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[Chris Ryall]

I can't get on with Tommys , the step height between the two rows is much too high for me

Stay with real melodeons, Hohners  . 

   Just realised why our Pikey … is so good at pinball!

[Thrupenny Bit]

It's worth trying a Tommy, I simply have no sense of the stepped fingerboard. It is of no significance for me.
I can't get on with Hohners, my fingers disappear down the button holes, I have to push much harder and really dislike their air button 

Though in fairness, tried Young Ray of this parish's doctored 2.5row/12bass and really liked it..... Apart from the air button!
We're all different, it's worth a go.
Q

[baz parkes]

Bit late to this particular party but...before some scrote stole it I had a Salterelle with a stepped keyboard which was my D/G band box...I also use a Hohner Pressedwood in C/F.  I found switching from one to the other mid set no problem...the difficult bit is bending down to pick the other one up...

[Graham Spencer]

Bit late to this particular party but...before some scrote stole it I had a Salterelle with a stepped keyboard which was my D/G band box...I also use a Hohner Pressedwood in C/F.  I found switching from one to the other mid set no problem...the difficult bit is bending down to pick the other one up...

Likewise - my D/G Saltarelle is also stepped, and I can swap between it and a Hohner 2915 C/F with absolutely no problem. I've never owned a Tommy, though I have borrowed one. I found it a bit small and I'm afraid I didn't fall in love with it. Yes, I do realise I'm in a minority........

Graham

[Chris Ryall]

I've borrowed 'em too. Kept running out of air unless you were a genius with the air valve. 

[Lester]

I've borrowed 'em too. Kept running out of air unless you were a genius with the air valve. 

Thank you, not often I'm called a genius 

[Thrupenny Bit]

Totally agree with lester 
Q

[Steve C.]

Probably the (only?) Tommy soft spot: when playing LMM, you really do have to watch your air!  Not as issue when playing MM.

[Tufty]

I have only had a Tommy for a few weeks and really like it for most things, although the left hand can seem quiet sometimes. No problem with the air supply. Took it to Dartmoor and it coped with the sessions there, so no issues with volume! At the same time I have three Hohners, so they are great as well, with a bit of sorting out. Some of us are just spoilt having both.

[Guy]

I've borrowed 'em too. Kept running out of air unless you were a genius with the air valve. 

Thank you, not often I'm called a genius 

Lester, you're a genius. As am I, apparently, and very unexpectedly...I used the Tommy as my main band and Morris box for years, and it never ran out of air. It did play some slightly unexpected notes occasionally, but I have a suspicion that this is more to do with the person pressing the buttons....

Cheers,
Guy

[Steve C.]

(Ouch!)
But probably too, too true.
Air management is something yet to be mastered.

[Thrupenny Bit]

I've learnt on my Tommy. When I bought it I couldn't play a tune but immediately took to its responsiveness and effortless way to make a sound from it. That's why I bought it.
I presume, now, that air management has been built into my playing as for 2-3 years it was my only box.
I now mainly use a Hascy, it's full sized and has larger bellows. As I'm now in my 'festival' mode I am using the Tommy much more as its a lighter thing to  carry around. I'm unaware of air management, quite possibly as said, it's become part of my playing. I've just sat in the sun for a few tunes, using the Tommys third voice which is something I don't normally do. I can feel the bellows working more, logical as I'm using another reed so more holes for the air to go through..... But it's manageable and for me not a problem.
If that helps.....
Cheers
Q

[Chris Ryall]

Much depends on one's play style in small lung kit, though having all 3 reeds in use is a factor.  The more you play English/on row the less problems you'll have balancing those bellows. The more you play "cross fingering" …

Even saying that, I remember running out of push air in eg Soldier's joy. I was driving a Lily at the time.

[Thrupenny Bit]

As you say, personal style has a lot to do with it.
I used to play English Concertina so I might have (must have?) brought some bellows control over from that too.
I'm not used to playing with massive stretches of bellows for whatever reasons.
Q

[Rob2Hook]

Yes, a concertina (especially a student model) has less volume to its bellows, but an English is not bisonoric, so you can reverse bellows whenever you like - more significant with a syudent model anglo.  It will still give you a style that uses the air efficiently though.

I've found that with small bellows models it becomes important to play using pulses to accent rhythm rather than trying to play full bore throughout - that saves a lot of air.  The Tommy is pretty much on the cusp of being considered in this category depending on whether the L voice is in or not.  As for the basses, I'd describe them as "light" rather than quiet, they're not very deep in tone but that helps in saving air and they can be held for longer than deep Hohner style basses which often need to be tapped lightly to avoid drowning out the treble end.  The only small model I really couldn't come to terms with is the Preciosa, which is very air hungry for the small bellows it has and doesn't do quiet!

Rob.

[up-fiddler]

An update:

So for the last two weeks I have happily wrestled with the Tommy I bought. I love it. After I was accustomed to the tighter spacing it was a joy to play. The reeds fire quickly and the effort needed to play is far less than my Corso or Club. I agree that air management is crucial when playing across the rows in LMM but my time spent with anglo concertinas has me ever-mindful of bellows control. The weaker bass is a downside. That said, I never have to worry about the bass trouncing over the melody on the Tommy. I can't say that of my Hohners.

Once again, I would like to thank everyone for their comments and help. Rob's thoughts on 'pulsing' the rhythm is a great reminder for me in particular.

Thanks again,
Dave

[Alan Morley]

I'd suggest that you sit and have a go on as many boxes as you can before you shell out on a Tomy, they don't suit everyone. It depends on your style of playing and what sort of tone you are looking for.
I have an ISIS melodeon (Italian made) and also a couple of Hohners - an Eria and a Corona 2 and happily use each of them depending on what tunes I'm playing.

[Steve_freereeder]

I'd suggest that you sit and have a go on as many boxes as you can before you shell out on a Tomy,...

You're a bit behind, Alan. If you read the previous post you will see the OP has already bought a Tommy and loves it.
I had a Tommy for many years and really liked it. Eventually I sold it to another forum member and it's still going strong as far as I know.

Yer tiz, the very instrument:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6trxMOn5Ik

[arty]

It's worth trying a Tommy, I simply have no sense of the stepped fingerboard. It is of no significance for me.
I can't get on with Hohners, my fingers disappear down the button holes, I have to push much harder and really dislike their air button 

Though in fairness, tried Young Ray of this parish's doctored 2.5row/12bass and really liked it..... Apart from the air button!
We're all different, it's worth a go.
Q

Like you Q, I don't like the Hohner air button but I do love the sound of a well set up Hohner, in fact I don't think you can beat it for certain types of music. And if it is set up properly, your fingers certainly won't disappear down the button holes!
I have recently received an old Hohner Erika, completely restored and modified to my specification by Mike Rowbotham. Tuned G/C, it now has 12 basses and a stop to take out the thirds in the basses. But more importantly, for this discussion, Mike removed the old Hohner air button and fitted a 'Castagnari type' push in air button for me. It works a treat !!! It is a joy to play, and that sound......!!!! Heavenly 

[Thrupenny Bit]

I tried a 3voice 2.5 row old Erika in superb condition, complete with original case and provenance.
Though my fingers did disappear down the holes, I noticed the original air button was a castagnari style push down lever. I was somewhat surprised at this air button on a Hohner.
Q