Melodeon.net Forums

Discussions => Instrument Design, Construction and Repair => Topic started by: Pete Dunk on February 04, 2019, 09:38:13 PM

Title: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: Pete Dunk on February 04, 2019, 09:38:13 PM
My new box started life in the 1930s as a C/F Liliput. Kay Albrecht waved his magic wand over it and now it's a classy little (Anahata) G scale D/G with 26 buttons on the treble end, 12 basses with no thirds in the chords and tuned with a light swing. The action is light and very fast, the voicing is extraordinary and it barks like a top quality concertina.

This is my first Albrecht box, I very much doubt it will be the last.

Pictures (https://app.box.com/s/5psg1s5ssvwixak4iybsvkt6bgqhepmj).
Title: Re: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: Helena Handcart on February 04, 2019, 09:46:14 PM

This is my first Albrecht box, I very much doubt it will be the last.


I believe there is a queue forming already... ::)
Title: Re: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: Pete Dunk on February 04, 2019, 09:59:30 PM
Let's hope 'existing customers' get first dibs then, I have an old Hohner Club box LMM with stops. I have a dream, lets hope Kay is up to a challenge!  >:E 8)
Title: Re: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: playandteach on February 04, 2019, 10:01:12 PM
Be interesting to know which parts are original - Reeds, mech, etc. Also what's holding the pallettes on (or is that a part way photo)?
But best of all it would be good to hear it.
Title: Re: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: Winston Smith on February 04, 2019, 10:14:59 PM
Just WOW! That's a thing of real beauty. I'm insanely jealous, but getting a mortgage at my age might prove to be a bit tricky, methinks.
Title: Re: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: Pete Dunk on February 04, 2019, 10:26:08 PM
But best of all it would be good to hear it.

I'll try to summon up enough courage to make a video. That's really hard for me as my once blase attitude to public performance has now turned into a real ordeal. I can probably make a 'walking through the notes' style video without too many problems, playing a tune may be a great deal more difficult!
Title: Re: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: Fred on February 04, 2019, 10:45:32 PM
This is an extraordinarily good looking box. I, too, am interested in the parts that are still original and in a sound sample. (:)
Title: Re: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: Pete Dunk on February 04, 2019, 10:46:24 PM
Just WOW! That's a thing of real beauty. I'm insanely jealous, but getting a mortgage at my age might prove to be a bit tricky, methinks.

This is not a mortgage level instrument! Kay asked a very reasonable £700 for this Liliput, including postage within the EU. Looking around I think most dealers/restorers would be asking £50 more for a straightforward refurbishment of an original box. This isn't a critisism of the average price of restoring these boxes, merely an endorsment of the great value that Kay Albrecht offers for his 'tweaked' boxes.
Oh, and a geezer wealthy enough to own property in Luxor might like to consider himself wealthy enough.
Title: Re: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: Pete Dunk on February 04, 2019, 10:56:36 PM
This is an extraordinarily good looking box. I, too, am interested in the parts that are still original and in a sound sample. (:)

Okay, that's a reasonable request and I'm greatly impressed by your playing so I'll grit my teeth and do my best to provide a video. You'll have to ask Kay about how much of the box is original though, I've not yet summoned up enough bravery to take tools to it and examine the innards. "There be Dragons" they say, "I'm too frit" says I!!
Title: Re: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: invadm on February 08, 2019, 05:14:29 PM
very nice little box indeed and beautifully re-finished.  enjoy  ..I wonder how Mr Kay would feel about re finishing an old poker work,same button and veneer look  ;)       
Title: Re: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: Thrupenny Bit on February 08, 2019, 05:24:21 PM
Pete, it is a fantastic looking box.
I remember it coming up for sale and chuckling at the nano seconds it took for you to grab it, and why not indeed  ;D
Yes it'll be interesting to hear what it sounds like.
'tis a thing of beauty...… good for you.
Q
Title: Re: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: Pete Dunk on February 09, 2019, 11:48:01 AM
I spotted it in nano seconds after it was posted Q, but it actually took over five hours for me to send a PM to nab it (http://forum.melodeon.net/index.php/topic,23297.0.html).
Title: Re: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: Pete Dunk on February 09, 2019, 11:52:06 AM
I wonder how Mr Kay would feel about re finishing an old poker work,same button and veneer look  ;)

You could send Kay a PM and ask the question but he did a lot more than changing the buttons and veneering the casework on the Liliput.
Title: Re: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: Thrupenny Bit on February 09, 2019, 01:18:32 PM
 (:)
Title: Re: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: John MacKenzie (Cugiok) on February 09, 2019, 07:38:22 PM
Kay has a FB page, and there are quite a few photo's of the beast in transformation. Apart from adding 4 bass buttons, fitting it with a beautiful veneer, and adding a 5th accidental, he fitted and bushed new treble, and bass buttons. I think the frame, the treble mechanism, and the fondo are original, but almost everything else, is remade. Can't figure out what he's done at the bass end in adding the extra 4 buttons though.

Sir John
Title: Re: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: Theo on February 09, 2019, 09:31:36 PM
Completely new bass mechanism I think.
Title: Re: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: Clive Williams on February 09, 2019, 10:15:39 PM
I was a few hours behind you on this Pete - would have snapped it up too if I could. I have Kay's G/C Lilliput conversion, and it too is a thing of beauty and amazement. Kay's quite the craftsman.
Title: Re: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: Pete Dunk on February 10, 2019, 06:46:56 PM
Completely new bass mechanism I think.

From the photos I would agree. Before this week is out I'll be whipping the base end cover off for a closer inspection and will report back.
Title: Re: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: Pete Dunk on February 10, 2019, 06:53:07 PM
I was a few hours behind you on this Pete - would have snapped it up too if I could. I have Kay's G/C Lilliput conversion, and it too is a thing of beauty and amazement. Kay's quite the craftsman.

I can't believe I'm saying this but I can feel a trip to Milton Keynes coming on, I'd love to have your opinion on it Clive. Had this one been a 26 button, 12 bass, C scale G/C with no thirds in the chords then the 5 hour thinking time would have been about 5 seconds, I can tell you that!
Title: Re: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: Clive Williams on February 11, 2019, 08:37:09 PM

I can't believe I'm saying this but I can feel a trip to Milton Keynes coming on, I'd love to have your opinion on it Clive. Had this one been a 26 button, 12 bass, C scale G/C with no thirds in the chords then the 5 hour thinking time would have been about 5 seconds, I can tell you that!

I know a tune called that :-) That would be great Pete; always happy to meet fellow melnetters and drool over their melodeons!
Title: Re: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: Pete Dunk on February 11, 2019, 09:27:58 PM
Two new pics of the bass mechanism and buttons. The buttons appear to be made from Delrin, a fabulous engineering plastic. A lot of thought has gone into this work, getting so much into such a small space. I think this box is a (very good) prototype, the final thing will be breathtaking and rather more expensive methinks.
Title: Re: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: squeezy on February 12, 2019, 08:38:56 PM
I couldn't believe that one came up at the price it was!  So much work has gone in to it.
Title: Re: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: Pete Dunk on February 12, 2019, 10:03:53 PM
Quite so John. I reckon you would be the best person to put this box though its' paces and give it a proper evaluation. Give me a time and a place and I'll do my best to make it happen!
Title: Re: A Heavily Remodelled Liliput
Post by: invadm on February 12, 2019, 11:28:42 PM
Two new pics of the bass mechanism and buttons. The buttons appear to be made from Delrin, a fabulous engineering plastic. A lot of thought has gone into this work, getting so much into such a small space. I think this box is a (very good) prototype, the final thing will be breathtaking and rather more expensive methinks.
well...that is not a Lilliput any longer  (:) it's a AKayput and beautiful one too.   
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal