Welcome to the RU-vid channel of A C Norman & Co! We've been making, restoring, repairing and servicing all types of concertinas since 1976, and here you can see and hear some of the instruments we have made and worked on and find out a bit more about the different concertinas available. From time to time we will be advertising restored instruments for sale as well (have a look at our website for a fuller list and also our new instruments which we build to order). You can find us on Facebook too. Enjoy the music!
I don't think they are made to the same design, the finish on the Blackthorn is not particularly good, and the reeds are crudely waxed onto the the action section. The Flynn is advertised with Czech reeds and a reedpan. I have not tried one of those yet, so cannot comment on the build quality, sound nor finish.
The sound level is the same throughout, I'm afraid the spoken sections will be quieter, as the instruments when played are much louder. We never record concertinas at a different level, nor add any effects (as most other video makers have) in order to give a true sound and accurate representation.
It's always a difficult choice. I have a Crabb/Jeffries but I always enjoy the better made Lachenal. I think the hook action adds a lot to the sound as it's easier to make the empty space between notes that adds to the herky jerky sound that is unique to the concertina.
Hi Andrew. I have recently acquired a well used Stagi A18 English concertina. It’s my ‘travel” concertina and easier to tuck into my suitcase than my Wheatstone English. The little concertina has a couple of keys that get stuck open. I assume it’s because the little runner pieces below the buttons have lost their flex? One day, if you have time, I’d love to see a video in which you fix a similar problem.
Many of the old Stagi instruments have buttons fixed to the levers using a small eyelet, that means the buttons will change angle as the lever moves, and in theory the button will straighten up as it it released. All the parts in the action wear quickly, so it might need a bit of redesigning! The Stagi and Chinese concertinas that use lengths of rubber or plastic tubing to wedge the buttons on the levers (as shown in the videos) can be repaired when they perish, by using rubber and leather washers instead.
@@ACNormanCoConcertinaMakers Thank you. I am currently travelling but will examine the mechanism further when I am back at home. My little 18 button box came from eBay and even with it's problems, is really fun to play. Last year, I visited the little factory in Recanati where Concertine Italia is making instruments with many of the tools from the old Stagi/Bastari factories. The two women who are currently making the instruments have, I think, improved the quality of the instruments. I recently purchased a Hayden Duet from them and it's an awesome instrument. Here's a link to a video I made at the little factory. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-2ypFYSbA678.htmlsi=l8L8dLcnkiMw6iyM
Thanks a lot for this explanation! I have one of the Scarlatti models and noticed it took longer to close or open the bellows when holding the air button, comparing to a friend who was playing on a much more expensive concertina (a Jeffries or Suttner I think). This is the first time I saw how the instrument is constructed, and imagine the difference is in the diameter of the air hole you showed (plus maybe the plasticised bellows are stiff compared to leather?).
Well Andrew, a fine demonstration of a variety of models - but! Playing with the bellows on the thigh and not, as fully recommended, the wooden end assembly so as to avoid wear on the bellows! Slap on the wrist sir. Go stand in the corner - ☹️ Richard
Very informative video!!! I do have a question though. Is it possible to take the waxed on reeds out and make them the screw in style? Is that even possible?
On all concertinas of this type of construction, the reeds are attached to blocks that go inwards towards the bellows, the C and G row reeds are facing out and accessible, but the reeds for the top (accidental) row, are very difficult to get to, especially on the Scarlatti. So you would need to make the reed blocks removable, in order to convert to screwed on reed-plates. As the Scarlatti bellows will be leaking like a sieve, and the buttons sticking in a short space of time, you will need to address these issues before converting the reed-plate fixing. All these things are possible to improve but a lot of work will be necessary.
Thanks for your channel. I just bought a concertina and spent a little extra since I wanted to learn on one that I wouldn't want to trade in on another after a short time (a Swan model from McNeela) I am having such a hard time holding it properly, primarily because I have some arthritis in my thumbs. The use of the air button is probably the hardest at this time since it seems that it is quite a reach for my thumb. Wish I lived in an area that I could try out many models to possibly find one that fits best. It almost seems that if the air button was larger, I could access it easier and maybe reduce the thumb pain. I still have a couple of days to return it, but hate to since I love the sound from this instrument. Any thoughts on how to make it easier on the right thumb? Best regards
Hi Rick, On some concertinas it is be possible to fit a larger or longer air button, or add a larger diameter top, or even a thumb lever extending from the hand-bar to the air release. Ask McNeela's to adapt it, I'm sure any dealer will want to do all they can for their customers.
@@ACNormanCoConcertinaMakers Yes, I have messaged them and waiting for a reply. Also, I have received some good ideas from others that have modified their air button. Thanks for the reply. Best regards
Well spotted,! I shouldn't have done that! We usually make these videos centred on the old green sofa, not the best playing position so please don't play like that!
I like the simple explanations about what we experience with bottom-grade instruments, good for photo shoots but not for playing. The pickings are rather slim in these parts where concertinas are not popular so availability is…really a thing, and affordability goes along with it. Hard to know I’m not just paying more for the same materials and design! Thanks!
I think that the idea of the traditional 6+ sides is to save weight. In this case, the maker seems to have (literally) cut corners to save on manufacturing costs. Because it has so few buttons, this probably didn't matter as much as would on a more fully-featured instrument so it was probably a reasonable tradeoff.
Thank you for these videos, I just discovered your Channel. Even though I'm primarily a guitar player, I started playing concertina and 1976 is a young midshipman during operation sail. I've done some minor repairs on concertinas over the years, but can you explain how one would change a spring if need be? Thank you very much. It looks difficult without pulling the entire shaft out, is there a work around to it? That is, how to get the spring into the shaft. Cheers.
On these types of concertina you would have to remove the rod far enough to extract the broken spring to replace it, and be prepared to have to realign levers and pads.
The advise I've always given for someone new to concertina is that it is worth spending more for a mid-level concertina, not only because it will be more fun to play, but also they hold their value so well. Yes, you may be out 700-2000, but if you decide the concertina is not for you you can resell it for the same price.
Really enjoyed this. Very informative, I find the inner workings quite interesting and it’s good to know why these concertinas are inferior but could still be useful to someone just dipping their toes in folk music
