Here we are demonstrating more accordion-reeded Anglo concertinas, old and new, a step up from those featured in Part 1, costing from £100-£700 second hand price. Blackthorn, vintage Stagi and Wheatstone Mayfair concertinas.
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.
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
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.
