This is a Lachenal 30-Key in C/G/D with steel reeds. It has been fitted with new pads, valves and straps, and been tuned to concert pitch (A=440hz).

As you might already be able to tell, this is a fairly unique 30-Key Anglo, due to the fact that it’s in 3 keys. Whereas a usual anglo would have a top row of accidentals, a middle row in one key and the bottom row in the other, this anglo has every row in a different key. It’s essentially two 20-Key anglos put together- a C/G on the top and middle rows, and a G/D on the middle and bottom rows- the latter falling into the piccolo range.

This obviously limits the instruments use as a functioning 30-Key Anglo, but does open it up to different kinds of anglo players who might be perfectly content with a 20-Key, and now get the added bonus of a third key available on the same instrument. It’s obviously cheaper as a result of this, but it is still a good responsive player with a balanced tone. The alterations to a standard 30-Key do seem to be professionally done, and we’d guess that the concertina was made this way by Lachenal at special request by a customer.

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