Duet To Anglo Conversion

[dpmccabe]

Is there a standard procedure for converting a Jeffires Duet to an Anglo? It seems to be done often enough. Can you just move around all the reeds or is there more to it?

[stuart estell]

I once had a conversation with Chris Algar about a conversion he'd done - I don't remember the ins and outs of it but do remember him saying that there was a certain amount of retuning and replacement of reeds done. I think I'm right in saying that our own Alan Day has converted a Jeffries Duet into an anglo too. I don't think it's an altogether reversible procedure. Is that right Al?

 

But... as a Jeffries Duet player I can't let this thread pass without saying that the idea of converting them into anglos does bother me a bit. I understand why someone would make the choice to do it, but there are so few of the things about that it does seem to be a shame.

Edited October 19, 2006 by stuart estell

[Greg Jowaisas]

Here is a link to an example of Nick Robertshaw's playing on his newly acquired Jeffries duet.

 

http://www.forepath.org/JeffriesDuet.mp3

 

I think it is a good argument that Jeffries duets need to be appreciated and played.

(Along with Michael Hebbert's tour de force: "The Rampin' Cat".)

 

One development that might help the cause is someone writing a tutorial for the instrument.

 

Come on now, Nick, Michael, John Vernon et al. Who is up to the task?

 

Greg

[Frank Edgley]

I know that when someone is in dire need of a concertina, one will do just about anything, but my experiences with converted Jeffries duets has not left me with a favourable impression. Jeffries instruments are considered by many to be the best vintage concertinas ever made. The problem I see with the conversion is that when the reeds are moved about, some of the reed chambers do not match the reed sizes very well, at all. So you may have a reed in a chamber designed for a larger reed. This type of situation creats an instrument with uneven tone. At least that's what I have observed on instruments that I have had in to do repairs. This negates the reason for wanting a Jeffries i.e. great tone. Then there's the issue of what to do with all the extra buttons. Do you try to copy an existing over-thirty button configuration? If memory serves me right, that is not always possible because the chambers in some situations is too small for the reeds which would need to be there. The ones I have seen have had the standard setup of 30 anglo buttons and a hodgepodge of other notes that were never used. There is also the problem of different button offset. i.e. the way the buttons on each row are offset to buttons on the other rows. It has been years since I have worked on such a beast, and these are my recollections. Someone out there may see things differently.

My advice is to leave the instrument as it is. If you must have an anglo with Jeffries reeds, better to have one made up using those reeds. I know this will make jeffries duet players upset, but if the reeds are rearranged it will ruin a good instrument, anyway, and it unlikely it would ever be reversed. At least this way it would become a great instrument. Don't get me wrong. I think it would be better for several reasons to leave it as it is and get the instrument into the hands of someone who would play it as a duet.

[Alan Day]

I once had a conversation with Chris Algar about a conversion he'd done - I don't remember the ins and outs of it but do remember him saying that there was a certain amount of retuning and replacement of reeds done. I think I'm right in saying that our own Alan Day has converted a Jeffries Duet into an anglo too. I don't think it's an altogether reversible procedure. Is that right Al?

 

But... as a Jeffries Duet player I can't let this thread pass without saying that the idea of converting them into anglos does bother me a bit. I understand why someone would make the choice to do it, but there are so few of the things about that it does seem to be a shame.

 

There were certain factors that prompted me to convert my Duet.Firstly the size shape and feel of the instrument makes it very difficult to play the two systems.I loved the Duet playing but after much practice I started to form the same chords when playing my Anglo.This meant that I had to make a choice Anglo or Duet and after twenty plus years at that time with hours of practice behind me I decided to stick with the Anglo.The Duet remained unplayed for about two years and I decided to do something about it.The easiest conversion without too much tuning was BpF,I made the accidentals the same as my other Anglos so I could pick up any of my concertinas and play them the same way.The bottom row I made high C so I can now play all three rows in much the same way.The difference is now the instrument is being played regularly.Up until recently I was playing with a trombone player in Bf and F and it was perfect for that.The conversion was very difficult,but it could be converted back again should anybody wish.The tone of the instrument is wonderful and a pleasure to play and listen to. The conversion was an acheivment but I can certainly understand the horror of the conversion to many and I really have to agree that I would not recommend the practice.

A pint you owe me Stuart.

Al

[David Barnert]

As a duet player (Hayden, not Jeffries) allow me to join the chorus: Don't do it!

[Robin Harrison]

Not only a tutor for the Jeffries duet, but another recording as well. Rampin' Cat is not available ( I've been looking for 5 yrs plus)

Surely Big Nick is the man.........he's a master of the duet ( He can play from Whiter Shade of Pale to the Pachebel Cannon .) I believe he is retiring to Sussex so should have plenty of time to indulge us ? Eh , Nick ??

Ever Hopeful, Robin

[Alan Day]

In the New Year (after English) I will be working on Duet International which Nick has agreed to do me some recordings as have Iris Bishop,Gavin Atkin,Mick Hebbert,Tim Laycock,Jim Bayliss, Dave Barnert, Ralph Jordon,Dave Cornell, Stuart Estell ,with archives of Prof McCann,Brig Archie Burgess,Ernest Rutterford .

There are other names who have agreed to record and I have many more to invite.

I hope it will be worth waiting for.

Al

Missed off Jean Megly and Alexander Prince

Edited October 20, 2006 by Alan Day

[stuart estell]

A pint you owe me Stuart.

 

With pleasure!

[Paul Woloschuk]

...Duet International

? ...will it be generally available Alan?

Edited October 29, 2006 by wolosp