Wanted: Beginner Concertina.

[Chris Timson]

A quick part count? Ever peek at the bass side of an accordion with a Stradella bass? Lots of parts in that... yet accordions are a dime a dozen. Ish. Just saying.

OK, I'll correct my statement. Lots of parts in a small space - leastways I've never seen an accordion with a Stradella bass that measured 6 1/2 inches across the ends ...

 

Chris

[JimLucas]

Concertinas are expensive beasts, unfortunately,and a quick part count shows you why.

A quick part count? Ever peek at the bass side of an accordion with a Stradella bass? Lots of parts in that... yet accordions are a dime a dozen.

Accordions are a dime a dozen (except for really good ones in really good condition) because they were once much more popular than they are now, and there's a large surplus of them lying around and not yet put on the tip/garbage dump or sunk to the bottom of the ocean.

 

Fifty years ago -- give or take -- the same was apparently true of concertinas, though both the supply and demand were much smaller than is now the case with accordions. Fresh-made concertinas at the time might have cost a hundred dollars or so because the parts and labor had to be paid for (same as today), but many a fine used instrument was sold for a tenner or less, and others were literally thrown away (even though they take up much less space than even a small accordion). In comparative terms, "nobody" wanted concertinas, and buyers were extremely hard to find. Sellers were happy to get a few pounds or dollars, if the alternative was getting nothing at all.

 

Since then, the demand for concertinas has grown faster than the supply, and prices have risen accordingly. The same could yet happen with accordions, but to soak up the existing supply of "excess" instruments would require a massive increase in demand. Certainly more than 10 times the current concertina demand, but I don't know whether 100 times or 1000 times is closer to the mark.

[KerryFrank]

Hi

 

I recently developed an interest in playing the concertina. This may or may not last but as an adult I have developed a bit more stick-to-itness. Anyway, I was going to buy a Hohner on ebay for $120 shipped but through reading these forums have found that it may not be a great idea. Does anyone have or is it even possible to get an instrument I will enjoy spending time with for $150 or less?

 

Thanks

Greg

 

 

Greg,

eBay just came up with a listing for a Bastari C/D 30button for $100. (6 days left on the auction, in the US, #110152167554) It's certainly NOT top of the line, but a moderate quality for a cheap price. As one of our other members mentioned, being a 30b it has the incedentals for it's major key. (Cmaj) I also agree that unless the "tina bug has bitten", start moderate quality and if you end up not sticking with it, you're no heavily invested. The low quality (like a mass-produced Chinese) ones will be of cruddy quality and more apt to discourage you than give you some experience on new instrument.

[Greg Shaw]

Thanks Kerry and all the others who posted here.

 

I ended up deciding to go with an enlish and bought a used Jackie from a member here. We will see how it goes. Now at least I know where to go for information and inspiration. This forum is a great resource.

 

Thanks

Greg

 

Hi

 

I recently developed an interest in playing the concertina. This may or may not last but as an adult I have developed a bit more stick-to-itness. Anyway, I was going to buy a Hohner on ebay for $120 shipped but through reading these forums have found that it may not be a great idea. Does anyone have or is it even possible to get an instrument I will enjoy spending time with for $150 or less?

 

Thanks

Greg

 

 

Greg,

eBay just came up with a listing for a Bastari C/D 30button for $100. (6 days left on the auction, in the US, #110152167554) It's certainly NOT top of the line, but a moderate quality for a cheap price. As one of our other members mentioned, being a 30b it has the incedentals for it's major key. (Cmaj) I also agree that unless the "tina bug has bitten", start moderate quality and if you end up not sticking with it, you're no heavily invested. The low quality (like a mass-produced Chinese) ones will be of cruddy quality and more apt to discourage you than give you some experience on new instrument.