Customer Reviews

Hohner Concertina 20 Key

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

A very fun instrument to learn! I recently picked up your $80 base model off of eBay that was made from China and had many issues with it. I had to open up the instrument to sand down some of the components and adjust the buttons in order to get the action to the point where the buttons wouldn't stick.

If you ask any skilled concertina player what kind of instrument is a good starter -- every single one of them will tell you to get the best one you can right off of the bat, otherwise, you can be plagued with problems such as mine, or stiff bellows causing a lot more air to be required to move the reeds.

Since a 'superb' concertina can run in the $1,500 - $3,000 range, a good 'starter' concertina is around $300-$500. I'd reccomend a 'Stagi' brand concertina (available at hobgoblin music -- I believe they have a website).

You'll find two general varieties -- a 20 button model and a 30 button model. If you've never played concertina, they'll be listed somewhat like this:

C/G 30 Button Anglo

Basically, the left side of the concertina is the lower octave and the right side is the higher octave. The C/G means that one row of buttons (10 buttons total -- 5 on each side) across both sides) will be the key of C while the other row is the key of G; that's your standard 20 button model. The 30 button models offer another row (5 buttons on each side) that add accidentals (flats and sharps) that aren't in the key of C or G.

There are two basic types of concertinas Anglo and English -- English is quieter, more for a quiet atmosphere, while the Anglo (in the C/G key) is a bit more robust and is generally the prefered choice for Irish music. I'd highly reccomend a 30-button C/G anglo if you're getting started!

I can play a number of tunes on the harmonica and that is the extent of my musical ability. That skill was learned on numerous backpacking trips over the years. I ordered up the D40 Concertina and Mel Bay's book. I received the concertina a couple weeks before the book. I managed to work out the details of Red River Valley in the first couple hours I had it. Couldn't play well at that time (still can't) but had the notes figured out. Once I got the book, it was a little easier to learn a new song.

This thing is just fun to sit down with for an hour or so in the evening and play the few songs I know and maybe work on a new one.

I highly reccommend this instrument for anybody that has an interest in this type of thing.

I am 52 years old.

I purchased a Hohner D40 concertina a couple of weeks ago and fell in love with it. I immediately noticed one button kept getting stuck after I played with it. I would have to pull on it to free it after playing each time. Annoying to say the least!!!
Then a day later I noticed one of the buttons didn't make any sound at all. Now I had two buttons causing me problems. It looks decent and sounds nice but what is the point of having an instrument if you can't play it! The handle had a screw that kept coming loose. I thought this particular one was maybe a fluke so I sent it back and got another one. I just wanted to be able to play a concertina and the price was decent. So I gave it another try. Well I got the second one today and lo and behold a button sticks again. Well it's going back and I am still on the lookout for a decent concertina with buttons that doesn't stick. I hope I can find one that works for me.

This Hohner Concertina is a lot of fun to play. The progression of the notes on the buttons is very logical, and playing it by ear becomes very easy, which was a big surprise to me, as I am someone who always reads the notes. I have owned this for about a year and a half, and I still enjoy sitting down a few times a week and playing all the tunes I know on it (maybe about 15 total). Most of them I have just learned by ear and memorized over time by repetition. They are all simple traditional songs, which I enjoy immensely. While the buttons do stick occasionally, they are easily freed. A little bit of oil on the buttons every once in a while does seem to help prevent this. Unless you are planning on becoming a professional concertinist (is there such a thing?) this is the only concertinal you'll ever need.

Very fun to play. My wife bought me this instrument last year for my birthday and I have no complaints. This instrument is ideal for beginners like me. However, it takes a little bit of research to figure out exactly what you have. Most concertina music available on-line is better suited for 30 and 40 key instruments. But when you look hard enough you can find quite a bit for this 20-key instrument. Look for songs in a key of G or C in your books around the house and you are off and playing. Other keys will take a bit of ingenuity.

Perhaps one day I might upgrade to a more versatile concertina and give this one away, but for now I am happy. It can be played quiet enough not to bother the neighbors or wake the kids, but our dog does not like it.

After reading other people's reviews I was hesitant about getting this product, but it turned out I had nothing to fear. I bought it for my husband and he loves it. He has no complaints. It is something fun he can play and has already learned several songs...including the pirate song from the popular ride in Anaheim.

My first impressions of this instrument were very good, but I soon found that it was very easy to get buttons to stick, leaving their valves open even when the buttons aren't pressed. I think that this is due to weak valve springs and could be easily fixed, but the fact that it was so quick to happen reflects poorly on the quality of this concertina.

cheaply made, if you're looking for an affordable concertina that's a whole lot better, try a Rochelle. this thing is painful to play after a while. not worth the money

I purchased my Hohner 20 Key Concertina this summer from Amazon and it was just as fun as I had hoped. I could play recognizable songs within a week and I now have a repertoire of about 40 songs. It is a wonderful party instrument.

I have 3 Concertinas. One made in German and One in Italy. I got this cheep "MADE IN CHINA" 20 buttons Hohner Concertina new from a local store more than a year ago..... played for about 2 week and I had to leave it inside the clothset because it has 2 sticky button and 1 button can't even pop back. The air button sometimes didn't even work. The F reed (control by the right hand side top row 3rd button)its tune is kinda between E & F and the C reed (Right hand side top row 1st button) is C#. That's why I let it sleeping there.
I'm wondering why the other "MADE IN GERMAN" is also Hohner 20 buttons (But the model is Hohner International)I've have playing it for almost 10 years and never has any problem and all the reeds are still keeping tunes.
I think its the reason of MADE IN CHINA. I paid less and get less quality.