Anglo Concertina Questions

[ndlxs]

Howdy;

Although I am an experienced musician on other instruments, I am more or less a beginner on anglo concertina. I do love the bubbly sound of the anglo playing irish music, and my goal is to play some of the tunes I play on other instruments up to speed on the concertina.

 

My current instrument is a metal ended Bastari similar to the one shown here.

I can play things like hornpipes and airs decently, but tunes like Man of the House (reel) are beyond me for several reasons, one of them skill level, the other, the concertina.

 

Having no experienced concertina players in my area (Sacramento, CA) I have no way of trying a quality anglo.

 

I wanted to confirm that part of the speed issue is my concertina, with loose sloppy action. It looks to me that there are about 3 quality levels of concertinas:

the sub-1000$ concertina, including the one I have and the Rochelles, Stagis, etc.; the 1500-2000$ concertinas, including the Button box Morse concertini, the Herrington brothers, the Homewood concertinas (although it looks like the list is $2250 here), and then finally the antiques in the 2500 up range.

 

What would folks recommend for a next step in concertina? What kind of difference in terms of playability are there between the sub 2K concertinas and the antiques?

 

Andy Alexis

www.offtocalifornia.com

[Jim Besser]

What would folks recommend for a next step in concertina? What kind of difference in terms of playability are there between the sub 2K concertinas and the antiques?

 

Andy Alexis

 

The difference in playability between a below-1000 Stagi like box and a good hybrid (1900-2300 or so, Morse, Tedrow, Edgley, Herrington) is huge. Night and day.

 

THe better hybrids are more playable than lower end or poorly set up vintage boxes (lower-quality lachenals, for example), on a par with most of the better ones, but this is highly subjective.

 

In my experience hybrids are more reliable, mechanically, less apt to require frequent adjustment and repair.

 

The biggest difference is sound; none of the hybrids has the pure concertina sound that is the hallmark of Irish concertina playing. That said, there are many (including some people I often play with) who prefer the sound of the good hybrids. I prefer the traditional sound, myself, but again, that part of it is subjective.

Edited November 4, 2008 by Jim Besser

[Azalin]

I agree hybrids are the best bang for the bucks. I'd say some of them even play as well as a good vintage.

 

To me, the sound of real concertina reeds is simply magical, compared to hybrid accordeon reeds. It's more than just the sound, but the frequencies of the chords, the mixture of different notes etc. It's hard to explain, but there's a richness and brightness unmatched by accordeon reeds.

 

But, if I had the choice, I'd do what I did. Start with a hybrid, then switch to a good vintage or a Dipper/Suttner/Caroll/Dickinson/etc. In term of playability, it wasnt a major switch, but the sound is totally different.

 

I personally think playability should be a priority over sound when you start playing, but then that's a personnal opinion, others might prefer harder to play instruments with real concertina sound.

[ndlxs]

I agree hybrids are the best bang for the bucks. I'd say some of them even play as well as a good vintage.

 

So, by hybrid, we are talking accordion reeds, rather than concertina reeds? I do think I know what you mean about the tone, the bell like clarity of someone like Noel Hill.

[Azalin]

I agree hybrids are the best bang for the bucks. I'd say some of them even play as well as a good vintage.

 

So, by hybrid, we are talking accordion reeds, rather than concertina reeds? I do think I know what you mean about the tone, the bell like clarity of someone like Noel Hill.

 

Yep that's it. They're also hybrid accordeon reeds because they are a bit modified, in my understanding, to be a bit closer to concertina reeds than standard accordeon reeds would be.

 

As for the concertina sound, yeah, listen to Noel Hill, Tim Collins, Edel Fox, etc, and the attributes of the sound is light years away from accordeon reeds, in my opinion. I couldnt describe why exactly I like it better, but I definitely do.

[Marien]

If you buy the best model there is (and treat it well) it will keep its value, and you will have the most of playing it.

[ndlxs]

If you buy the best model there is (and treat it well) it will keep its value, and you will have the most of playing it.

 

Thanks for the great advice, I think I will look at the 1900-2200 range for now. Next step is to sell some instruments to finance it so my wive doesn't have a heart attack. (Goodbye, Bastari!)

[Daniel Hersh]

Andy--

 

If you're willing to drive down to the Bay Area we've got dozens of players down here. We had a players gathering in September that drew 20 people and are working on planning another for either later this month or sometime in December.

 

Daniel

Having no experienced concertina players in my area (Sacramento, CA) I have no way of trying a quality anglo.

[pastlifeasakite]

yo andy! im currently posted up in good ol' sactown (don't let the texas location fool you) and plan on doing some heavy duty anglo-carolling this christmas if this sounds like something that interests you.

[ndlxs]

Andy--

 

If you're willing to drive down to the Bay Area we've got dozens of players down here. We had a players gathering in September that drew 20 people and are working on planning another for either later this month or sometime in December.

 

Daniel

Having no experienced concertina players in my area (Sacramento, CA) I have no way of trying a quality anglo.

 

I would be interested indeed, I sent you a private message with my email address.

[ndlxs]

yo andy! im currently posted up in good ol' sactown (don't let the texas location fool you) and plan on doing some heavy duty anglo-carolling this christmas if this sounds like something that interests you.

Yes, I would do that, I sent you a private message with my email.

[Daniel Hersh]

Though I'm partial to the concertina-reed sound myself, it's certainly possible for a skilled Irish-style player to get a fine sound out of a good accordion-reeded "hybrid" concertina. Have a listen to Asher Perkins's playing on Frank Edgley's site.

 

Daniel

 

I agree hybrids are the best bang for the bucks. I'd say some of them even play as well as a good vintage.

 

So, by hybrid, we are talking accordion reeds, rather than concertina reeds? I do think I know what you mean about the tone, the bell like clarity of someone like Noel Hill.