Johnson FI-120 Concertina - 20 Button Anglo Style

by Johnson

Product Features

• 20 Button Anglo Model
• 2 1/2 Octave Range
• 10.5" Hand Spun Continental Cone
• Red Pearloid End Plates
• Bellows Reinforcement

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 23 x 19 x 17 inches ; 3.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0002F6LL0
• Item model number: FI-120
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,110 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #53 in Musical Instruments > Keyboards > Accordions

Product Description

The beloved instrument for players who want that rich, traditional sound.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

96 of 100 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Spend a Bit More -- Save a Headache, December 12, 2005

By 

R. Wiltbank - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Johnson FI-120 Concertina - 20 Button Anglo Style (Electronics)

A very fun instrument to learn! I recently picked up your $80 base model 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!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A few problems, but good enough to find out if you want to play., March 9, 2010

By 

F. Wenslow (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Johnson FI-120 Concertina - 20 Button Anglo Style (Electronics)

I had a few problems with this item. The first button on the right keyboard was broken and rattling around loose when I got it. The people I bought it from (musician's friend) were very good about replacing it though. Now I have one that works, but some of the buttons on the left keyboard stick and others rub the buttons that stick. So I will have to open it up and do some work as R Wiltbank said in their review. I enjoy the instrument when it works right. It is very easy to transcribe music for, if you can find the sheet music.

Having 21 buttons (including the air valve) sounds like a lot but is nothing compared to the 22 frets and 6 strings of a guitar. 21 choices about where to put a finger vs. 132 with a guitar. Classic songs, sailor songs, old folk songs and even christmas carols sound interestingly different and can be learned but not mastered in the first 3 days of owning this item. I spent $100 and found out that the concertina is something I want to play. I would never ask more of a beginner's instrument. Sometimes the $5 harmonica isn't very shiny and doesn't work right, but it's always good enough to let you know if you like harmonica music or not.