yager Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 I'm new here and, like many, looking into getting my first concertina (nothing amazing, just enough to get the workings down before I invest in a decent instrument). These(link below) seem to be showing up quite a bit now and I'm wondering if anyone here has checked one over. http://cgi.ebay.com/Concertina-Accordion-3...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/Concertina-Accordion-3...1QQcmdZViewItem The fret work is more open on the second but They seem to be the same model. At this point my other options are a Hohner d40 and Merano ad-222 in local shops, both have a few notes pretty far off key but are otherwise in good shape. Any advice would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Hersh Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 I would avoid these. They are most likely Chinese-made no-names and will probably reflect poor workmanship and quality control. Your best bet for a new low-end 30-button Anglo at this point is a Stagi from Button Box (see http://www.buttonbox.com/stocklist.shtml#anglo30 ) Stagi's quality control is not that consistent either and Button Box will warranty the instrument and ensure that it's in good working shape, which so far as I know is a service that no other dealer will offer. If you want to spend less money, a used Stagi or Bastari (same basic instrument, older name) such as http://cgi.ebay.com/Anglo-Concertina-30-Ke...itemZ7393294405 would probably be a better idea than the concertinas you're looking at. And if you're willing to wait, the Rochelle concertina from Concertina Connection is likely to be a good bet for a low-end Anglo, but it's not available for sale yet, though expected soon. This topic has often been discussed here before and others are likely to offer their comments too. Daniel I'm new here and, like many, looking into getting my first concertina (nothing amazing, just enough to get the workings down before I invest in a decent instrument). These(link below) seem to be showing up quite a bit now and I'm wondering if anyone here has checked one over. http://cgi.ebay.com/Concertina-Accordion-3...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/Concertina-Accordion-3...1QQcmdZViewItem The fret work is more open on the second but They seem to be the same model. At this point my other options are a Hohner d40 and Merano ad-222 in local shops, both have a few notes pretty far off key but are otherwise in good shape. Any advice would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Read Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 I believe Stephen Chambers is developing an economy anglo. You can contact him through the member's list. I'd echo Daniel's advise to avoid the Chinese ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlfinkels Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 As a complete novice, I'll add my thoughts and decision points. It sounds like you are going the same path as all us "newbies". First and foremost, read everything you can on concertina.net. There are many helpful postings for us newbies with advice from people with years of experience. It pays to listen to them. Don't be afraid to send PM's to folks and ask for advice. The worst they can do is ignore you or say they are too busy to help. The best is they will provide guidance and sound advice. Secondly, set a price range and be prepared to pay more than you originally budgetted. Quality concertinas cost money. It's not like a tin whistle or low-end flute, which can be wonderful starter instruments. A good beginners instrument is going to cost more than you thought, but not as much as you think, if that makes any sense. Again, listen to those who have been there. Third, listen to the clips on the c.net tunes page. Find instruments that have a sound you like. I favored the more vintage instruments, but others prefer the modern ones. It's a personal choice. Fourth, determine what style(s) you like and want to emulate. I personally like the Clare sound of Kitty Hayes, so that helped determine my choice. Ask for advice from those who play those styles whether on Anglo, English, Duet or other style instrument. Now, to choose an instrument... I started looking at eBay for a beginners instrument thinking I could save money, but after reading what those much more experienced had to say I decided to skip anything on eBay unless it was explicitly recommended from people I have grown to trust. The bottom line of instruments on eBay is they are an unknown quantity, particullarly to the unskilled. The low priced ones are just that, low end instruments. As a beginner starting on those would potentially lead to frustration early on. I don't need a top-of-the-line instrument, but I didn't want to be destined to fail because I cheaped out either. I then started looking at a "ButtonBoxed" Stagi as my beginners instrument. There are some good reasons for choosing these if you are on a tight budget. The ButtonBox folks are skilled at fixing the quirks of the Stagi and making them much more playable. Common advice says you would likely get 1-2 years out of a Stagi, then trade up. An alternative to the Stagi was a used low-end vintage instrument. I personally chose to start on a 20-button Lachenal since I liked the sound and it was recommended to me by a number of skilled players. I paid more than I planned, but the extra $200 or so will be well worth it the long run. I'll likely trade-up or buy a new one in a year or two, but I wanted to get the most bang for the buck and the sound I wanted. You can also find some well-used modern instruments, but they will tend to be in the $1,000++ USD range. You'll get a great instrument for the money though. No matter what choice you make, start saving your pennies right away because you will likely become infected with that dread disease known as Concertinaitis. This ailment is characterized by the desire to get better instruments at the expense of things like food, mortgage payments, car payments, anniversary gifts and other useless personal expenditures. Concertinaitis has been known to cause hair loss and divorce in the final stages of the illness. The sooner you start saving, the less painful the more advanced stages of the disease will be. Good luck in your choice. -jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 No matter what choice you make, start saving your pennies right away because you will likely become infected with that dread disease known as Concertinaitis. This ailment is characterized by the desire to get better instruments at the expense of things like food, mortgage payments, car payments, anniversary gifts and other useless personal expenditures. Concertinaitis has been known to cause hair loss and divorce in the final stages of the illness. The sooner you start saving, the less painful the more advanced stages of the disease will be. Good luck in your choice. -jeff Hear Hear! Concertinaitis is also known as CCBD - Cumpolsory Concertina Buying Disease. I upgraded from my Stagi to a Marcus 2 weeks after getting my Stagi, the first Concertina I've ever put my hands on.. If you can, skip the Stagi and go for the best you can afford!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill_mchale Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 I am afraid I am going to have to agree with everyone else who posted here. There really are no good student instruments available in the concertina world... or rather there are not good cheap instruments. The difference between the best Stagis and the hybrid instruments (instruments using accordion reeds but using concertina type construction) is so vast as to not even be funny. The best Stagis are probably the cheapest you want to go and they are still not that great. If it is at all possible you will want to stretch to a hybrid instrument. To begin with not only are these instruments vastly more playable and more responsive, but they also hold their value better. This will be particularly true if you can find a used hybrid. Say you pick up a used hybrid for $1300 and then decide you don't want to play the Anglo... you will be able to sell it for pretty much the same price you paid. Stagis on the other hand are only rarely sold used... though if you find one used for $100 or so it might be worth giving it a try. -- Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Hersh Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 We're going over well-trod territory here... But the implied statement that there's no real demand for used Stagi/Bastaris is not accurate. The one that I mentioned earlier, a garden-variety older 30-button Bastari, is now at $200 on ebay with 2 days remaining in the auction, and this isn't atypical. My own first 30-button was a used Bastari, bought 25 years ago and easily re-sold a few years later at the same price I paid for it. Button Box sells good-condition used Stagis for prices not much lower than new, which is a further indication that there's a used market out there. A used hybrid for $1300 would be a very good deal in today's market--a used Edgley just sold on Ebay for $1700. The hybrids are fine instruments, but not everyone is willing or able to make that kind of financial commitment for a first concertina. A Stagi is definitely a learner's concertina, but it's a reasonable place to start for someone whose financial resources are limited or who's not sure how far they're going to go with concertina. Having said all that, there's a good chance that the Rochelle will be a better bet than a Stagi, but you can't buy one yet. Stepping down from my soapbox now, Daniel I am afraid I am going to have to agree with everyone else who posted here. There really are no good student instruments available in the concertina world... or rather there are not good cheap instruments. The difference between the best Stagis and the hybrid instruments (instruments using accordion reeds but using concertina type construction) is so vast as to not even be funny. The best Stagis are probably the cheapest you want to go and they are still not that great. If it is at all possible you will want to stretch to a hybrid instrument. To begin with not only are these instruments vastly more playable and more responsive, but they also hold their value better. This will be particularly true if you can find a used hybrid. Say you pick up a used hybrid for $1300 and then decide you don't want to play the Anglo... you will be able to sell it for pretty much the same price you paid. Stagis on the other hand are only rarely sold used... though if you find one used for $100 or so it might be worth giving it a try. -- Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yager Posted February 28, 2006 Author Share Posted February 28, 2006 Right, I've been through most of the usual form lurking and, though I would much prefer to be breaking in a Tedrow or Geuns-Wakker model, my budget is what it is. I'm currently in college as a metalsmith so a $2k disposable income is well past the horizon, but I should have most of what’s needed to fabricate replacement buttons, plates, etc and get a bottom tier instrument (functionally) acceptable. All that said, it can't hurt to give the Rochelle a few months and a Stagi is certainly the safer fallback. Many thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Rose Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 No matter what choice you make, start saving your pennies right away because you will likely become infected with that dread disease known as Concertinaitis. This ailment is characterized by the desire to get better instruments at the expense of things like food, mortgage payments, car payments, anniversary gifts and other useless personal expenditures. Concertinaitis has been known to cause hair loss and divorce in the final stages of the illness. The sooner you start saving, the less painful the more advanced stages of the disease will be. Good luck in your choice. -jeff Hear Hear! Concertinaitis is also known as CCBD - Cumpolsory Concertina Buying Disease. I upgraded from my Stagi to a Marcus 2 weeks after getting my Stagi, the first Concertina I've ever put my hands on.. If you can, skip the Stagi and go for the best you can afford!!!!! No matter what choice you make, start saving your pennies right away because you will likely become infected with that dread disease known as Concertinaitis. This ailment is characterized by the desire to get better instruments at the expense of things like food, mortgage payments, car payments, anniversary gifts and other useless personal expenditures. Concertinaitis has been known to cause hair loss and divorce in the final stages of the illness. The sooner you start saving, the less painful the more advanced stages of the disease will be. Good luck in your choice. -jeff Hear Hear! Concertinaitis is also known as CCBD - Cumpolsory Concertina Buying Disease. I upgraded from my Stagi to a Marcus 2 weeks after getting my Stagi, the first Concertina I've ever put my hands on.. If you can, skip the Stagi and go for the best you can afford!!!!! "itis" meaning an inflamation? e.g. colitis, gastritis, etc. what is being inflamed ? i think a "disease" has to cause some sort of discomfort or malfunction in the body. isnt there a doctor in the house? i guess ive always considered it some sort of addiction, perhaps a musical instrument junkie. then again, does addiction always have to lead to some sort of catastophe, or catharsis? im not sure. yager, it sounds like your a musician already. im all for getting a decent instrument if you can, even if you have to wait a while. id really check out the "concertinas for sale" discussion topic at this forum; there's some good stuff available now. best of luck on that... cheers ChrisRose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimLucas Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Concertinaitis is also known as CCBD - Cumpolsory Concertina Buying Disease. I upgraded from my Stagi to a Marcus 2 weeks after getting my Stagi, the first Concertina I've ever put my hands on.. If you can, skip the Stagi and go for the best you can afford!!!!!"itis" meaning an inflamation? e.g. colitis, gastritis, etc. what is being inflamed ? Instead of "concertinitis", maybe it should be "concertinism", as in "alcoholism"? It does seem to be an addiction. There's ambiguity there, though, with other uses of the "-ism" suffix, e.g., in "socialism". Well, at least here on Concertina.net the concertina addiction is a very social "ism". i think a "disease" has to cause some sort of discomfort or malfunction in the body. The "dis-ease" isn't always to the one who carries it. Addicts often get pleasure from their addictions. It's the people around them who suffer. Just ask the families of some of our members. isnt there a doctor in the house? Sorry. He's taken his concertina off to the local session. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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