This is a Wheatstone 48-Key Tenor with steel reeds. It has been refinished, rebushed, and fitted with new pads, valves and straps in the last few years. The serial number is 33010.

This is a lovely example of a ‘band’ Tenor- an instrument made for concertina band musicians that is a little bigger, but projects more prominently, and is generally a little louder than other concertinas. The common theory is that, after serial number 33000, Wheatstone cheapened their instruments and started using hook-and-lever actions as opposed to their previously-used riveted actions. This instrument has a riveted action, so the change wasn’t made immediately at 33000. It is a really responsive instrument with a lovely tone, and that Tenor range remains probably the most useful layout for an English concertina- it is very rare to find a Wheatstone Tenor with a riveted action, as most Tenors were made after this point.

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