Jeffries English wanted !

[Jas pen-low]

Hello Guys and Gals ! 
 

I’ve been keeping my eye out for a Jeffries English tenor and so far have had no luck ! 
My goal is to track down one to have as my forever box, something I can travel the world with. 
If anyone has any leads on this quest I’d be In your debt! 
 

cheers, 

Jas 

[Geoff Wooff]

Such  a  thing  is  a  real  rarity  and  , though  I  wish  you  luck  finding  one,  I  would  advise  against  it  as a practical  instrument. 

About  35  years  ago  I  had  a  48 Treble  Jeffries  which  would  have  been  a  fine  instrument  when  it  was  made,  probably  100+  years  ago.  Unfortunately  the Jeffries  action,  which  in  an Anglo  does  not   have  to  cope  with  much  sideways  thrust,  was  not  up  to  the  task  for  an  English and  far  inferior  to  that  of  a Wheatstone.  I  have  seen  the  insides  of  many  Jeffries Anglos  and  worn out  action  is  very  common.

Yes  the  reeds  and  the  tone  spoke  in  that  distinct  Jeffries  fashion  and  perhaps  with  a  rebuilt  or  new  action  it  could  be  a  fine  instrument.

Happy  searching.

Edited March 11 by Geoff Wooff

[David Barnert]

48 minutes ago, Geoff Wooff said:

Unfortunately  the Jeffries  action,  which  in  an Anglo  does  not   have  to  cope  with  much  sideways  thrust,  was  not  up  to  the  task  for  an  English and  far  inferior  to  that  of  a Wheatstone.

 

Sideways thrust? Please explain. 🫤

[conzertino]

You say tenor? A tenor plays a fifth below a treble. Or do you mean a 48 key tenor-treble? I have both a EE tenor Aeola und a ME 48 key tenor-treble Aeola for sale. The ME one was custom-made for Alf Edwards and is the finest box in that range I have ever seen...

[Geoff Wooff]

2 hours ago, David Barnert said:

 

Sideways thrust? Please explain. 🫤

For  the  most  part  when  playing  an  Anglo,  or    Duet, the   fingers  press  the  buttons   fairly  perpendicular,  in  line  with  the  button's  up  and  down  motion .  On  the  English  this  is  also  true  in  the  middle  range  but  if  one  is    using  notes  at  the  extremities  of  the  keyboard , or  playing  wide  spread  chords,  it  is  often  necessary  to  access  buttons  with  a  finger  at  an  obique  angle.

The  attached  photo  shows  an  extreme  case  but   with  a  worn  mechanism  buttons  will  jamb.

Edited March 11 by Geoff Wooff

[RAc]

Thanks for the explanation, Geoff, but doesn't this also hold true for larger duets, say, 55+ Cranes? I believe it does for mine. Or is that observation owed to the specific EC bracing geometry (thumb strap and pinky rest)?

[Geoff Wooff]

Yes  indeed  RAc,

I've  never  tried  a  big  Crane  but  the  top  of  a Maccann  can  and  the  Crane  could  have  simliar  problems.

 

However  the    Jeffries with  their  round wire  action  levers,  squashed  flat  at  the  pivot  point  are  prone  to  wear  more  than  Wheatstone's.