How Long Did It Take?

[Lawrence Reeves]

What historical data do we have about build times from Wheatestone, Jeffries, Lachenal? Just wondering how long it took with multiple builders working in"factory" shops of the late 1800's and into the 1920's from taking an order to delivery.

[Chris Drinkwater]

Well, if the length of time is anything like the chap giving my bathroom a makeover, weeks!

 

Chris

[Chris Timson]

The Dippers have told me it takes about 2 weeks for them to build a concertina from scratch, so as a rule of thumb you might say that the amount of effort that goes into a good concertina is about 1 man month. How that man month got divided up in an industry that depended heavily on piece work is another question entirely, and probably not answerable unless Geoff Crabb's records and experience can help.

 

Chris

[Lawrence Reeves]

I guess, I am assuming that "factory" workers built quantities of frames, ends, fretwork, bellows. At the time of order, chosen tuning, number of buttons, and reed tongues made. It might be a contrast to say how a single craftsmen made a violin, or a concert flute in entirety with the exception of key casting, or silver ring making.. We have ledgers showing sale date, or serial number. Probably, assume that the instruments made by Lachenal for shops to sell as house brand were built to fill orders, not as excess inventory. I have seen some of the branded Lachenals as rosewood, but most appear to have been mahogany.

[allan atlas]

LAWRENCE AND FOLKS: one place to start is the Wheatstone production books, though these give no indication of orders. . . . .allan

Edited January 24, 2008 by allan atlas