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[ladydetemps]

I have my Tommy which I love...but what I don't love is its worth. I live in fear that if something happens to it I can't afford to replace it.

And before you say insurance. I don't sign contracts I don't understand...and I never understand insurance contracts, wouldn't have a clue how to 'value' the box... just know I couldn't get a new one. Even being insured wouldn't give me peace of mind.

What would though would be a *cheap* small box. That I could take with me to festivals/on holiday. But there seems that isn't possible.

You'd think a box that was smaller would take less resources and thus be cheaper?

*sigh* Oh well...just gotta get better at the fiddle at least I can replace that if it got broke or stolen.

[Anahata]

What would though would be a *cheap* small box. That I could take with me to festivals/on holiday. But there seems that isn't possible.

Hohner pokerwork is obvious choice - or is that too big?

*sigh* Oh well...just gotta get better at the fiddle at least I can replace that if it got broke or stolen.

You need a better fiddle 

[ladydetemps]

What would though would be a *cheap* small box. That I could take with me to festivals/on holiday. But there seems that isn't possible.

Hohner pokerwork is obvious choice - or is that too big?

*sigh* Oh well...just gotta get better at the fiddle at least I can replace that if it got broke or stolen.

You need a better fiddle 

Yeah the pokerwork is too big for me.

I don't think I'll be buying a stradavarius.

[Sandy Flett]

I have heard of quite a few people who opt for a Liliput as a "take away" melodeon, and it has the benefit, for you, of being small. I just sold a restored DG Liliput for £600, but they might be a bit more direct from the likes of Mike Rowbotham as you get his guarantees, choice of tuning, etc.

[BFG]

Having been the recipient (or rather my daughter has) of Sandy's Liliput, I can vouch for the fact that they are lovely little instruments, with an absolutely enormous sound. Very portable, and 2.5 row which I'm very jealous of (she won't let me play it!).

Rob

[Dazbo]

...wouldn't have a clue how to 'value' the box... just know I couldn't get a new one. Even being insured wouldn't give me peace of mind.

Valuing the box shouldn't be a problem.  My insurance is to replace with a new one so every year all I do is tell them what the new ones are selling for in the shops so no need for calculating depreciation and wear and tear.

[Howard Jones]

Have you checked your household insurance policy?  You may be able to get it listed under "all-risks" which would cover you when you take it out of the house.  You should make sure it's insured for replacement cost, otherwise you'll just get its depreciated value.  Replacement cost is what you would pay for a new one in a shop, so just check some of their websites.  No different really from a camera or laptop or iPhone.

Household policies vary enormously in their attitude to instruments. Some are quite happy to cover them, others won't touch them.  Some will only cover them if you don't perform on them, which seems to miss the point somewhat.  Hardly any will cover you if you perform for payment, but there are specialist companies which will.

If you need a specialist company, Newmoon have been discussed on here before and are very helpful.  Fortunately, I'm not able to comment on how well they handle claims.

[waltzman]

I don't sign contracts I don't understand...and I never understand insurance contracts

Ha.  When my business partner and I bought a new building we signed a stack of very small print papers two inches high.  We asked our lawyer what the contracts said and he replied 'It's all standard stuff everybody has to sign.  If you want us to read them  it will be $2000 extra).  I think it's a sign of a declining civilization with an overabundance of lawyers.  

Back on topic....I think you might be happy with a properly done up Erica.  They are more comfortable to play than a Pokerwork and feel smaller due to the rounded edges.

[ladydetemps]

Have you checked your household insurance policy? 

Erm...don't have any.

[LDbosca]

And before you say insurance. I don't sign contracts I don't understand...and I never understand insurance contracts, wouldn't have a clue how to 'value' the box... just know I couldn't get a new one. Even being insured wouldn't give me peace of mind.

If your box is that important then maybe you could take the time to learn what a few insurance terms mean and consider insuring it? I imagine the value of the box is slightly below what you paid for it, depending on its condition.

It would seem a shame to not play it at festivals because it's "too good."

[Alison Scott]

I have my Tommy which I love...but what I don't love is its worth. I live in fear that if something happens to it I can't afford to replace it.

And before you say insurance. I don't sign contracts I don't understand...and I never understand insurance contracts, wouldn't have a clue how to 'value' the box... just know I couldn't get a new one. Even being insured wouldn't give me peace of mind.

If you're in the UK then consumer protection law is on your side -- basically, it's the insurer's job to make sure you understand. Everyone recommends New Moon round here.

What would though would be a *cheap* small box. That I could take with me to festivals/on holiday. But there seems that isn't possible.

You'd think a box that was smaller would take less resources and thus be cheaper?

*sigh* Oh well...just gotta get better at the fiddle at least I can replace that if it got broke or stolen.

That's why I have a Liliput. If you're prepared to hang around German eBay they can be picked up for under £100 but you will have to factor in restoration and retuning.

[ladydetemps]

If your box is that important then maybe you could take the time to learn what a few insurance terms mean and consider insuring it? I imagine the value of the box is slightly below what you paid for it, depending on its condition.

It would seem a shame to not play it at festivals because it's "too good."

And last time I tried to read the gobbledy gook it seemed to say it wasn't insured for any situation I would insure it for???

If you're in the UK then consumer protection law is on your side -- basically, it's the insurer's job to make sure you understand. Everyone recommends New Moon round here.

Has anyone claimed with them yet though..because as they say proof of pudding is in the eating.

That's why I have a Liliput. If you're prepared to hang around German eBay they can be picked up for under £100 but you will have to factor in restoration and retuning.

Not really something I'm confident with doing.

[Tufty]

As previously mentioned an Erica would be a fairly cheap/compact option. Although it has the same internals as a pokerwork the box is better designed and more comfortable to use. I have a Lilliput on route from Herefordshire at present but would not call it a low cost option.

[Marje]

It seems a shame to have a box you love and then not play it at the times when you could most enjoy it. It reminds me of my aunt, who had a valuable pearl necklace and kept it in the bank. (It came to me when she died. I sold it, but even then I felt it would have been better for her to enjoy it during her life, albeit at a slight risk).

If you can get it insured, perhaps as an all-risks extension of your house contents policy, this would give at least some protection. Maybe it wouldn't cover anything that looked like negligence on your part, but it would probably cover some of the worst-case scenarios. If you already have contents policy, this would already cover it for theft etc in the home, as long as it's within the value limit for any one item.

I've had mine insured in this way since I first got a melodeon over 20 years ago, and there has never been a need to claim. If you're careful with it and don't do silly things like leaving it unattended for long times in public places, there's a good chance that it will survive normal use. Most melodeon players are pretty scrupulous about keeping an eye on their box when they're out and about, and treat it a bit like a baby that they're looking after. Well ok, you wouldn't lock the baby in the boot of the car, but you know what I mean. You stay aware of it, just as you do your wallet, your keys, your wife/husband.

Maybe we worry too much about always being covered. It's not like your house burning down - at the very worst you might have to save up for another one.

[jonm]

I use MIS (musicians' insurance services). I insure each instrument for a value I provide (I use new replacement price each year) and the premium is based on this. I insure for all risks, damage and theft, instruments are insured in the home, in transit, at gigs, wherever, including for accidental damage. Two people I know have had necessity to claim and both received a pay-out immediately.

Personally, since it's insured, my Lilly goes with me without worry - they are easy to replace so long as you have the money. I'd do the same if I had a Tommy (if only...) whereas the only instrument I am wary of taking everywhere is my concertina, simply because replacing it would be so difficult regardless of cost. If I bought a Lilliput or Preciosa, I might love it so much I would then not take it out on the grounds of irreplaceability!

An Erica sounds like a decent compromise.

[Sandy Flett]

I use MIS (musicians' insurance services). I insure each instrument for a value I provide (I use new replacement price each year) and the premium is based on this. I insure for all risks, damage and theft, instruments are insured in the home, in transit, at gigs, wherever, including for accidental damage.......

I have been insured with MIS (FolkPlay policy), on the same basis as jonm has described, for many years and have always found them very responsive and flexible on the insuring side, and have no reason to believe they would be any different if I ever had to make a claim.

[ladydetemps]

I use MIS (musicians' insurance services).

But...am I a musician? (or is that a question for another thread)

I've had mine insured in this way since I first got a melodeon over 20 years ago, and there has never been a need to claim. If you're careful with it and don't do silly things like leaving it unattended for long times in public places, there's a good chance that it will survive normal use. Most melodeon players are pretty scrupulous about keeping an eye on their box when they're out and about, and treat it a bit like a baby that they're looking after. Well ok, you wouldn't lock the baby in the boot of the car, but you know what I mean. You stay aware of it, just as you do your wallet, your keys, your wife/husband.

Maybe we worry too much about always being covered. It's not like your house burning down - at the very worst you might have to save up for another one.

It would take me about 2-3 years to save up for the replacement if it stayed the same price it is now for a new one.

I find its easier at smaller events at sessions I tend to keep it permanently shackled to me...but when it comes to big festivals....where carrying it round all day isn't practical....that's when I worry. Wish there was some kind of big safe I could put it in at festivals.

[Dazbo]

Wish there was some kind of big safe I could put it in at festivals.

I've thought that myself, not just for my boxes (which are insured) but for other valuables (such as spare car keys in case of loss) whilst camping.  It's not quite the same but in ages past when I did competitive rifle shooting at Bisley they had a container where you could lock up your gun and ammo and it was permanently manned - very convienient if you weren't a member of any of the club houses.  Perhaps there's a revenue earning service a cunning festival organiser could set up.

[Alison Scott]

I find its easier at smaller events at sessions I tend to keep it permanently shackled to me...but when it comes to big festivals....where carrying it round all day isn't practical....that's when I worry. Wish there was some kind of big safe I could put it in at festivals.

We of course take a car to festivals, which is itself a sort of portable left luggage locker. But the *other* advantage of the Liliput, apart from its relatively low price/functionality ratio, is that it's small enough to cart around all day without its being a hardship.

[Matthew B]

I have heard of quite a few people who opt for a Liliput as a "take away" melodeon, and it has the benefit, for you, of being small.

Well, I'll certainly vouch for them as "take away" boxes.  My D/G Liliput just went on the road with me to the UK, and it was great.  Light, versatile, noisy, and sweet-sounding.  It was a great talking point, and well able to keep up with a good deal of the music I encountered in my travels.  All in all, the perfect travel box.   

And then someone stole it. 

So there's a problem un-solved.