyway. 

 

Edited November 5 by SIMON GABRIELOW
awful keyboard layout typo errors!

[wschruba]

I believe the leather bellows would be identical to the (several) Italian models I have spanning the years: folded card, covered with leather. 

 

I will say that the W-40 I have has notably free-er moving bellows compared to the cheaper ones, so maybe further investigation into the different quality levels would be appropriate.