A very fun instrument to learn! I recently picked up your base model that was made from China and had many issues with it. I had to open up the instrument to sand down some of the components and adjust the buttons in order to get the action to the point where the buttons wouldn’t stick.

If you ask any skilled concertina player what kind of instrument is a good starter — every single one of them will tell you to get the best one you can right off of the bat, otherwise, you can be plagued with problems such as mine, or stiff bellows causing a lot more air to be required to move the reeds.

Since a ‘superb’ concertina can run in the ,500 – ,000 range, a good ‘starter’ concertina is around 0-0. I’d reccomend a ‘Stagi’ brand concertina (available at hobgoblin music — I believe they have a website).

You’ll find two general varieties — a 20 button model and a 30 button model. If you’ve never played concertina, they’ll be listed somewhat like this:

C/G 30 Button Anglo

Basically, the left side of the concertina is the lower octave and the right side is the higher octave. The C/G means that one row of buttons (10 buttons total — 5 on each side) across both sides) will be the key of C while the other row is the key of G; that’s your standard 20 button model. The 30 button models offer another row (5 buttons on each side) that add accidentals (flats and sharps) that aren’t in the key of C or G.

There are two basic types of concertinas Anglo and English — English is quieter, more for a quiet atmosphere, while the Anglo (in the C/G key) is a bit more robust and is generally the prefered choice for Irish music. I’d highly reccomend a 30-button C/G anglo if you’re getting started!

I had a few problems with this item. The first button on the right keyboard was broken and rattling around loose when I got it. The people I bought it from (musician’s friend) were very good about replacing it though. Now I have one that works, but some of the buttons on the left keyboard stick and others rub the buttons that stick. So I will have to open it up and do some work as R Wiltbank said in their review. I enjoy the instrument when it works right. It is very easy to transcribe music for, if you can find the sheet music.

Having 21 buttons (including the air valve) sounds like a lot but is nothing compared to the 22 frets and 6 strings of a guitar. 21 choices about where to put a finger vs. 132 with a guitar. Classic songs, sailor songs, old folk songs and even christmas carols sound interestingly different and can be learned but not mastered in the first 3 days of owning this item. I spent 0 and found out that the concertina is something I want to play. I would never ask more of a beginner’s instrument. Sometimes the harmonica isn’t very shiny and doesn’t work right, but it’s always good enough to let you know if you like harmonica music or not.

I purchased this concertina dispite the negative reviews, I recieved it and examined it with a fine tooth comb ;p it’s beautiful ! All the buttons work well and the sound is wonderful. It is a bit stiff but that’s to be expected … It’s new , it needs to be broken in… Over all , I’ve been playing this squeeze box for a month now and she’s a beauty!!! I love it and am happy with it . I had to buy a gig bag for her but big deal. I hope this helps out those looking to get into this.
I’m one happy Irish man with a great little squeeze box playing Irish tunes and my local pub 🙂 if you treat her right then she’ll treat you right as well 😉 cheers