Greg Jowaisas Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 In a topic about the Wheatstone ledger annotations the designation "81 fret" came up. I have a concertina with this ledger description that I took to mean fretwork between the buttons a la Edeophones. But no less of an authority than Chris Algar was not sure what the 81 fret notation means. In an attempt to decipher what that designation signifies I'd like cnet members to respond if you have a Wheatstone made after 1913 (serial #26300 or up) that has fretwork cut between the buttons. Or if you have an instrument that is described in the ledgers as having 81 frets even if it does not have fretwork between the buttons. Of course if someone already knows what the 81 frets ledger notation means we'll take an immediate answer and end to this investigation. Thanks for your help. Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nils Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 Aeola 28317 Nils Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Jowaisas Posted December 4, 2007 Author Share Posted December 4, 2007 Nils, Does your Aeola have fretwork between the buttons? Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nils Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Yes. I could take a photo if it helps. Nils Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveS Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 I have a model 5A from 1919 S/N 28103 with frets cut between the buttons. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Barnert Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 Yes. I could take a photo if it helps. Nils I'd like to see a photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Harrison Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 Here's mine...............S/N26664...............1914 Robin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobSay Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 In an attempt to decipher what that designation signifies I'd like cnet members to respond if you have a Wheatstone made after 1913 (serial #26300 or up) that has fretwork cut between the buttons. Wheatstone Aeola #26503 just appeared on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rare-C-Wheatstone-Co...1QQcmdZViewItem Ledger: http://www.horniman.info/DKNSARC/SD01/PAGES/D1P0610S.HTM "81 Fret" - picture shows cutout fretwork. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Jowaisas Posted February 14, 2008 Author Share Posted February 14, 2008 Rob, Thanks for the links and keen observation. #26503 indeed has the 81 fret ledger designation and the fretwork between the buttons. It is still inconclusive to me whether "81 frets" means fret work between the buttons. (A few examples of instruments submitted by cnetters have had the fret work between the buttons but no "81 fret" designation in the ledgers. Hard to tell at this point whether this is a notation omission or something else.) But every piece of evidence helps. Thanks again for noticing, Rob! Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazbo Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 In an attempt to decipher what that designation signifies I'd like cnet members to respond if you have a Wheatstone made after 1913 (serial #26300 or up) that has fretwork cut between the buttons. Wheatstone Aeola #26503 just appeared on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rare-C-Wheatstone-Co...1QQcmdZViewItem Ledger: http://www.horniman.info/DKNSARC/SD01/PAGES/D1P0610S.HTM "81 Fret" - picture shows cutout fretwork. Rob How much would this concertina have cost new? My work colleague asked and I guessed at £15-20. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Jowaisas Posted February 14, 2008 Author Share Posted February 14, 2008 Concertina.com: http://www.concertina.com/pricelists/wheat...t-Eng-c1915.pdf 18-19 GBP !! I'll take a dozen please! Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 (edited) How much would this concertina have cost new? My work colleague asked and I guessed at £15-20. Here's the trick to find out: find the serial number in the ledgers in the Horniman Museum: http://www.horniman.info/DKNSARC/SD01/PAGES/D1P0610S.HTM Here you find it's a "No. 17, octo black 48 keys 81 frets", produced in summer 1914. The nearest known Wheatstone pricelist is from 1915: http://www.concertina.com/pricelists/wheat...t-Eng-c1915.pdf A standard No.17 cost £ 18/s10. #26503 maybe a little more for the fancier fretwork.... So £15-20 was a good guess. But how long someone had to work for that kind of money?.......... Edited to add: Less words make Greg a faster poster. Edited February 14, 2008 by Leonard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Drinkwater Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Has anyone who owns one, counted up the frets? Do they total 81 in number? Or why are they referred to as 81 frets? Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Jowaisas Posted February 15, 2008 Author Share Posted February 15, 2008 (edited) Get out your magnifying glass, Chris and start counting! I quickly counted more than 90 fret openings. Stephen Chambers thought the shape of the fret work might have inspired the "81" designation. I'm still looking for answers. Greg Edited February 15, 2008 by Greg Jowaisas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazbo Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Thanks for the responses (and how to find out prices). Even more of a guess but I'd think that this would be at least a month or two's wages for an unskilled worker - those that hadn't joined up by then. I don't know why but I've got £3 per week as a goodish wage in those days in my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Dunk Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Seems a bit too obvious and I can't imagine there's any way to confirm or disprove the idea, but is it possible that the fret pattern was designed in 1881? Perhaps it was even shelved at the time as being too intricate or impractical. Just a thought. Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Possible explanation: On a 48 keys instrument with fretwork in between the keys, there are 17 extra holes on the right hand side and 16 on the left hand side. This means there are 48+17+16=81 holes in the key area. Or are there any 56K wheatstones with the "81 frets" designation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Or are there any 56K wheatstones with the "81 frets" designation? I checked: several 56 keys with 81 frets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now