xingfan1227
Member
Hi - I've searched the forum and couldn't really find a thread on this. If we are strictly talking about new accoustic piano accordions (120 bass), and if price isn't a factor, what are currently the best options/models?
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Best New Accoustic Piano Accordion
- Thread starter xingfan1227
- Start date
It's been over 20 years since I was looking for a new acoustic piano accordion so I compared many while at the Frankfurter Musikmesse. My conclusion at the time was that the Beltuna Leader V was the best one. I did not buy it, because for me price was a factor.
I was looking for a 5 voice 41/120 accordion without convertor. The outcome could well have been different when looking for an instrument with extended keyboard (45, 47, maybe even 49 keys) and/or with convertor.
RTW
Member
I would further ask: Where in the world are quality accordions still made today if price isnt a factor?
Regards,
RTW
Regards,
RTW
xingfan1227
Member
Thanks.. any other ones at that time that you thought were close to the Leader V? And if you don't mind.. what did you ultimately decide to get?
I ended up buying a Bugari 285/ARS. Very nice sound, but not as compact as the Beltuna. (The Leader V is about as wide as a 4 voice double cassotto accordion from other manufacturers.) Jerry can tell you how nice the Leader V is.
Very happy with the Bugari, but since then we made the switch to CBA and also added melody bass and that's why I cannot answer the question referring to what is available today.
xingfan1227
Member
Ah very interesting to know!
Frank Barocco
Active member
I hear good things and have had good experiences with Bugari and its Zero Sette equivalent/partner. Heard good things about modern Pigini accordions but no personal experience. Modern Petosa accordions are respected, but more on the pricier side. Their economy line is the Americana.
xingfan1227
Member
So far we have the top of the lines from Bugari, Beltuna, Pigini, and Petosa.
I see some of the top of the line models are LMMMH in treble side. Wwhat advantages does LMMMH have compared to LMMH? For example, does LMMMH accordion produce a bigger volume in Master switch?
Frank Barocco
Active member
I would say the advantages of LMMMH compared to LMMH have to do with the increased versatility in the possible combinations of voices, not so much a volume advantage (though there may be just slightly more volume). With LMMMH, the three Ms can have different tunings for a musette sound. It's like a combination of LMMM and LMMH accordions into one, having the best of both worlds.
But you need to understand if that is a need you have, because there are downsides to LMMMH. Mainly, the added weight.
But also, if you do not play styles that require that combination, it would be a waste. For instance, those mainly playing jazz could stick to LMM or LLM or LLMM, though LMMH is not unheard of. The piccolo (H) is not too common in jazz, neither is three Ms.
Castelfidardo, and I hope your wallet is HUGE. If something like the Bugari Matrix isn’t to your taste with an open wallet you could have a custom accordion made for you to your specs. If you like to overspend for a new accordion, go to Hohner and have a custom Gola made for you… be sitting down when they tell you the price, the starting price for a basic model Gola is $60,000.00US
Surely you mean the Beltuna Matrix?
Sorry, yes Beltuna.
Good thing I also did not say Weltmeister Gola… LOL
Frank Barocco
Active member
Or the legendary Excelsior Super VI, or the Petosa Classic 127!
danp76
Active member
What is the "best?" I suppose that's very difficult to objectively measure and it seems like everyone has a favorite for a particular reason. I would suggest trying the top models produced in Italy today and then make a decision from there. Best to you may not be best to someone else. I have several new accordions and I'm not sure there is a best top model. A lot of it is personal preference. Construction materials, reed selection, tuning, size, shape, style/design, etc., etc.
I have a Beltuna Leader Fly and to me it has a very bright/metallic tone to it. It sounds like you're playing it in a barrel with the amplisound that they offer. The Beltuna Spirit V that I have would be their top model, above the Leader V, according to Beltuna.
I like the Bugari 288's. I have a Gold and Silver Plus. Well-made accordions with a powerful tone.
I like the appearance of my Brandoni Mahogany Kingline Cassotto, but I think it looks better than it sounds.
The Super Six Extreme is similar to my Bugari's in tone and power in my opinion.
I like the Serenellini Regina that I have with Binci reeds, powerful and easy to play. It's not the most expensive, but truly not much different than the Bugari's to play in tone and power.
I have a Siwa Quattro walnut which I find on the bulky side to handle. It sounds ok, just a bit bulky, even though it's 4/5 reed.
I have several older accordions that include Titano's, Petosa;s, Sonala's, Pancordions, and an Excelsior. Many people prefer the tonal characteristics of the older accordions, compared to the new ones. I think that a restored or lightly used older accordion is a much better value and, in many cases, made better than the new ones.
I have a Beltuna Leader Fly and to me it has a very bright/metallic tone to it. It sounds like you're playing it in a barrel with the amplisound that they offer. The Beltuna Spirit V that I have would be their top model, above the Leader V, according to Beltuna.
I like the Bugari 288's. I have a Gold and Silver Plus. Well-made accordions with a powerful tone.
I like the appearance of my Brandoni Mahogany Kingline Cassotto, but I think it looks better than it sounds.
The Super Six Extreme is similar to my Bugari's in tone and power in my opinion.
I like the Serenellini Regina that I have with Binci reeds, powerful and easy to play. It's not the most expensive, but truly not much different than the Bugari's to play in tone and power.
I have a Siwa Quattro walnut which I find on the bulky side to handle. It sounds ok, just a bit bulky, even though it's 4/5 reed.
I have several older accordions that include Titano's, Petosa;s, Sonala's, Pancordions, and an Excelsior. Many people prefer the tonal characteristics of the older accordions, compared to the new ones. I think that a restored or lightly used older accordion is a much better value and, in many cases, made better than the new ones.
Dingo40
Been here for ages!
Both Piotr and Breezy Bellows seem to have closely studied currently available accordions.
Check out their recent acquisitions?
xingfan1227
Member
Ah very interesting to read and thanks for the details. The only accordion I have is an Excelsior AC Continental, which I like for the most part.. the only thing I don't like about it is that there is no bass switch of H reed for both single notes and chords, and there are several switches for the free-bass converter which I don't really use. I probably won't shop for another one right away but learning what's available is always fun.
Hi Xing
As fellow experts and players said already: I agree there's no "best in the world" - there's high-end boxes and it's very likely that if you do have the chance to test a few of them at a time you will like one of them more than others. By your definition this one will be the "best" - your favourite. Other player my eventually prefer your 2nd best.
Personally I had the chance to test a Scandalli Super VI vs. a Hohner GOLA (both vintage) and I preferred the GOLA.
Also I liked very much the sound, haptic, and overall appearance of the Excelsior Symphony Gold.
Good luck in finding your best
As fellow experts and players said already: I agree there's no "best in the world" - there's high-end boxes and it's very likely that if you do have the chance to test a few of them at a time you will like one of them more than others. By your definition this one will be the "best" - your favourite. Other player my eventually prefer your 2nd best.
Personally I had the chance to test a Scandalli Super VI vs. a Hohner GOLA (both vintage) and I preferred the GOLA.
Also I liked very much the sound, haptic, and overall appearance of the Excelsior Symphony Gold.
Good luck in finding your best
I understand the "barrel" effect of the amplisound you mention. I liked the choice of two different cassotto sounds on the same accordion.
I have worked on a few Scandalli accordions including a Super 6 L if I'm not remembering it wrong. I understand how you find it similar in tone and power to the Bugaris. They are a far cry from the Super 6 from the 1960's. And as for construction I prefer the Bugari.
I just completed work on a Serenellini with Artigiana Voci reeds. Nice accordion, but a bit heavy on the touch (of the keyboard) and the H reeds lack power so the MH register lacks in sharpness (just like with older Hohner Morino accordions).
My collection is not that large... I do have a Morino (Artiste X S) made by Excelsior, with a nice tone but like the Serenellini lacking in power of the H reeds.
The OP's question was about new accordions. I do like the sound of the vintage Super VI and Gola a lot, but the new Super VI accordions are a far cry from the old ones, and while a new Gola does sound nice it is hugely overpriced for what it really is (looking inside).Hi Xing
As fellow experts and players said already: I agree there's no "best in the world" - there's high-end boxes and it's very likely that if you do have the chance to test a few of them at a time you will like one of them more than others. By your definition this one will be the "best" - your favourite. Other player my eventually prefer your 2nd best.
Personally I had the chance to test a Scandalli Super VI vs. a Hohner GOLA (both vintage) and I preferred the GOLA.
Also I liked very much the sound, haptic, and overall appearance of the Excelsior Symphony Gold.
Good luck in finding your best
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