Jeff H Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 I am currently considering adding to my free reed collection. Very spefically something small and portable to be toted around on a bike or hike. I have limited concertina experience but have owned a few including a Wheatstone English A 38 button Jeffires and a modest C/G Lachenal I have owned over 50 button accordions , 1 row, 2 row, 2 1/2 row and 3 row. Among those are many Hohners, 6 Castagnaris, 2 Serenellinis, etc I am currently playing 1 rows and an archaic but very cool 2 1/2 row D/G vintage 1880 brought to the US by my Great Grandfather.... I have limited C#/D and B/C experience all the rest were true diatonics...in the 4th (5th) apart sense... I want something different. I have reduced the options to : Morse Ceili in G/D.. I really like the accordion reeds and the playability...and they are USA made.. and I consder C/G to be a tad high pitched... or Another Castagnari Lilly, likely in C#/D but other keys could be considered. both of which would create an interesting new learning experience. I favor American fiddle tunes and.. Western Swing ! a little Quebec and a smattering of Irish Trad So , based on that limited information... any suggestions or remarks I am truly open to options. Thanks Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m3838 Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 I am truly open to options. Well, if you truly open, how about nice Weltmeister with durall comb? Or cylindric Suzuki? Or double reeded Hohner, you can have them in any tuning, including some very cool semi-chromatic. Valveless Weltmeister Chromatic 10 hole is stupendous, you can bend on it and it's chromatic. Choices are endless and the cost is minimal. You can have all of them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHzC8YAuN2I...feature=related The harmonicas, not the girls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theo Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Took the words right out of my mouth Misha, but I was going to link to . Listening to that clip it's hard to believe that all that sound comes just from harmonicas. Jeff, I'm sure you have considered harmonicas, but how about a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Dunk Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 And then there's this... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 (edited) Hi Jeff Castagnari Giordy? or a Schylling toy? They're small. Thanks Leo Edited June 6, 2009 by Leo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marien Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 How about a Hohner Lilliput melodeon? It has been designed to fit a bagpack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff H Posted June 7, 2009 Author Share Posted June 7, 2009 I own 27 harmonicas within that bunch are Lee Oskars, Special 20's Gloden Melodies, Delta Frost and a Chromeeta 10 and a 280 retuned and upgraded by none other than Dick Gardner ( the last Harmonicat) 2 Hohner Tremolo one in C and 1 in D I prefer to push and pull than suck and blow I do not care for the Lilliput.. Giordy is too small I have about 6 small "toy" chinese accordions which I have modded. I would like tio make music not relieve broedom at the expense of my sensibilities. I'll figure it out, I have time. Thanks Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catty Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Seems like after some 77 assorted boxes and harps you're hard pressed to find something new and satisfying. I don't think I saw a duet on your list of "been there/done that" instruments...perhaps a duet then? Personally, I find the fiddle and EC satisfying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglo-Irishman Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Jeff, I'm sure you have considered harmonicas, but how about a Jeff, I'd second that. The portable free-reed instrument for the free-reeder who's tried everything. OTOH if you've already got some harmonicas, you're not going to find anything more portable, either with or without free reeds Cheers, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill N Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 I own 27 harmonicas within that bunch are Lee Oskars, Special 20's Gloden Melodies, Delta Frost and a Chromeeta 10 and a 280 retuned and upgraded by none other than Dick Gardner ( the last Harmonicat) 2 Hohner Tremolo one in C and 1 in D I prefer to push and pull than suck and blow I do not care for the Lilliput.. Giordy is too small I have about 6 small "toy" chinese accordions which I have modded. I would like tio make music not relieve broedom at the expense of my sensibilities. I'll figure it out, I have time. Thanks Jeff Well then,given the above, and your initial thought; " Morse Ceili in G/D.. I really like the accordion reeds and the playability...and they are USA made.. " I would encorage you to go in that direction. I have one, it's very light, and I find it as easy to play as some vintage and more expensive modern boxes that I've tried. And having seen and heard Jody Kruskal play his, I know what it's capable of in more skilled hands. And mine has been travelling on the back of my bike since October (through a Canadian winter!) with no ill effects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff H Posted June 7, 2009 Author Share Posted June 7, 2009 (edited) 77 assorted boxes and harps, perhaps; But I think the accordions come to about 53, concertinas, 3 and though I currently own 27 harmonicas I have also owned about another dozen Chromatics including Hohner 280.s 270s, CX-12's, Huangs, amnd 2 Hering Opus....plus another 20-30 diatonics... they come and go. As to the HARMONETTA. no on a few fronts A. Appears to be a mouthful ; bulbous looking contraption awkward at minimum ... B. Requires suck and blow C. Am not wanting to creat a "novellty act" for a travelling carnival BillN, Thanks for relating hands on experience. Appreciate it very much. Edited June 7, 2009 by Jeff H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB-R Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 OK, small and portable. The Lilly is about 4lb, the concertina about 3lb ? Lilly is bigger, (in one dimension for sure!) Discussions elsewhere here on small concertinas and concertina weights. Marcus Traveller only 5" ATF C/G plus C# http://www.marcusmusic.co.uk/concertinas.html#newmodels not sure how that would come out price-wise at current exchange rates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laitch Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Quite a few fiddle tunes can be played on one of these that's set up like a one-row. Play western swing on it? It's not big enough to fend off incoming beer bottles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoNaYet Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Hi Jeff Castagnari Giordy? or a Schylling toy? They're small. Thanks Leo A pox on your house Leo, for showing me a Castagnari Giordy, I now have to start saving money. BTW anyone can tell me the story behind the GbH series of videos with a costumed player of the Giody? NNY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff H Posted June 7, 2009 Author Share Posted June 7, 2009 (edited) Thanks but no thanks on the Marcus , not that much smaller than the 30 button and I much prefer Morse design and workmanship. Western Swing is a far cry from the "behind the chicken wire", yeehah, Nashville sound I am referring to Bob Wills, Milton Brown, Doughboys , Ranger Doug and the Riders in the Sky, Asleep at the Wheel etc... fiddle based tunes with jazz lines No Twang Bang Edited June 7, 2009 by Jeff H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill N Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Thanks but no thanks on the Marcus , not that much smaller than the 30 button and I much prefer Morse design and workmanship. Western Swing is a far cry from the "behind the chicken wire", yeehah, Nashville sound I am referring to Bob Wills, Milton Brown, Doughboys , Ranger Doug and the Riders in the Sky, Asleep at the Wheel etc... fiddle based tunes with jazz lines No Twang Bang I play along to about 1/2 a dozen tunes on "Brownie Special" on the Morse GD. The Daddy of Western Swing! Westphalia Waltz sounds great too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff H Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 Cool on the "Brownie Special"...... and Westphalia Waltz is one of my all time favorite tunes.. matter of fact I have a copy of the sheet music right here. It also sounds great on chromatic harmonica paired with guitar as a duo. Thanks Bill. BTW The Riders in the Sky favor Bb and Eb for many of their tunes.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twisper Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 77 assorted boxes and harps, perhaps;But I think the accordions come to about 53, concertinas, 3 and though I currently own 27 harmonicas I have also owned about another dozen Chromatics including Hohner 280.s 270s, CX-12's, Huangs, amnd 2 Hering Opus....plus another 20-30 diatonics... they come and go. As to the HARMONETTA. no on a few fronts A. Appears to be a mouthful ; bulbous looking contraption awkward at minimum ... B. Requires suck and blow C. Am not wanting to creat a "novellty act" for a travelling carnival Have you a singing voice? Considered whistling, perhaps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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