Wakker Anglo
concertinas
W-A1 with raised ebonized ends
Made by hand, by Wim and Karen Wakker, the
Wakker Anglo concertina is a marriage of traditional techniques, materials and
designs, combined with the latest CNC technology, guaranteeing the highest
standard of precision.
The entire instrument, including the reed tongues and frames and all fittings,
is made at our workshop. Each instrument is a hand-crafted "one off" and only a
limited number of these instruments are made each year.
See the making of an anglo for a photo
reportage.
The Wakker anglo is offered in 3 different designs, each with its own sound characteristics. All our instruments feature traditional concertina reeds, but have different reed pan and reed chamber design, reed scaling and airflow resistance, and fretwork. Because of this, each model produces a fundamentally different sound, which provides a foundation for further customization.
Our anglo models are available in different types of wood, with flat or raised wooden or metal ends, customized keys and key travel, hand rails, standard or all leather bellows, customized key board layouts, etc..
Model W-A1
The W-A1 has a radial reed pan.
The sound can be characterized as round, mellow but loud.
Standard configuration:
- 30 or 31 key Wheatstone or Jeffries
layout.
- Radial reedpan
- 6 fold bellows
- Hardwood ends
- Tuning: C/G. also available: C#/G#,
Bb-F (see optional)
- Long scale reeds: steel tongue in
individual brass frames
- Domed metal keys/delrin® cores.
W-A1 with raised quilted maple ends
Model W-A2
The W-A2 model has parallel reed pans.
The sound can be described as less mellow than the A1, woody and with a ´bite´to it.
Standard configuration:
- 30 or 31 key Wheatstone or Jeffries
layout.
- Parallel reedpan
- 6 fold bellows
- Hardwood ends
- Tuning: C/G. also available: C#/G#,
Bb-F (see optionals)
- Long scale reeds: steel tongue in
individual brass frames
- Domed metal keys/delrin® cores.
W-A2 with raised french
walnut ends
Model W-A3
The W-A3 model is identical in design to the A2,
except for the tuning, which is either
in G/D, or F/C.
Standard configuration:
- 30 key Wheatstone or Jeffries layout.
- Parallel reedpan
- 7 fold bellows
- Hardwood ends
- Tuning: G/D or F/C
- Long scale reeds: steel tongue in individual
brass frames.
- Domed metal keys/delrin® cores.
W-A3 with flat amboyna ends
Model W-A4
The W-A4 (Eir) model is developed with Irish music in mind. It has wooden
ends with metal inserts for the primary reflection areas. The sound can be
characterized as metal like, but not harsh. It has a 'flute' like quality to it.
The reed pans are parallel, but have adjusted chambers and customized scaled
reeds.
Standard configuration:
- 31 key Wheatstone or Jeffries
layout.
- Parallel reedpan
- 6 fold bellows
- flat wooden ends with metal inserts
- Tuning: C/G. also available: C#/G#,
Bb-F (see optionals)
- custom scaled reeds: steel tongue in
individual brass frames
- Domed metal keys/delrin® cores.
W-A4 with padauk ends and nickel inserts
Model W-A5
The W-A5 model is based on the A2.
It is octagonal (8 sided) and has parallel reed
pans.
Standard configuration:
Octagonal (8 sided)
- 39 key Wheatstone or Jeffries layout.
- parallel reedpan
- 7 fold bellows
- Hardwood ends
- Tuning: C/G. also available: C#/G#, Bb-F (see optional)
- Long scale reeds: steel tongue in individual brass frames
- Domed metal keys/delrin® cores.
Model W-A6
The W-A6 model is based on the A3.
It is octagonal (8 sided) and has parallel reed
pans.
Standard configuration:
Octagonal (8 sided)
- 39 key Wheatstone or Jeffries layout.
- Parallel reedpan
- 7 fold bellows
- Hardwood ends
- Tuning: G/D and F/C
- Long scale reeds: steel tongue in individual brass frames
- Domed metal keys/delrin® cores.
Construction and Materials
We take great effort in the selection and preparation of the materials we
use. Depending on the model, the woods we use include hard maple, sycamore,
mahogany, spruce and ebony.
In addition to solid hard wood ends, we also offer veneered ends. We follow the old makers in the tradition of veneering concertinas, and have a
wide selection of unique and rare veneers available, including rare amboynas.
Our metal ended instruments can either be nickel, silver or gold plated.
Our instruments are based on the proven designs of Wheatstone and Jeffries from
a century ago. However, they are not copies. Using modern technology enabled us
to improve on both equilibrium and reed response, making the instrument better
balanced.
W-A2 with raised french walnut ends
Finish
All our instruments are french polished. French polishing is considered
to be the most exclusive of finishes. It is a combination of shellac, ethanol
and skill. Unlike other finishes, it is invisible but at the same time enhances
even the smallest details of the grain. It takes about 9 hours to french polish
a concertina.
W-A1 with metal ends
Reeds
The reeds are the most important part of the concertina. Our instruments
have traditional concertina reeds, not accordion type reeds.
A reed consist of a single steel tongue mounted in individual brass or aluminum
frames. We use 16 different reed/frame sizes in our anglos to obtain the best
possible balance and reed response. Our reeds are "long scale" reeds, requiring less air flow and producing more swing-cycle amplitude.
We make our own reeds, using the latest computerized machines. This enables us
to optimize the design and fit of our frames and tongues, allowing extreme close
fits with a maximum deviation of 0.01mm/0.003 inch.
to learn more about concertina reeds click here.
W-A1 with rosewood flat ends
Bellows
We offer two different types of 6 folds (black) bellows on our anglo
concertinas:
1) traditional, Wheatstone style, with leather gussets and bindings and black
papers.
2) All leather.
We use the finest quality goat skin, tested for impurities and air tightness.
Action
The action is riveted. The levers and post are cut out of brass. The key
travel on our anglo actions is 'fine tuned' to ca.60 grams of pressure.
The buttons are 'Wheatstone type': delrin® or wooden core, with a metal sleeve.
The top of the keys can either be flat or domed, depending on preference.
Because of the delrin®/wooden core, our keys weigh only a fraction of the solid
type keys. Lighter keys result in a faster and quieter action.
action board Model W-A2
Customizing
Several aspects of the two models are subject to personal preference.
Besides the choice of material and/or veneer, the following subjects can be
personalized:
ends: flat, or raised. Solid hardwood, ebony or metal ends.
Hand rest style:
"traditional" (strap screw on top of the
instrument)
"Duet"
(strap screw on the hand rail)
Bellows: traditional or all leather. 6 folds are standard, extra folds are optional. We also offer the choice of standard anglo bellows or extra light bellows. The standard color is black, but other colors are available.
keys: choice of delrin or wooden core and flat or domed caps. Delrin cores and domed caps are standard.
tongues/reed frames. Standard are steel tongues in individual brass frames.
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