My New Suttner

[Rod Thompson]

Well - I have had my new Suttner for just over a fortnight now, & I thought I had better report back.

 

She is a 31 button C/G wooden ended, Jeffies layout.

 

First the positives:

She is the fastest, most responsive little beast I have ever handled!

Sweet clear tone - bright, but never harsh. (I claim credit here for asking for wooden ends).

Great dynamic range. I think it can play so quietly because the reeds are very consistent in starting to sound. Thus I can squeeze quite softly without the risk of a non-sound. But also quite LOUD! (I played "La Paloma" at a family get-together, and a small nephew was staring goggle-eyed with his fingers in his ears - he later asked his father if he could have one too)!

 

Now the negatives:

Hard to get my hands out of the straps. (Late to work again this morning).

I still love my other concertinas, but find it hard to get time to play them.

 

In Summary:

Congratulations to Jurgen - well worth the wait!!

 

( do you get the impression I'm happy? )

[Tina]

You do sound like a happy man

 

I got my Suttner 11 years ago - she's number 56. I was a happy girl back then (and still am )

 

Enjoy !

[bill_mchale]

Just curious, what are your other concertinas? Its always good (it least in my experience to have a base line to compare against. After all if your other concertinas were all cheap chinese concertinas, then what you said might also be true of Stagis (though I am sure that is not the case).

 

Anyway, congrats on you new Concertina. The few opportunites that I have had to try Suttners have convinced me that they are wonderful instrument and it is all that I can do to keep myself from putting a deposit in on a 38 button one myself .

 

--

Bill

[Rod Thompson]

Just curious, what are your other concertinas?

 

My name is Rod and I am a concertinaholic:

 

It is a long, sad story, and mainly my wife's fault. She bought me a Scholler 20 button.

Then, when that started breaking reeds, she bought me a Chinese 20 button (Milan).

From there it all started.

Before I knew it I had progressed to a Lachenal 30 button, but soon after put in my order for the Suttner 31 button.

Then, I had a 32 button G/D Kookaburra made for me (mainly for accompanying singing).

Then a 40 button Jeffries in Bb/F insisted I buy it. It had had a hard life, and was in bad condition, but Richard Evans put it back into very good shape.

Then, the Suttner came through. So it is certainly in good company.

 

Before the Suttner, I was about equal in my use of the Lach, The Kooka and the Jeffries. The choice being the key required, and the style of playing - e.g. for Irish music, the Lachenal.

Now - it remains to be seen which I turn to most often.

 

Will I sell the others?? Maybe, but not soon.

 

(Put down that deposit - then forget about it - you too might get a nice Christmas present in about 5 years).

[bill_mchale]

Just curious, what are your other concertinas?

 

My name is Rod and I am a concertinaholic:

 

It is a long, sad story, and mainly my wife's fault. She bought me a Scholler 20 button.

Then, when that started breaking reeds, she bought me a Chinese 20 button (Milan).

From there it all started.

Before I knew it I had progressed to a Lachenal 30 button, but soon after put in my order for the Suttner 31 button.

Then, I had a 32 button G/D Kookaburra made for me (mainly for accompanying singing).

Then a 40 button Jeffries in Bb/F insisted I buy it. It had had a hard life, and was in bad condition, but Richard Evans put it back into very good shape.

Then, the Suttner came through. So it is certainly in good company.

 

Before the Suttner, I was about equal in my use of the Lach, The Kooka and the Jeffries. The choice being the key required, and the style of playing - e.g. for Irish music, the Lachenal.

Now - it remains to be seen which I turn to most often.

 

Will I sell the others?? Maybe, but not soon.

 

(Put down that deposit - then forget about it - you too might get a nice Christmas present in about 5 years).

 

Not so sure Christmas would be the best time for it to arrive.. now in April... right after my tax refund comes in would be welcome .

 

--

Bill

[Chris Ghent]

Just curious, what are your other concertinas? Its always good (it least in my experience to have a base line to compare against. After all if your other concertinas were all cheap chinese concertinas, then what you said might also be true of Stagis (though I am sure that is not the case).

 

Then a 40 button Jeffries in Bb/F insisted I buy it. It had had a hard life, and was in bad condition, but Richard Evans put it back into very good shape.

 

If you want a perspective on Rod's instruments, when his Bf/F was in Richard Evan's workshop I had the pleasure of it, and can report it is not just any old Jeffries, it is a Jeffries to die for.

 

Chris