Wakker English
concertinas
 

                                                             W- E2  with spruce ends and rosewood frames                                                    W-E4 (soprano) amboyna ends and gold keys/fittings                   

The Wakker English concertinas are made by Wim and Karen Wakker, combining traditional techniques, materials and designs 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". 
We offer 3 different english models, each with its own distinct sound and characteristics, aiming at different types of players and music.    

Model W-E1
Based on the Wheatstone Æola, the W-E1, W-E1T, and W-E1TT are octagonal (8 sided)concertinas.  Standard they come with either ebonized hardwood or French walnut raised ends. It has tapered reedpans, as found in the Wheatstone Æola and Lachenal Edeophone.
The sound is traditional; strong and full, but not harsh, comparable to the Wakker anglo.
The standard configuration: 48/56 domed keys, raised ends, 6 fold black bellows, long scale steel reeds in individual brass frames.

Standard configuration W-E1:
- Octagonal (8 sided). Treble:           6 1/2"
                                 Tenor:           6 3/4"
                                 Tenor-Treble: 7 1/4"
 -  treble: 48 key, from G below middle C to C.
    tenor: 48 key, from tenor C to F.
    tenor-treble: 56 key, from tenor C to high C                                                 W-E1 48 key treble ebonized ends.
 - 6 fold bellows
 - Raised hardwood ends
 - Long scale reeds: steel tongue in individual brass frames
 - Domed metal keys/delrin® cores.

   english pricelist   options                                                                

W-E1 56 key tenor-treble walnut ends.

Model W-E2
The W-E2 model is based on the early Wheatstone concertinas from the 1850s. It is developed with the soloist in mind, looking for warmth of tone and balance rather than volume.
Its round tone and perfect equilibrium are the result of the reedpan design and the choice of materials.
The primary wood for both the action board and ends is selected fine grained spruce, as used in string instruments like violin, guitar and lute. 
The ends can be 'natural' spruce, or veneered with rosewood or amboyna. Other woods used in this model are ayous, ebony, American hard maple and rosewood.

Standard configuration W-E2:
 - Hexagonal (6 sided)
 - E-2 treble, 48 key from G below middle C to C.
 - E-2B baritone, 48 key from G below tenor C to C.
 - flat ends.
 - Long scale reeds: steel tongue in individual brass
   frames.                                                                                                 W-E2 with natural spruce ends and rosewood frames. 
   also available with brass reeds.
 - Domed metal keys/delrin® cores.

    english pricelist   options            

                
        W-E2 with natural spruce ends and black bellows.    

Model W-E3
This model is ideal for players wanting a lighter traditional sounding instrument, and do not need the top octave. Because of the traditional design and materials, the sound is warm and strong, somewhat between the W-E1 and W-E2.
The standard configuration: 37 domed keys, ebonized or natural mahogany flat ends, 6 fold black bellows, long scale steel reeds in individual brass frames.

Standard configuration W-E3:
 - Hexagonal (6 sided)
 - 37 key treble, from G below middle C to D
 - flat mahogany or ebonized hardwood ends.
 - Long scale reeds: steel tongue in individual brass frames
 - Domed metal keys/delrin® cores.
  
   english pricelist   options

Model W-E4
The W-E4 is a 42 key soprano model, measuring only 14 cm/5.59" across. The layout is identical to a tenor english (minus the top 6 notes), but sounding one octave higher.The sound is bright.

Standard configuration W-E4:
 - 12 sided
 - 42 key soprano, from middle C to C.
 - flat ebonized hardwood  or veneered ends.
 - Long scale reeds: steel tongue in individual brass frames
 - Domed metal keys/delrin® cores.

   english pricelist   options

   W-E4 with amboyna ends and gold keys/fittings.                  

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 European and American maple, sycamore, mahogany, spruce, ayous and ebony. 
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.
                                                          

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. 

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. 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 small tolerances with a maximum deviation of 0.01mm/0.003 inch. 

to learn more about concertina reeds click here.  

Reedpan
English concertinas have radial reedpans. The size and depth of the reed chambers determine much of the sound characteristics of a concertina. Models W-2 and W-3 have traditional reedpans, the W-1 model has tapered reedpans.

Bellows
We offer two different types of  bellows on our english 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  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 the model.
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.

Customizing
Several aspects are subject to personal preference. The following subjects can be personalized:

• Bellows: traditional or all leather. 6 folds are standard, extra  folds are optional.  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. Optional: steel tongues in aluminum frames. Model W-2 is also available with brass tongues in brass frames. 
   

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