Is This the World's Worst Instrument? (Hohner Concertina) Review
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- Опубліковано 12 лип 2020
- My new channel: Milan Recording Studios
/ @milanrecordingstudios...
Since making this video I have found comments saying sticky buttons are a problem, but have yet to find a reviewer talking about the problem.
So I thought I would buy a concertina, to see if it's possible to buy a small, affordable instrument to have some fun with. However, this particular one is incredibly poorly made and has a number of design flaws that make it impossible to make music with, or even just pleasant noises for that matter. I do not recommend anyone buys this instrument. I was disappointed.
This guy could play the next joker
I bought one of these years ago as my first concertina. It worked initially, but very quickly mine ended up with the exact same problems experienced here! I took it apart more than once, but nothing I ever tried could fix it. The only thing it ended up being good for was the fact that I realized how enjoyable it COULD be to play one. It led me to shell out a lot more for a higher end student model. Now the concertina is one of my favorite instruments to play! So at least it ultimately helped me know I really wanted to seriously play one, but it was a stupidly expensive way to get there.
That instrument is easy to fix. I have the same instrument although mine is a lot older. Had the same problems. Looked at the levers, lubricated, made them easy to move. nothing helped.
What you need to do is take the buttons off the levers and replace the little rubber block with a 3-4 mm long piece of rubber hose, like the stuff used for catapults. Then put the buttons back on. Be careful not to bend the levers.
I know it sounds like that can't be it. But it fixed my instrument, havent had a stuck button since then. Now 6 months ago. Now it plays like a top notch instrument.
Yes, I did the same thing using oxygen hose. The problem is that the old hose can no longer, because of age, push the buttons up all the way and they rub too much against the holes. You can also re-align them by slightly bend the metal flange that the buttons are attached to so that the buttons go up and down with no friction against the holes.
A slight backward bend on the flanges (near the button) should solve the problem but if not, you can use a countersink bit and ream halfway through the holes from the back to alleviate some friction.
I used shrink tubing I love how mechanical get simple it is
Glad I saw this video. I was shopping this model on Reverb. Saves me the heartache of buying it and returning it.
oof, bullet dodged! Hope you found a good instrument instead
Same, loved the look of it and of course the price.
Stagi are a decent maker of reasonably priced concertinas. They are still $500 to $800, and they use accordion reeds. But they are well-made.
It has all the hallmarks of a Chinese-made instrument with the once-great Hohner name stencilled onto it. Very sad.
Hohner's not great anymore? What changed? I'm a newbie interested in getting an accordion and I see Hohners everywhere
@@fonzworthbentley7455 Hohner WERE great when i started playing melodeon [diatonic button accordion] about 40 years ago - I don't know when they sold out to the Chinese, maybe about 20 years ago, but their brand has gone downhill ever since. If you can get a German made box previous to the Chinese takeover it will be fine.
Gi en Hohner's prices quality control sbould really be excellent. Doesn't bode well for their accordions! (
@@christaylor2070 you probably got the last German made ones 40 years ago. That’s right around the time China started opening up its markets, probably only took about 10 years after that for a lot of companies that made stuff like this to switch over because the labor was much cheaper and they didn’t have to follow basic regulations, my dad was an industrial engineer with Kodak in that time period and they wanted to send him to Shanghai for those reasons. I would blame greed more than I would the Chinese, they just took advantage of the greed of our companies. And it’s mostly payed off for them. If we don’t want them to do that, we need stricter laws for our corporations.
Unfortunately a decent working concertina is expensive even on the second hand market. Also don't forget there are 3 systems. The Anglo/German system featured is fun but not fully chromatic. The English concertina is fully chromatic and was originally designed to be played in an orchestra. The Duet systems are designed to play a different tune on each side.
This is Brian Keenan. I have this same concertina. Same problems. I researched and found out there is a tool, ( I made one) that fits over the buttons and straightens them out allowing them to be aligned. Once you get it right and fine tuned, it should be fine for a long time. It comes down to a simple thing of aligning the buttons. And its a fun instrument. The button tool is only a cylinder that fits over the buttons and allows you to bend it and a line it.....while not opening it up.
S Q U E E Z E
I remember, that Hohner was big with harmonicas in the 19 60's and before. It had a good reputation for being actual instruments and not just toys, although they did have a pretty broad market range. I imagine, that they now are just Chinese instruments, which are "Hohner" in name only. I'll bet a little research will show, that like many other instruments, products, or companies, the name has been licensed, in order for some slip shod, barely look alike product to ride the coattails of a good or even just decent past reputation of the name, "Hohner".
I suspect you are right.
@@ThePianoforever Seems like any musical instrument with a "good name" manufactured after about 1965, should be researched with at least a bit of a jaundiced eye. Because of buyouts, mergers, or just plain gone out of business and the rights to the name sold or licensed, there are many "instruments" floating around, that can victimize, those unwilling to do a few Internet searches. By the same token, a few Internet searches can also find a diamond in the rough. An instrument made by a great maker or manufacturer, which was sold under a different, perhaps mass market name, but the fact, that it was made by the hand of a great maker or manufacturer never got out or was all but lost to history.
I was never a very good musician but was always fascinated by the instruments themselves. I know with pianos, that there were many good ones before the Great Depression, that were forgotten about, because their company went under, but not because the piano was bad, but because of their particular financial position, when the Depression came but were great pianos. One of the best sounding pianos, which I ever heard, was a grand piano, that my great aunt purchased in the 1920's called "Bramuller" (not sure if I spelled that right). When I was a little kid In the 1960's, the sound of my great aunt playing that piano, is what made it dawn on me, that some musical instruments are much better than others. They are not commodities.
China is negatively in the news even on my favorite, laid back, information channel.
Thanks for sticking with this review, you probably saved some folks from purchasing a disappointing Christmas present.
It really saddens the heart to see so many companies in all modes of manufacture turn to outsourcing.
I had this exact honer concertina.. It is terrible. didn't even hold enough air to follow along with the simplest of tutorials... So.... I sold it for less than i paid, and I bought a 650$ student model called a "wren" and it is great for a beginner! I've learned around 8 songs or so now because the WREN IS ACTUALLY A PLAYABLE INSTRUMENT TO LEARN ON!
I have heard good things about the Wren concertinas.
This instrument is integral in my culture
Thank you very much for your enlightening candid review. An instrument with such simple construction and quality should not cost up to $300 and I was almost trying to get one.
A decent hand made Wheatstone or Lachenal concertina will run $3,000 to $5,000 - you get what you pay for, I guess.
I was looking at a Wheatstone from the late 1950's, but hard to buy an instrument you can not play.
$3,000 to $5,000, wow, im new to this, i had no idea .
@@ThePianoforever It's also hard to appraise an instrument you can't play, although in this instance I agree that it's pretty worthless: a concertina-shaped object in fact. I had something similar back in the 1970s. It lasted for a few weeks before going out of tune. These cheapo concertinas have badly-made bellows which leak, and frail brass reeds. The springs and pads are probably suspect too, to say nothing of buttons jamming.
The late 1950s isn't the best period for the production of Wheatstone instruments. The best ones were made between 1890 and 1930. Jeffries or Crabb instruments are among the most sought-after from that period. There are now some high-quality modern concertina makers who can command high prices - without being rich.
There are decent starter models made by various workshops.
Concertina connection and McNeela looks very good and would work well.
Cheap? No. Good to set you up for a few years until you can buy a Wheatstone? Definitely
Absolutely ridiculous estimate. Bought my Wheatstone for 1250 on ebay. Was pristine and hardly played with almost no chips in the wood. Only thing wrong was a loose reed. Model was made in the 40's.
Informative and useful - thank you!
It’s the humidity that affects the buttons.my concertina does the same. A little sand paper cures the holes.
I think if you check your buttons when you push on them they should go straight in, when you watch the latter part of my video you will see that the buttons swing and need a elongated hole.
I enjoy your detailed reviews and objective point of views. Keep up the good work! 👍🙂
Are you familiar with the 'Harmonium'. It is an Indian instrument with a keyboard and am interested to know your perspective of it. I'm sure other subscribers of yours from India might also be interested.
I even had one in the old days. That one worked. But, no the one you got there got a couple of problems. As you already noticed the key system isn’t good the proper way is a double spring. One to open it and one to close it. More or less of course you have to open it but you know what I mean. The other problem is the reed itself. The sound is not constant and that is just happened over time. Some of them don’t last that long. The third problem is the holes. Normale they need to be wider and waxed inside. This one is not. Is it to fix? Maybe. I did my own accordion. Should I recommend you to repair it. No. Just hang it on the wall and laugh at it. Sometimes we buy the wrong one. Sorry can’t say something else. Maybe I can tell you that out there somewhere there are really good ones only this one isn’t. Thank you for sharing!
The Wren from McNeela in Ireland is a decent and reasonably priced concertina.
Interesting video and an interesting instrument. You can actually learn about the construction of the concertina here.
The first step to fixing button-sticking is to limit the button-travel so that it cannot be pressed in too far. Glue in some pieces of wood line popsicle sticks under the buttons or get some of that quarter inch thick felt for furniture feet.
Then bevel the holes from the inside a little with files.
Only the metal tongues are reeds. The leather and Mylar ones are valves.
Hohner makes a range of instruments with a range of quality. Some of their diatonic and chromatic button accordions and piano accordions are top quality and others are a waste of resources.
There is no Hohner anymore. It is sold out long time ago. If you like trouble with your instrument take one from this company that calls themself Hohner and is nothing like Hohner ones was. Trouble is guaranteed.
Send it back. Lection learned. Isn't worth a penny, isn't worth any time or effort.
My diatonic button accordion has the exact same problem. You get a sound without pushing a button because the buttons stack in the holes. Grandios.
And the bellow is stiff. Hohner is making me so angry, disappointed. You can't get music out of those things, it is so frustrating.
Hohner them self produces no top diatonic button accordions. And in that highprice range, you can better bay from an italien or french company. Or you order from a local craftsman with a good reputation. That way you will you have fun with your instrument and it is exactly as you need it.
Best to remove the reed assemblies and just pull and push it .. like a mime artist or actor (see Bob Hope singing Buttons & Bows’ from ‘Paleface’ ).. It will only be a heavy breather, of course, but you’ll find it very therapeutic (genuinely “Air Konzertina”)...Oh the advantages all round!
That was very informative..ty!
Maybe if you widen up the holes from the inside without going completely thru and at an angle to accommodate the buttons angle as it is pressed. You could use one of those rotary burr drill bits.
My sister just sent me one of those and luckily it seems to be working just fine. The only problem is I don't don't know how to play it. I have a homeowner diatonic accordion and I had the same problem with that and what I did do is took a piece of sandpaper and just made the holes just a little bit bigger. I'm trying to learn how to play that thing too. Anyway thank you for show me the guts of this thing and I'll fool around with it and hopefully will be able to play a couple simple tunes. Thanks a lot
From the inside I think you should countersink with a countersink bit to open up the back without visibly enlarging the outside diameter of the hole. Secondly, instead of drilling this out, I think a small amount of sand paper, plus some beeswax. A few thou larger and some wax, and it wouldn't stick. I also think some springs underneath the buttons wouldn't go amiss.
Bore the holes in the back of the cover plate. Use a circular file and make a conical shape from the back. The keys will stay straight but will not bind. Also, use beeswax around the keyholes.
I want one of these, but I respect my family's right to not hear awful sounds throughout the day.
could you maybe do a review about some of the cheaper classic cantable models (for example the 500$ classic cantable dp-50)? the opinions on it are very mixed, if it is an instrument you could consider or if its just too cheap. i would really like to see your opinions on it.
I feel like you'd be better off spending the same amount of money on something by a reputable brand like Yamaha or Kawai, which will give you a higher build quality and better sounds. The Cantabile DP-50 would work for learning the ropes, but not much more, while slightly more expensive Yamahas or Kawais would still be useful many years later.
This is all without playing it, of course. If I did play it, I'd probably find plenty of other reasons why you shouldn't buy one.
@@ThePianoforever ok, thanks for the answer! Because im pretty young, and my only source of money is pocket money i, cant buy myself a really expensive keyboard. when i saw one on ebay while searching for a used p45, I thought about buying one instead because it had a more home like construction, but I guess I will then buy the p45.
I have an old Hohner which I think is the same model as this one, I don't know if it was made in Germany or China but I have to say, I think I'll keep mine haha! Funnily enough it's also been more reliable than two higher quality ones someone I know has. I only had it in my hands for a couple of minutes though.
Is there always sticky keys or just the one you had
You could buy a musical saw?
I know Thomas Flinn is a popular manufacturer.
Fascinating! Do you fix many instruments yourself?
We do all the repairs of instruments at Milan Recording Studios and we have for years for our personal use, with the exception of repairs that require electrical expertise.
Sorry what is the model of this ? i have a possibility to buy a concertina hohner d30/60/8l. Is it bad ?
I believe this might be the D40, but would stay away from all of them until you do the research. I think the ones that are presently being made in China are just the lowest possible quality.
@@ThePianoforever do you know what is the best lower price concertina ? I have only a 160€ budget
James, you could donate it to the MIM as an example of a concertina NOT to buy!😂
"There are some amazing Irish musicians who do some incredible things with them..."
They don't achieve such results with substandard toys like this. They expect to shell out thousands of euros to get a good instrument that works.
However, I have a pointer for the world's worst instrument: hurdy gurdy-shaped objects as turned out by Galloping Gurdies or Altarwind (both based in Oregon). They actually sound worse than these toy concertinas.
13:45 Giant Steps but it's only the first 4 notes
Lol youre right!
Graphite powder may solve your problem. Don't use oil or wax.
I would probably be too afraid to break it, so I would just say I can play more notes then I have fingers.
6:16 I heard a discord notification sound
Good video. A little graphite on the buttons would probably work. Very basic concertina. Some concertinas can make some very good music.
I think this one was not destined for greatness.
ThePianoforever Perhaps not. Might be a good conversation piece on a shelf somewhere!
I like veryl much!.
Have you ever tried an Argentinian bandoneón? It's a very sofisticated version of it.
That's what started this all off in the beginning. It's just hard to find a good instrument that you can lay your hands on to try out.
Why did I just spend 21 minutes watching a video on trying to repair a defective, poorly designed noise-maker? Fan loyalty carried to a ridiculous extreme. Gosh, I hope that doesn't sound negative. I am a fan, after all. As S Tahboub said more diplomatically, "amusing and kinda charming." Yes, James is. Not concertinas, repairing concertinas, or repairing anything. I hope you can get your money back. You were misled about the condition of the "instrument."
I had hoped that the end would have been different, but at least it might save a few from purchasing on of these models. In hindsight, I wish I had watched the video rather than make it.
@@ThePianoforever You're sort of the Consumer Reports of musical instruments, mostly pianos, of course. You had to record your experience and attempts to repair the concertina as you went along, not knowing what the outcome would be. And then at the very end when it's still defective, what do you do? May as well finish editing and upload, after investing your time and energy. I'm not sorry I watched. I'm just a little surprised I did. A few years ago, if I'd seen a UA-cam title "Is This the World's Worst Instrument? (Concertina)," with no mention of brand, I would have said Yes. But now I think every musical instrument has something to offer. They can't all be as profound as the piano or the human voice.
Interesting and informative video. The buttons swing in an arc, whereas the holes are drilled straight through... it's inevitable for them to bind while moving, even with flexible materials used to make the buttons. The problem stems from an antiquated legacy engineering detail that can be addressed with CAD and 3D printing(injection molding for mass production) by an industrial designer or engineer. It seems like the instrument deserves a modern update.
thanks for making this
Hohner quality issues has led folk players to say good-bye! to such an esteemed history of wonderful instruments that performed like no other ! Why sacrifice a legend to save a few Chinese dollars ! PS----- Stay away from their lower priced Accordions----JUNK !!
Look at this store: There is a Concertina by a „chinese manufacturer“ that looks almost the same. www.musikhaus-hoppe.com/concertina.htm
On the other hand there is NO concertina mentioned on the German homepage of Hohner. I guess (!) it has nothing to do with Hohner products from the German company, which are still quite ok.
Hohner is doing a great deal to hurt their name and reputation.
@@ThePianoforever Was this abomination actually sold by Hohner or did someone else put the Hohner name on it? They still make decent quality instruments, this one not included.
An old high quality, or even decent quality, diatonic accordion is a fun instrument. If you get an old one for cheap it'll most likely need some maintenance, but fixing them up is quite a rewarding hobby in itself! This one is not worth any effort though, the only part of it that seems at least semi decent by the looks of it is the bag!
(Also the plastic or leather flaps are the one way air vents on the back side of the reeds, by the way.)
@@Balkongodlaren Hohner did do concertinas quite a while ago, and had them made in Italy and China. I don’t know if they do them any more though.
These reeds are made from a fabric??
18:49 I'm not saying you shouldn't but you shouldn't
instead of making the holes on the face plate larger, or elongating them, I would personally just use a countersink on the underside and and that would remove most of the material that's actually rubbing on the button. That is, if you were really dead set on keeping it, and making it sound and look as nice as possible.
Obviously that's not the case, but it's fun to think about how to fix it none the less
Greetings, dear James.
Sunflower, nice to see you again.
*"DON'T TOUCH IT! IT'S EEEEVIL: CONCENTRATED EEEEVIL!!!"*
ua-cam.com/video/lG5O4Sk2m74/v-deo.html
(video created by an acquaintance of mine)
All kidding aside, the 20 button Anglo is a fun instrument to fool around with. The one I have is not a Hohner, afaik: I got it maybe 30-odd years ago.
BTW, those 'cloth or plastic' pieces are not reeds: they're valves, to keep the 'push' reeds from sounding on the 'pull', and vice versa.
But Hohner's harmonicas made in germany are really not bad, it's just sad to see that they've sold out like that
Yeah, they went into new management in the late 90's and they've really declined in quality since then :/
Is that what The Who were talking about when they said mama had a squeezebox?
I think they were probably talking about a diatonic button accordion (looks like an accordion, sounds like an accordion, plays like a concertina). They are commonly used in Cajun and European folk music.
Yes, but only in the single entendre version.
Hohner used to make concerntinas in Germany but I believe they were bought out by a chinese consortium and now no longer have creative and productive control over their products. very sad.
I have taken note of their quality of new instruments.
Shit maybe I should return it. Bought one. Highest key don't work at all. Lowest key don't work well either
300$ toy, at least its better than my 100$ rockjam keyboard. although i am saving up for a p45 after watching your videos, its certainly the best instrument you can buy for that price. i always enjoy watching your videos, especially the piano rewievs, keep up the good work!
Check out a 2nd hand Roland RP301R or 401R if you want a bargain that plays beautifully. That's what I bought.
idk about other hohner instruments, but their harmonicas are great
this is definitely what a bee plays
loved this guy in the latest season of Stranger Things.
Get yourself a star concertina
Whose in paris
I had the same problem about 25 years ago. It was probably also a Hohner. The quality was really bad.
I actually got a refund, saved up some more money and bought a Stagi which was great quality. Never learned to play it though. Maybe some tunes, but I think it´s really hard to play on these.
A "real" accordion is really a lot more playable.
Yes. Yes it is.
Is this the worlds worst instrument ? Well, the guys that escaped alcatraz didn't think so lol 👍😃.
To anyone who's excusing this as being $300 and therefore what should be expected, think about what else you can get from China for $300 that doesn't require excuses. Tablet computers, SLR cameras, drones, Behringer Model D, etc. Let's say it took James 2 hours to diagnose this the first time he ever saw the instrument. Let's hope that someone at Hohner's factory could do the whole job reworking it in that time, since it's not their first day. That two hours of additional labor would add about $10 to the cost of the instrument, but multiply its inherent value. I'm a fan of cost cutting, but look at what cutting those last $10 did.
Musical David Spade
Pretty cool James. I endorse Petosa accordions. Check them out if you can. Thanks.
I am looking just for a basic model and was thinking about the Wren Anglo Concertina 2. Do you know anything about them?
@@ThePianoforever The Wren has a good reputation for its price. The Rochelle from Concertina Connection is the primary decent competitor in that price range. They're both acceptable Anglo concertinas for beginning players.
@@ThePianoforever Not sure about that James. I am sure as can be about the Petosa Quality. I bought many of my pro keyboards from Carl Petosa over the years and always wanted to purchase and accordion from his family. I have especially thinking about this Cajun model. What do you think? www.petosa.com/product/petosa-cajun-single-row-c/
Douglas Emerson, I would like to thank you for the recommendation of the Petosa Cajun accordion. I plan on reviewing it in the near future and I feel it will be an excellent instrument.
@@ThePianoforever Thanks James.. I have not played one but some friend have and love it. Some day we will get our "hands" on one. Looking forward to it in the future.
This guy dont play Sea of thieves
In my experience Hohner reed instruments have gone all to hell in the past few years. Earlier-made ones might have been better, but nowadays . . . ugh. And no Chinese-made reed instrument is anything but landfill. Many Chinese instruments in general are at least OK, but harmonicas or concertinas, not so much. Too bad; concertinas are a riot, at least when they're working.
There are many artists that specialize in making music and art from cheap quality instruments and tools. They know how to get the best out of what they have. I am thinking of the drummers, especially that use plastic buckets and photographers that use cheap plastic Chinese cameras; but you are right, cheap tools are not good in the hands of beginners, you need to be an artist to start with and know what your goal is.
The design is so bad that not the best musician could play this instrument unless he incorporated sticky notes into his composition.
I'm not sure why you say these are "popular" as they are in fact quite obscure. Most American Gen X'ers to Z'ers are only familiar with concertinas due to their comic depiction in classic cartoons.
Do you heard about Recorder ?
It sounds bad quality and ugly !
I find it amusing and kinda charming, haha
I liked the idea of it and really want one, but this thing is terrible. I did some searching last night and it does seem that people who have purchased this model have found this problem as well. It's not even a good toy.
@@ThePianoforever I'm sure you can find a better replacement to fit the role
Yeah, I just don't like diatonic boxes. And the fact that it's made in China, makes it worse. I play the chromatic button accordion, and had a diatonic Cajun accordion for a while but hardly ever played it.
It’s lovely, fantastic instrument, but sucks.