This is a Lachenal New Model 48-Key Treble with steel reeds. It has been fitted with new pads, valves and straps, and been tuned to concert pitch (A=440hz).

The Lachenal New Model is the jump up to what we would call ‘mid-range’ Englishes, and are always pretty reliable players, with the metal-ended versions tending to be a little brighter and faster. This is a good example of this- a pretty responsive player with a bright, loud tone. You may have noticed that it’s slightly cheaper than a New Model Treble would usually be- this is due to the fact that it’s a concertina that’s been messed with a fair amount in its life, especially when it comes to the thumb-strap screws (where someone has previously damaged the metal underneath the strap by forcing large screws in) and the bowing valves. We’ve had to remove the bowing valves and seal them off as they’d been damaged beyond use, and whilst everything is now fully working, it’s not at the standard we’re fully happy with due to those past errors in restoration, so it’s cheaper than usual. That doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s a good player with a good set of reeds.

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