Steel V Brass Reeds

[Ray]

I've seen references that steel reeds are brighter and louder, brass more mellow, and that brass reeds go out of tune quicker if they are driven hard.

 

I've heard a brass-reeded Wheatstone and it certainly had a soft mellow tone, but in practice how much of a problem is the tuning thing (especially for a second instrument that wouldn't be used when volume is required), and are there any other factors to bear in mind if considering buying one?

 

Thanks,

Ray

[Greg Jowaisas]

Ray,

My experience with tuning and reconditioning several dozen brass reed concertinas is that they stay in tune if you don't ask them to do what they aren't designed to do. As you have suggested they are best at a lower volume than many steel reeded instruments. If you took one to a large, fast session and continually overblew the reeds trying to be heard and to keep up you might indeed compromise the tuning.

 

However, most brass reed instruments are sweet sounding, with less conflicting overtones and as a bonus lend themselve to sweeter chords and less jarring 3rds.

 

And a well made one, with brass reeds that have close tolerances like many of the Wheatstones and some of the better Lachenals can be as responsive as steel reed instruments and sometimes nearly as loud!

 

The trick is finding one with good reeds. If it is in decent playing condition you will know from the response. If it is on ebay or compromised it is more of a gamble. Look for reeds that have little space between tongue and frame.

 

They can be delightful sounding concertinas.

 

 

Greg

[d.elliott]

I've seen references that steel reeds are brighter and louder, brass more mellow, and that brass reeds go out of tune quicker if they are driven hard.

 

I've heard a brass-reeded Wheatstone and it certainly had a soft mellow tone, but in practice how much of a problem is the tuning thing (especially for a second instrument that wouldn't be used when volume is required), and are there any other factors to bear in mind if considering buying one?

 

Thanks,

Ray

 

Greg is quite right, however there is a missconception that all brass reeded instruments are some sort of second grade instrument classification. Not true!

 

Lachenal made large quantities of an entry level grade of concertina of both the English & Anglo systems. These invariably had poorer toleranced brass reeds, fairly plain mahogany fretwork and coloured keys (buttons) on english and plain bone keys on Anglos.

 

However many very good grade instruments were also made by the main makers using close toleranced brass reeds. A lot of players chose brass reeds as a preferred option for their tone, and as a parlour or perhaps singing instruments. These concertinas had all the quality and refinements of their steel reeded counterparts.

 

Yes brass age hardens, goes brittle, can move to flat and fatigue fail, poorly made ones with course filing marks on the brass reeds from tuning; even more so. I would suggest you look for a finely fretted instrument, moulded or scribed action box edgings, felt bushed keys etc. and your brass version will be a top quality instrument just the same as if it was steel reeded, albeit with the mellow tones and fineness of the brass reed tongue.

 

Dave

[allan atlas]

RAY: i often play on a brass-reed instrument from the 1850s. . . . .it's fine.................Allan

[tony]

I have a George Case EC with brass reeds and bushed ivory buttons, which I bought from Chris Alger. Had it about four years now and have played almost every day since I got it. A wonderful instrument, wild horses couldn't drag it from me.