Adult Beginner Recommendations?

[TBHome]

So, full disclosure, I am not an accordion player. My music abilities end with playing the radio... But I am trying to help a family member start playing again! My brother played in his youth and, post retirement, he has reignited his interest. He has a piano keyboard accordion but he really is interested in traditional Irish music and would prefer a button accordion, B/C tuning.
I am searching for an appropriate box for him, an adult beginner. We're in Massachusetts and I haven't been able to find any outlets, other than eBay, with suitable instruments in the $500 range. Is that unrealistic? Anyone know of local outlets in MA, RI, NH, I should contact? Any experience buying through eBay? Recommended instruments, either to look for or avoid?
I'd appreciate any guidance anyone can offer, even if it is "you're crazy, you'll never find what you're looking for"...
TIA

 

[dunlustin]

While waiting/searching for his instrument your brother might enjoy browsing here:

The Session

An online community dedicated to traditional Irish music.

thesession.org

Quality B/C boxes do not come cheap,
see:

2 Row Half Step Chromatics

A clever way to modify a two row melodeon is to separate the keys by a semi-tone (half step) to create a fully chromatic instrument. The BC and C#D layouts are hugely popular in traditional Irish music with many ornaments and rolls adapted from this uniqu

www.libertybellows.com

Avoid almost any 'box' with a (seemingly) Italian maker.
Old Hohners are more dependable than their modern Made-in-China cousins.
You may find a 'Pokerwork' Hohner for around $500 - but they're more often not semi-tone boxes (B/C etc) but more with the 2 rows being G/C, or D/G or C/F etc. Not so common for Irish music.

It may be easier/more cost effective to have it shipped from Ireland.
Try MacNeela, O'Neils - just names not recommendations.

or England:

accordion – The Box Place

theboxplace.co.uk

(no connection)

nb 3-row 'boxes' are generally for S Border Music and are hardly used for Irish Music
Good Luck with the search

 

[Dingo40]

Don't forget to check out the melodeon website:

Melodeon.net Forums

Melodeon.net Forums

forum.melodeon.net

Your post prompted me to search melodeon oriented websites. Phew! The prices are eye watering indeed.
For example, see here:

B/C melodeon for sale YouTube - Google Shopping

www.google.com.au

The conventional wisdom is buying unseen (eg eBay) is definitely very risky: don't buy anything you haven't been able to handle and see for yourself!

 

[SteveBox]

This forum has primarily piano and chromatic button accordion players. You will get more advice on melodeon.net which specializes in B/C and other types of diatonic accordions. I don't play a B/C, but I have studied them and can offer this advice.

It will be hard to find a quality B/C for only $500. You may need to increase your budget. You might get lucky, but being a beginner, you should only buy from a reputable dealer that has properly set it up and guarantees it. A beginner may not recognize that the "lucky find" is really in poor condition until after you have struggled with playing it for several months. A B/C box is a bisonoric accordion, with two different notes on each button. The instrument has to be properly setup so it takes only a little bellows pressure to make it sound, and there is fast switching of the notes when you reverse the bellows. Otherwise, it will be frustrating to play.

If you asked this question a few years ago, I would have directed you to "The Button Box" in Amherst, MA. Unfortunately, the owner retired a few years ago and the shop closed. I presume he could not find a buyer for the business. Here are some other possibilities in New England and nearby states that might have a B/C for sale. If any of them have a lower priced instrument for sale, it will probably be much more than $500, but you will get what you pay for (as they say).

New England Accordion Connection and Museum, North Canaan, CT
Mostly piano accordions for sale, but you could ask.

Buttons and Bellows, Niskayuna, NY
They specialize in B/C and similar accordions.

Liberty Bellows, Philadelphia, PA
They have every type of accordion.

Bellinger's Button Boxes, Rochester, NY
They specialize in reconditioning used diatonic accordions. Hit or miss what they have available. Check frequently or let them know what you are looking for.

The Free Reed, Montpelier, VT
No B/C accordions for sale currently, but they might in the future.

NOT A RECOMMENTATION, but if I wanted a quality B/C beginner box at a reasonable price and didn't want to patiently search for a deal somewhere, I would consider one of the beginner accordions from McNeela Music in Ireland. These seem to be popular, and currently all of the lower priced models are sold out, except for the "McNeela Original B/C, 23 button" at $1004. I think these are Chinese made instruments, but they have been adjusted until they are in good playing condition. Again, NOT A RECOMMENTATION as I have never done business with them, but they offer a guarantee and judging from their demo videos, their claims seem legitimate.

 

[Dingo40]

Just to broaden your knowledge base, there's this:

Squeezebox Marketplace

The destination for all of the UK’s squeezers whether your interest is Accordion, Concertina or Melodeon

www.squeezeboxmarketplace.com

It's looking like there's very few used melodeons about and even fewer that are tuned B/C.
Here is a well regarded US seller, Liberty Bellows:

liberty bellows used melodeons youtube - Google Search

Those that are advertised for sale have prices north of US2,000.

 

[SteveBox]

A few years ago when The Button Box was still in business, they were offering the "Linnet" two row accordion as an inexpensive beginner instrument for around $700. It came in various tunings, including B/C. This was a Chinese box, with Italian reeds and the Button Box's quality control to correct any problems before a customer received it. These turn up on the used market occasionally.

Liberty Bellows use to have one.

Someone on thesession.org may still have one for sale.

A video demonstration.

 

[SteveBox]

Similar to McNeela's offerings are some instruments from Sean Garvey in Ireland.
NO RECOMMENDATION.

The Garvey AAA in a celluloid finish case for 699 euros.

Some better instruments in a wood finish case.

 

[Dingo40]

Here's a 34 minute introduction to the melodeon with the intention of demystifying the instrument for the beginner:

The business of getting into playing a diatonic button accordion (melodeon) can be quite challenging!
See here:

 

[Dingo40]

Then there's these:

Decisions, decisions....,

 

[mazzle_dazzle]

Since you mentioned you are in MA. Falcetti music in Springfield deals with accordions.

 

[SteveBox]

Since you mentioned you are in MA. Falcetti music in Springfield deals with accordions.

Have you been to Falcetti? Do they actually have a significant selection of accordions? I've never visited, as I have the impression they only sell Roland V-Accordions.

 

[Jim2010]

A few years ago when The Button Box was still in business, they were offering the "Linnet" two row accordion as an inexpensive beginner instrument for around $700. It came in various tunings, including B/C. This was a Chinese box, with Italian reeds and the Button Box's quality control to correct any problems before a customer received it. These turn up on the used market occasionally.

Bob Snope who used to do the repairs (and I presume) the quality control at the Button Box opened his on repair shop. He might be of help if you find an otherwise good instrument that is in need of repair.

The Squeezebox Garage

The Squeezebox Garage is the place to get your concertina or accordion repaired by a skilled craftsman with 30 years’ experience.

www.squeezeboxgarage.com

 

[SteveBox]

Bob Snope is someone I can recommend. He does excellent work. Unfortunately for some of us, he is no longer conveniently located in Amherst, MA.

 

[mazzle_dazzle]

Have you been to Falcetti? Do they actually have a significant selection of accordions? I've never visited, as I have the impression they only sell Roland V-Accordions.

I have not been there in a few years. They do have accordions on hand; new ones will be rolands. They were one of the first to sell them in the area when they first released.

All the non rolands will be used accordions. I've mostly seen piano accordions there but have seen button. They could be a good resource to aquire a used accordion or point anyone in the correct direction. Not sure if they still do but they had their own accordion repairman.

Other than that I would recommend Emillio Accordions in White Plains NY. A bit more of a drive but he is really easy to work with over the phone/email. Ordered my last custom Dino Baffetti through him.

 

[OuijaBoard]

So, full disclosure, I am not an accordion player. My music abilities end with playing the radio... But I am trying to help a family member start playing again! My brother played in his youth and, post retirement, he has reignited his interest. He has a piano keyboard accordion but he really is interested in traditional Irish music and would prefer a button accordion, B/C tuning.
I am searching for an appropriate box for him, an adult beginner. We're in Massachusetts and I haven't been able to find any outlets, other than eBay, with suitable instruments in the $500 range. Is that unrealistic? Anyone know of local outlets in MA, RI, NH, I should contact? Any experience buying through eBay? Recommended instruments, either to look for or avoid?
I'd appreciate any guidance anyone can offer, even if it is "you're crazy, you'll never find what you're looking for"...
TIA

I played B/C accordion for years including at gig level before deciding that small unisonoric accordions had just as much authentic "lift" and swing if you knew the ITM idiom, and were for me at least much more capable and fun to play.

Yes, I have a referral for you. John Nolan, based in upstate NY. He's a master B/C player and Senior All-Ireland Accordion champion who for decades has been teaching, repairing/restoring, and dealing Irish button accordions. He is also Exhibit A of what the rural Irish call "a gentleman," in the sense of what we might call a mensche, an honorable and kind person. He should be able help with pointers at minimum, for a suitable instrument and for learning. (No interest or connection on my part, just a rec from positive experience.)

Here's his website:

www.buttonsandbellows.com