In the pipeline

More than once, I've heard Shakespeares described as the poor man's Jeffries. This, I think, does them an injustice. They are beautiful instruments in their own right, with slightly raised ends, riveted action, and as fast a response as you could shake a stick at. In fact, my own view is that they are rather better made than the average Jeffries. The bush-boards, for instance, are cut out with curves that follow the lines of the button holes, rather than hacked out in a series of straight lines like a Jeffries.

OK, the sound isn't as strident as a Jeffries, but it's plenty loud enough to hold its own in a session.

This one will have new pads, valves, bushes and 7-fold bellows. And if a Jeffries is stretching your budget a bit too far, this would be a cracking option.

Guide price: £3750

38-key Shakespeare Anglo in C/G

I have long been an admirer of Lachenal's New Model. In my view it is generally under-rated and undervalued. In fact, I believe that the only thing an Edeophone does better is to roll off tables.

I do, however, have one small reservation: almost always, New Model bellows fail to open as fully as you might expect - and this one is no exception. That's why I intend to make and fit new "stretched hexagon" bellows. And when that is done, I'm pretty sure this will be one of the finest baritones that has ever passed through my hands.

Even in its present unrestored condition, with flattened pads and stiff, curly valves, it is obvious that it is blessed with a wonderfully responsive set of steel reeds. And although it lacks four of the highest notes compared with a 48-key, it does offer a window-rattling F in place of the low G# on the right-hand side.

Guide price: £3250

44-key Lachenal New Model baritone

If one of these instruments interests you, it can be moved to the front of the queue, to be ready for sale in a month or so. For more information, please email me via the Contact page, or call me on 01603 702644