Minstrel or Clover... or something else?

[TimPiazza]

I would like to buy a 30 button Anglo concertina in the USA. I do not have the luxury of popping over to the U.K. to try out any number of vintage instruments in my price range.

 

I am new to the concertina, but not new to music in general, and I can make my way through at least a couple hundred trad Irish tunes if someone else starts them. 
 

I want a box that is better than a starter, as I know from experience the importance of having an instrument that isn't getting in the way of my improvement.

 

Given the limited options in the USA and a budget between $1,500 and $3,000 USD, I see that Concertina Connection can build me an instrument while I get started with their basic model and then trade up. I also see that Liberty Bellows offers a couple of Chinese instruments in the $1,500-$2000 range that do not require a 5 months wait.

I am a bit intrigued by the Chinese instruments, as I know that their quality can be quite good when tasked with building professional caliber musical instruments.

 

So, do I Rochelle-wait-Minstrel-wait-Clover? Or roll the dice and try one of the Chinese-made Bella Vista hybrids? What would you do, and why?

 

[wunks]

Where in the US are you?

[Daniel Hersh]

2 hours ago, TimPiazza said:

I would like to buy a 30 button Anglo concertina in the USA. I do not have the luxury of popping over to the U.K. to try out any number of vintage instruments in my price range.

 

I am new to the concertina, but not new to music in general, and I can make my way through at least a couple hundred trad Irish tunes if someone else starts them. 
 

I want a box that is better than a starter, as I know from experience the importance of having an instrument that isn't getting in the way of my improvement.

 

Given the limited options in the USA and a budget between $1,500 and $3,000 USD, I see that Concertina Connection can build me an instrument while I get started with their basic model and then trade up. I also see that Liberty Bellows offers a couple of Chinese instruments in the $1,500-$2000 range that do not require a 5 months wait.

I am a bit intrigued by the Chinese instruments, as I know that their quality can be quite good when tasked with building professional caliber musical instruments.

 

So, do I Rochelle-wait-Minstrel-wait-Clover? Or roll the dice and try one of the Chinese-made Bella Vista hybrids? What would you do, and why?

 

I had not heard of the Bella Vista line, which seems to be sold exclusively by Liberty Bellows.   If it were me, I would only consider those if I could visit the shop in person to try them out, accompanied by an experienced player - and I might be hesitant even then.  Concertina Connection has a good track record and history, and they're concertina specialists.  Liberty Bellows is an accordion shop that also carries some concertinas.

[PaulDa321]

I like the concertina connection route here for a number of reasons. He’s a reputable maker and will not likely sell you an instrument with problems (the Rochelle is imported, but I assume he inspects it), and I think the stepping stones involved in working your way up is a good thing as it will give you an idea of what you want and help you appreciate the instruments that come along the way. 
 

The nicer of the Liberty Bellows concertinas seems to be a twin of the Phoenix and some others out there. They play nice, but the Phoenix at least has quality control issues.  If Liberty Bellows had some way of controlling for those quality problems, then that would help. The Minstrel plays very similarly to the Phoenix. But you get more assurance of quality. I haven’t played a Clover, but I’ve heard good things. 

[Jillser Nic Amhlaoibh]

Get in touch with Bob Tedrow at Homewood Music - he's a member here and usually has a variety of good intermediate concertinas in stock, he had a recent post on FB about the arrival of a Marcus anglo in the shop, and in the past he's had second hand Morse, several of the ICC models etc.

[Michael Eskin]

Another vote for contacting Bob Tedrow.

 

For the price range you mentioned you can get a used Tedrow or Edgley, either of which will be a fine instrument.  
 

I'd personally not buy any mass produced instrument made in China.

[jgarber760]

Tim, I think I know your name from some other music site. I started on a borrowed Lachenal but a used McNeela Swan came up on eBay. I took a chance and got it for a decent price. It is a Chinese made instrument but I am finding that it is effect for me to start out. I have another friend who has a McNeela Phoenix which is one rung better than mine. She is pleased with hers.

 

Then, again, I have heard of a few folks who have had problems with some of the Chinese made instruments but so far mine is fine for me. Mine didn’t come with a case I ordered one from McNeela and expected additional charges but they shipped free to me in the US and there were no additional charges. 

I have heard great things about Concertina Connection, but I believe that the Minstrel and the Clover are made in China but checked over at their shop. Please correct me if I am wrong about that. 

You might also consider the Irish Concertina Company which has gotten some good reviews. They have some instruments ready to buy without waiting: https://www.irishconcertinacompany.com/store

We in the US are at a disadvantage especially these days with added costs from overseas. While my Swan is perfectly suitable for my level of playing I figure that if I stick with it I will upgrade to a better instrument after seeking some of my better mandolins or guitars so i can afford them. I, too, would consider a Clover among others. 

[Ken_Coles]

20 minutes ago, jgarber760 said:

I believe that the Minstrel and the Clover are made in China but checked over at their shop. Please correct me if I am wrong about that. 

 

If that is the case it is a change from 15 years ago, when I bought one of the very first Clovers (no Minstrel model back then) as a gift for my wife to get started on. At that time Wim was finishing them in his shop. I suspect he would only sell his own bellows as an upgrade (available on some of these models) if he installed them himself.

 

Just my recollection/impression; I could be out of date.

 

Ken

[TimPiazza]

22 hours ago, wunks said:

Where in the US are you?

I am located in southwest Indiana.

 

[TimPiazza]

21 hours ago, Daniel Hersh said:

I had not heard of the Bella Vista line, which seems to be sold exclusively by Liberty Bellows.   If it were me, I would only consider those if I could visit the shop in person to try them out, accompanied by an experienced player 

I would like to see the insides of one, myself. One can tell quite a bit by looking at how they are put together. 

[TimPiazza]

13 hours ago, Jillser Nic Amhlaoibh said:

Get in touch with Bob Tedrow at Homewood Music - he's a member here and usually has a variety of good intermediate concertinas in stock, he had a recent post on FB about the arrival of a Marcus anglo in the shop, and in the past he's had second hand Morse, several of the ICC models etc.

I hadn't thought about asking Bob Tedrow about second-hand instruments. Thank you for that suggestion!

[TimPiazza]

19 hours ago, PaulDa321 said:

 

The nicer of the Liberty Bellows concertinas seems to be a twin of the Phoenix and some others out there. They play nice, but the Phoenix at least has quality control issues.  

It is possible they come out of the same factory, but the fretwork on the ends are different, so it's not a case of just slapping a different name on the same factory output. What sort of quality control issues?

[TimPiazza]

3 hours ago, jgarber760 said:

I have heard great things about Concertina Connection, but I believe that the Minstrel and the Clover are made in China but checked over at their shop. Please correct me if I am wrong about that. 
 

I'm pretty sure the Concertina Connection instruments are constructed in the USA, though perhaps they have some parts made for them elsewhere. Their current wait time is 20 weeks according to William.

[jgarber760]

1 hour ago, TimPiazza said:

I'm pretty sure the Concertina Connection instruments are constructed in the USA, though perhaps they have some parts made for them elsewhere. Their current wait time is 20 weeks according to William.

Apologies… I stand corrected. From what I understand the Minstrel may have some parts made in other countries but the Clover is built in the US in their shop. When I read the intro on their home page they said, “We designed and produce the popular Jackie/Jack, Rochelle and Elise entry level concertinas, the Clover, Peacock and Rose, intermediate concertinas, and are the makers of the highly regarded Wakker traditional concertinas.” They seemed to word it that they designed and produced the lower level concertinas but they are the makers of the Wakkers. I know the Rochelle is made in a Chinese factory but then looked over in the US.

Frankly, this makes the Clover even more enticing for me, when I am ready to upgrade.

Edited December 25, 2025 by jgarber760

[PaulDa321]

4 hours ago, TimPiazza said:

It is possible they come out of the same factory, but the fretwork on the ends are different, so it's not a case of just slapping a different name on the same factory output. What sort of quality control issues?

If you search around on this site and some of the Facebook groups, you’ll see a lot of posts about this. Some people get a Phoenix and it works well and plays well and they don’t have any issues. They’re very lightweight and comfortable to play. I love the feel of their buttons—they have a nice texture. 
 

I first ordered a Wren years ago and had a quality controls issue with the bellows folds sticking together and something else with a button. I didn’t want to roll the dice on another so I payed big shipping costs for a return/refund (shipping was free if there was a problem and you’re just swapping for another).

 

After some years on a pretty decent Stagi, I was tempted by the Phoenix. I figured if it was no good I would eat the cost of shipping it back again and consider it a 3 week rental to at least get some frame of reference. It had all the advantages I previously mentioned, but there were drips on the cherry finish, sticker/emblem was askew, and there was a leak coming out of the corner of a bellows fold (you could feel it blowing on your face). It generally felt a little cheap for the overall price. I sent it back and ate the cost of shipping since I didn't pursue an exchange. McNeela says they look these things over, but there’s a lot of reports of this, so it kind of seems more like they let it ride and then just let people use the return policy as the quality control. They communicate well and will stick by the return policy as far as I can tell. For me, I didn’t want to swap it for a Phoenix without apparent problems and risk them coming along down the road. 
 

I ended up buying a used ICC Clare from 2017 and it was a fantastic intermediate hybrid. The overall build quality was a night and day difference. I miss that concertina, even though I now have an ICC Vintage that I very much enjoy.

[adamhuestis]

I have a clover.  It is wonderful.  They have a trade up plan.  You could buy a minstrel and trade up when ready.

[Daniel Hersh]

On 12/24/2025 at 3:35 PM, TimPiazza said:

I am located in southwest Indiana.

 

You might want to see if the restorer Greg Jowaisas has any Anglos to sell in your price range, since I believe he is in your general part of the country.

[Daniel Hersh]

11 hours ago, adamhuestis said:

I have a clover.  It is wonderful.  They have a trade up plan.  You could buy a minstrel and trade up when ready.

I don't think that particular trade is covered in their trade up plan: https://www.concertinaconnection.com/trade in program.htm