Lachenal English No. 55168, For Repair

[Dirge]

This Lachenal needs a caring home to treat it right; it's very leaky, particularly from a crack in the pad-board which, from the look of the black arround it has been gradually getting worse over many years. The board itself appears flat and a repair looks simple enough, to my eyes at least! (see photo). The bellows (4 fold) has cracked looking corners of which at least 2 need a patch, but the valley folds and gussets all look ok, if a bit dry; the photo shows the worst side.

 

The good bits are that the reeds are all there, complete and in modern tune (3 of them have been replaced with steel). The valves and pads look fairly new. The reedpans look fine. The ends are almost complete, missing one piece of fretwork only, to the left of the manufacturers label (there's a couple of splits to glue here). The thumb straps are sound and the screws still bite! (as do all the end bolts). I've a definite feeling that it's just the air leaks that let this little brute down. The box actually has a key, and, again has been worked over; the handle has been neatly replaced by a brass one as have the hinges. The mahogany is in good order with nothing worse than the odd scuff and the original velvet lining is still there.

 

I feel that this instrument may well have been restored in relatively recent times and then neglected and that by crossing my palm with £240, gluing the padboard and patching the bellows you could produce a useable instrument quickly and cheaply. Alternatively I'll swap it for an even more manky duet!

 

 

[thetownpiper]

Is the concertina still up for sale?

Dave

[Dirge]

No, sorry, it was 'snapped up' at a local flea market a while ago. I'll be selling a duet soon, but from what you've said before that would be over budget and over the top for your needs! Keep looking; indeed why not post a wanted ad?