Jim Bayliss

Sad to hear of Kurt's passing. A fine person, musician, and fellow duet player at Palestine. He will be missed.

I agree that upside down is the way to replace the endplates on the Bastari. It's been a long time since I did that. The dowels and wires have been useful for me on Wheatstones and my Wakkers to keep the buttons straight for upright endplate replacement.

I'll make a recording and will let you know when it's on my YouTube channel. Thanks for your interest.

Glad to hear you're getting some good use out of the Bastari duet. I've also used plastic covered wire cut from clothes hangers and appropriately sized thin dowels or the equivalent to get buttons lined up.

I'm sending a copy of the 1982 letter, mentioned earlier in this thread, I received from Pat Robson discussing bandoneons, Chemnitzers, duet concertinas, etc. It was written on 11 5/8" paper and the scan leaves out a few lines on each side. If the ICA would like the letter, I'd be glad to contribute it. Scan_0001.pdfScan_0001.pdfScan_0001.pdf Scan_0001.pdfScan_0002.pdf

I have one probably identical to Matthew's with the vertical reed banks. It was bought as a Bastari and has long been unplayable. If anybody would want it for parts or otherwise, I would send it to you for postage.

Very interesting. I'll be interested in any further comments.

If you haven't already, consider getting a strong cloth tote bag that can carry two or more cases. L.L. Bean is a source, but in the U.S. Bags and Totes (llbean.com)

Looks like the same asymmetrically placed rows.

I own two Wakkers, W-1 and W-2 Hayden duets, and am very pleased with them. They are as good as they look and well worth the $.

Rochelle Anglo for sale. 30 buttons. Good beginner concertina. Bought new about 4 years ago. Little played. Like new. $300 postpaid in the U.S. Includes soft case and tutor. PM me for more information.

I have tried to call and write him recently. No success.

Stagi was sloppy in building these instruments with the different row angles between sides and asymmetrically staggered button rows. The only practical solution is to move on and get an instrument without the slant. Even with a slant, the instruments work and are manageable, but I'm convinced they work better without the slant.

I tried taking the slant out of a Stagi Hayden over 10 years ago. The problem is that taking the slant out of the handrails throws the instrument out of balance and makes it more awkward to play and rest flat on the knee.

I have a little used Rochelle bought new by me ~6 years ago that I'd like to sell for $350 plus postage. With tutor and soft case. Excellent condition.