Hi, I'm still trying to sell my Crabb Concertina. I just recieved my Suttner and im reluctant to sell this great concertina. Its a 30 key metal ended metal key c/g concertina. Tuned by Colin Dipper. Plays and looks like a Jeffries. Anyone know of anyone that would be interested?
For those who don't know, Crabb were, I believe, the last of the small independant concertina-makers left in London; at this time the Wheatstone jigs and equipment were owned by Boosey and Hawkes who continued to build small numbers of instruments, but these late ones are not highly regarded.
I remember taking my newly-acquired old Wheatstone english down to Crabb in their small Liverpool Road premises for an assesment shortly after acquiring it in '68 or so. They did a lot of repairs and renovations for the early folk revival crowd, as well as still producing new 'tinas for those who could afford them; John Kirkpatricks' order is on their books, which are presumably now in the Horniman Museum.
As a relatively small company Crabb instruments are not often on the market, being too highly regarded by their owners.
I hope you don't take my reply as negative, since I am trying to be helpful.
The Crabb family company made instruments over a few generations and 150 or more years. I really like their concertinas and own a very fine Ball Beavon made by John Crabb ca. 1880, nicer in many ways than many Jeffries-stamped instruments being played today. As Guernsey Pete notes, more recent craftsmen of the Crabb family were very helpful as makers and repairers to many players still alive. Geoff Crabb has recently begun making concertinas again after a hiatus and may possibly have the time to help you with more information about your instrument. If yours is the concertina recently listed on ebay, it looks like a nice model to me.
However, since you haven't sold it yet and are seeking advice.....I wonder if you are asking too much of potential buyers (and I don't just mean the price).
Concertinas are very complicated precision machines with many parts that must be "just right" to function at all....like your car or computer. But unlike those machines, when it comes to concertinas there are far fewer expert repairmen around to help a buyer determine the condition of all those parts, some of which are small or hidden or (as with the reeds) may be functioning but mostly consumed by past use and repairs. Not only whether an instrument is working, or looks good externally, but also the condition (including originality, and likelihood of future problems) of all those internal parts determines the value. It is really good news that my friends the Dippers worked on your concertina. They are wonderful craftspersons.... but (unless they have it in the shop) even they can't be sure any particular concertina is in good shape *right now." Speaking hypothetically -- not to impugn you but to point out the reason buyers must beware -- a concertina could have had a beer bath last night or an unscrupulous person could have traded out original parts without informing the new buyer, all since the Dippers last saw it.
Most buyers thinking of spending thousands of euro/pounds/dollars on a concertina know this and will want much, much more information about current condition of all the parts than you have provided either here or on ebay.
Also unlike cars and computers, many concertina owners expect to use their instrument for a few years and then sell it for a profit, or at least at less of a loss than you would assume for those other items. Given the limited supply of really fine anglos and the growing demand that may often be possible, BUT...
Concertina buyers are more likely to pay a top price for an instrument if it is sold by a well-established dealer with an excellent reputation that he must maintain. A private party can sell an instrument, even a private party who seems to want to remain anonymous can often sell an instrument on ebay (in that case there had better be lots of good pictures and good seller feedback), but rarely at top dollar. Of course, if you ask a dealer to sell your instrument for you they will earn a commission so *you* will still not get top dollar.
If you can carry your Crabb to a fleadh or music week where a lot of players can get their hands on it, you may be able to make a favorable sale yourself, especially since I suspect you are a fine player and your familiarity with that instrument will show it off well. Or you may be able to enlist the help of one of the teachers or performers (if they are pros you may find *they* would like a commission).
But for selling the concertina yourself online, the combination of minimal information/photos, an anonymous seller, and a pretty steep price (for those conditions) doesn't look promising.
Hope your Crabb sells to someone who is delighted to have it for the price paid, and that you enjoy your new Suttner!
Concertina for sale
Concertina for sale
Hi, I'm still trying to sell my Crabb Concertina. I just recieved my Suttner and im reluctant to sell this great concertina. Its a 30 key metal ended metal key c/g concertina. Tuned by Colin Dipper. Plays and looks like a Jeffries. Anyone know of anyone that would be interested?
# Posted on May 18th 2008 by ofearghail7
Re: Concertina for sale
How much are you asking?
Could you give a little more info?
How old is it?
What is the action like?
Are the bellows still in good shape and air tight?
Does it need repairs of any kind?
etc.
I might be interested, then again no promises just yet.
Thanks in advance!
Tyler
# Posted on May 19th 2008 by Tyler
Re: Concertina for sale
For those who don't know, Crabb were, I believe, the last of the small independant concertina-makers left in London; at this time the Wheatstone jigs and equipment were owned by Boosey and Hawkes who continued to build small numbers of instruments, but these late ones are not highly regarded.
I remember taking my newly-acquired old Wheatstone english down to Crabb in their small Liverpool Road premises for an assesment shortly after acquiring it in '68 or so. They did a lot of repairs and renovations for the early folk revival crowd, as well as still producing new 'tinas for those who could afford them; John Kirkpatricks' order is on their books, which are presumably now in the Horniman Museum.
As a relatively small company Crabb instruments are not often on the market, being too highly regarded by their owners.
# Posted on May 19th 2008 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Concertina for sale
ofearghail7,
I hope you don't take my reply as negative, since I am trying to be helpful.
The Crabb family company made instruments over a few generations and 150 or more years. I really like their concertinas and own a very fine Ball Beavon made by John Crabb ca. 1880, nicer in many ways than many Jeffries-stamped instruments being played today. As Guernsey Pete notes, more recent craftsmen of the Crabb family were very helpful as makers and repairers to many players still alive. Geoff Crabb has recently begun making concertinas again after a hiatus and may possibly have the time to help you with more information about your instrument. If yours is the concertina recently listed on ebay, it looks like a nice model to me.
However, since you haven't sold it yet and are seeking advice.....I wonder if you are asking too much of potential buyers (and I don't just mean the price).
Concertinas are very complicated precision machines with many parts that must be "just right" to function at all....like your car or computer. But unlike those machines, when it comes to concertinas there are far fewer expert repairmen around to help a buyer determine the condition of all those parts, some of which are small or hidden or (as with the reeds) may be functioning but mostly consumed by past use and repairs. Not only whether an instrument is working, or looks good externally, but also the condition (including originality, and likelihood of future problems) of all those internal parts determines the value. It is really good news that my friends the Dippers worked on your concertina. They are wonderful craftspersons.... but (unless they have it in the shop) even they can't be sure any particular concertina is in good shape *right now." Speaking hypothetically -- not to impugn you but to point out the reason buyers must beware -- a concertina could have had a beer bath last night or an unscrupulous person could have traded out original parts without informing the new buyer, all since the Dippers last saw it.
Most buyers thinking of spending thousands of euro/pounds/dollars on a concertina know this and will want much, much more information about current condition of all the parts than you have provided either here or on ebay.
Also unlike cars and computers, many concertina owners expect to use their instrument for a few years and then sell it for a profit, or at least at less of a loss than you would assume for those other items. Given the limited supply of really fine anglos and the growing demand that may often be possible, BUT...
Concertina buyers are more likely to pay a top price for an instrument if it is sold by a well-established dealer with an excellent reputation that he must maintain. A private party can sell an instrument, even a private party who seems to want to remain anonymous can often sell an instrument on ebay (in that case there had better be lots of good pictures and good seller feedback), but rarely at top dollar. Of course, if you ask a dealer to sell your instrument for you they will earn a commission so *you* will still not get top dollar.
If you can carry your Crabb to a fleadh or music week where a lot of players can get their hands on it, you may be able to make a favorable sale yourself, especially since I suspect you are a fine player and your familiarity with that instrument will show it off well. Or you may be able to enlist the help of one of the teachers or performers (if they are pros you may find *they* would like a commission).
But for selling the concertina yourself online, the combination of minimal information/photos, an anonymous seller, and a pretty steep price (for those conditions) doesn't look promising.
Hope your Crabb sells to someone who is delighted to have it for the price paid, and that you enjoy your new Suttner!
Best wishes,
PG
# Posted on May 19th 2008 by Paul Groff
Re: Concertina for sale
Hi. Very greatful for all the comments. I will try to bring it to as many places as possible. Thanks again for everybodies help.
Sean
# Posted on May 19th 2008 by ofearghail7
Re: Concertina for sale
What price ?
# Posted on May 19th 2008 by Lachenal
Re: Concertina for sale
5200 Paid more for it though.
# Posted on May 24th 2008 by ofearghail7
Re: Concertina for sale
Hi - is this still for sale ? If so, I have a friend who may be interested.
# Posted on June 18th 2008 by rosfrog
Re: Concertina for sale
Hi
I am looking for a nice GC Crabb but would not even think of buying before I could try it.
Where is it and is it available for viewing/playing??
Alan
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by bigfootsquires
Re: Concertina for sale
BY the way, what number is it?
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by bigfootsquires
Re: Concertina for sale
Don't bother any more - I have just bought a morse GC and I think it is brilliant for the money - bought off Ebay!!
# Posted on July 3rd 2008 by bigfootsquires