Takayuki YAGI Posted March 30, 2007 Posted March 30, 2007 Hi all, Just aquired this one. Lachenal G/D 30 key mahogany ends #155862. It has no makers label but has Lachenal's trademark on the right hand side strap bar. It has dark red leather sheet glued aroud the keys. I have seen some earlier models (serial numbers were around 130000's ) with mahogany end with different (simpler) fretwork. Is this fretwork (and leather sheet) typical for 150000's instrument ? or may spacially made for a certain dealer ? There are some pencil notes inside of the reed pan. ( I couldn't read it ) Any information will be appreciated. Thank you.
wes williams Posted March 30, 2007 Posted March 30, 2007 I am puzzled by this one. I have not seen a Lachenal with a circular hole where the name paper normally fits. The hole is usually oval. What is the action like? But the pencil notes and stamp are a bit easier. The first line of the stamp reads 'Compostura & A?????' - I think this is in Spanish or Portugese. From somewhere in South America perhaps? The pencil notes at the top are date, name, and address, and seem to read: Aug 1981 (Aug=August) Harry Martin 10 Gillingham Terrace Kensington Gardens That is a typical house address for an English speaking country. But I cannot read the next two words, or make any sense of what they could be, so perhaps this could be Australia or New Zealand? They look like Batry and Danciset. Can anybody make a guess? The lower pencil notes are F Martin (name) General ????? (his job?) Dec 1997 (Dec=December)
malcolm clapp Posted March 30, 2007 Posted March 30, 2007 (edited) But I cannot read the next two words, or make any sense of what they could be, so perhaps this could be Australia or New Zealand? They look like Batry and Danciset. Can anybody make a guess? Bath, Somerset ????? Edited March 30, 2007 by malcolm clapp
Dave Prebble Posted March 30, 2007 Posted March 30, 2007 I am puzzled by this one. I have not seen a Lachenal with a circular hole where the name paper normally fits. The hole is usually oval. What is the action like? Seen a few of these - all, if I recall correctly, were salvation army instruments. Dave
Dave Prebble Posted March 30, 2007 Posted March 30, 2007 But I cannot read the next two words, or make any sense of what they could be, so perhaps this could be Australia or New Zealand? They look like Batry and Danciset. Can anybody make a guess? Bath, Somerset ????? and Lo and Behold - the address still exists in Bath, Somerset Dave
wes williams Posted March 30, 2007 Posted March 30, 2007 (edited) Malcolm:Bath, Somerset ?????Dave: and Lo and Behold - the address still exists in Bath, Somerset Ooops! How stupid can I be? And one of my daughters used to live just down the road in Pera Place! Edited March 30, 2007 by wes williams
Boney Posted March 30, 2007 Posted March 30, 2007 I've seen several of these with the leather under the grill (you can usually see it through the fretwork). I'm guessing someone took it out (to increase volume, probably), and used it to protect the instrument around the buttons, or alter the feel. It looks like a homemade job to me.
Dave Prebble Posted March 30, 2007 Posted March 30, 2007 I've seen several of these with the leather under the grill (you can usually see it through the fretwork). I'm guessing someone took it out (to increase volume, probably), and used it to protect the instrument around the buttons, or alter the feel. It looks like a homemade job to me. Looks like pretty standard Lachenal type spindle cut fretwork which was typical of their lower end concertinas. The red leather baffle was pretty much standard for Lachenal anglos but these are frequently discarded these days when instruments are rebuilt. In my experience, many of the instruments that were made specifically for the Salvation Army, have better than average reeds for the model. I guess they were an important customer for Lachenals and could thus demand a certain level of quality for their money. I don't recall ever coming across one with a Lachenal Label (or any label for that matter) fitted in the round hole. Was it perhaps a S.A. label or perhaps just left empty ? Regards Dave Prebble
Takayuki YAGI Posted March 31, 2007 Author Posted March 31, 2007 Thank you for you all ! I really appreciate all of your informations I am puzzled by this one. I have not seen a Lachenal with a circular hole where the name paper normally fits. The hole is usually oval. What is the action like? Action is Lachenal's hooked action, I guess. The lower pencil notes areF Martin (name) General ????? (his job?) Dec 1997 (Dec=December) Thank you. Maybe S.A. General ? It makes sense. Malcolm:Bath, Somerset ????? Dave: and Lo and Behold - the address still exists in Bath, Somerset Ooops! How stupid can I be? And one of my daughters used to live just down the road in Pera Place! Oh, Bath! I've been there during my first trip to England some years ago. I recollect the Roman Bath, some antique markets, Sally Lunn Bun and more.. Lovely town to visit. # sorry, off topic I've seen several of these with the leather under the grill (you can usually see it through the fretwork). I'm guessing someone took it out (to increase volume, probably), and used it to protect the instrument around the buttons, or alter the feel. It looks like a homemade job to me. Looks like pretty standard Lachenal type spindle cut fretwork which was typical of their lower end concertinas. The red leather baffle was pretty much standard for Lachenal anglos but these are frequently discarded these days when instruments are rebuilt. In my experience, many of the instruments that were made specifically for the Salvation Army, have better than average reeds for the model. I guess they were an important customer for Lachenals and could thus demand a certain level of quality for their money. I don't recall ever coming across one with a Lachenal Label (or any label for that matter) fitted in the round hole. Was it perhaps a S.A. label or perhaps just left empty ? Regards Dave Prebble If it is not original, alter the feel is make sense. It has replaced new bellows with red bellows paper. Leather and bellows paper colors makes this instrument look prettier. Thank you. Sometimes in the future I would like to know what label was originally inside the round hole. But without knowing the label, this sounds good as playable instrument (it's my first G/D! ). I will play this with care Thank you again for your all informations. Taka
Dave Prebble Posted March 31, 2007 Posted March 31, 2007 Thank you. Sometimes in the future I would like to know what label was originally inside the round hole. But without knowing the label, this sounds good as playable instrument (it's my first G/D! ). I will play this with care Thank you again for your all informations. Taka Hi Taka, If it is now a G/D and was indeed a salvation army instrument it is most likely that it was originally in Ab/Eb and has since been re-tuned. I believe many of their instruments were in this tuning in order to play along with the flat keys of Brass instruments in the SA bands You will be able to tell if this is the case by comparing the note stamped on the reed with what the note actually plays on the keyboard. If it has been altered, many (but not necessarily all) of the reed stamps will not correspond the the note the button plays. (For example the reed that the G button plays when pushed ... the inner reed .... may be stamped Ab instead of G) Many of the G/Ds around these days have been 'tuned down' by a variety of methods from their original keys and, if the reeds were good to start with and the work is done by an experienced tuner, they can sound very good Enjoy the instrument Dave P
Takayuki YAGI Posted April 1, 2007 Author Posted April 1, 2007 Thank you again for the information, Dave If it is now a G/D and was indeed a salvation army instrument it is most likely that it was originally in Ab/Eb and has since been re-tuned. I believe many of their instruments were in this tuning in order to play along with the flat keys of Brass instruments in the SA bands You will be able to tell if this is the case by comparing the note stamped on the reed with what the note actually plays on the keyboard. If it has been altered, many (but not necessarily all) of the reed stamps will not correspond the the note the button plays. (For example the reed that the G button plays when pushed ... the inner reed .... may be stamped Ab instead of G) I checked the reed shoe. Not all the stamped mark are survived (maybe scratched off during tuning) but I confirmed some from reed shoe and it was originally in Ab/Eb . All reeds start fine in G/D now. Former owner once said to me that restoration was done by a restorer in England. Very experienced work, I think. Thank you very much. Regards, Taka
Takayuki YAGI Posted April 21, 2007 Author Posted April 21, 2007 Hello again, I just noticed that a lachenal 30-key Ab/Eb with circular label area in the fretwork is in stock now at Theo Gibb's Box Place. The fretwork pattern is exatly the same as mine and serial numbers are quite near (#154456 and #155862). I guess they made some Ab/Eb boxes with this fretwork at that time... Taka
Theo Posted April 21, 2007 Posted April 21, 2007 Hello again, I just noticed that a lachenal 30-key Ab/Eb with circular label area in the fretwork is in stock now at Theo Gibb's Box Place. The fretwork pattern is exatly the same as mine and serial numbers are quite near (#154456 and #155862). I guess they made some Ab/Eb boxes with this fretwork at that time... Taka Hi Taka And this one was originally in Ab/Eb, though I have tuned it down from high pitch to A=440. Theo
Takayuki YAGI Posted April 21, 2007 Author Posted April 21, 2007 And this one was originally in Ab/Eb, though I have tuned it down from high pitch to A=440. Hi Theo, Thank you for the historical background. I am really glad to see the similar one there Taka
DavidFR Posted May 24, 2007 Posted May 24, 2007 (edited) Hi Takayuki, I was very interested to see your photos, because my Groff-restored instrument looks exactly the same. It was once an Ab/Eb that's been tuned down to G/D, and I think it was a Salvation Army instrument, partly because it has a little hole where it looks like you could put in a marching band music stand (if anyone has one of these stands, please let me know!). Paul also feels that the reedwork is exceptional for a Lachenal, so it really could be that they had a better quality standard for the Army bands. -David Edited May 25, 2007 by DavidFR
Takayuki YAGI Posted May 26, 2007 Author Posted May 26, 2007 Hi David, Thank you for the interesting and helpful imformation. I was very interested to see your photos, because my Groff-restored instrument looks exactly the same. It was once an Ab/Eb that's been tuned down to G/D, and I think it was a Salvation Army instrument, partly because it has a little hole where it looks like you could put in a marching band music stand (if anyone has one of these stands, please let me know!). My instrument also has little screw hole at the top of the left side end (first photo). And also has two small holes at each strap bar (second photo). I guess holes at the strap bar are for the neck strap , though I'm not sure . If you get one marching band music stand, please let me (and who all watching this thread) show the photo. I am very intersted in it. Regards, -- Takayuki
Takayuki YAGI Posted November 14, 2009 Author Posted November 14, 2009 Another one with circular label area is on ebay now. Fretwork is similar to ones in previous posts. -- Taka
Takayuki YAGI Posted December 30, 2023 Author Posted December 30, 2023 On 3/30/2007 at 3:56 PM, wes williams said: I am puzzled by this one. I have not seen a Lachenal with a circular hole where the name paper normally fits. The hole is usually oval. What is the action like? Barleycorn now lists G/D (presumably the original is Ab/Eb) with circular hole with label. https://concertina.co.uk/stock-selection/anglo-concertinas/lachenal-30-key-anglo-in-g-d-8421/ One long-standing mystery has been solved. 1 1
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