Can’t identify this accordion at all..

[MariachiManiac]

Hi guys! Didn’t realize there was a whole, wonderful world of accordions until I bought one this weekend! I’m trying to figure out how old it is etc., one of the books that came with it, the Soprani piano accordion course has a 34 copyright… I looked all over it and it has maybe two logos, nothing else. 140 bass buttons if that matters. Will try to post some pics, thanks for any responses!

 

[Dingo40]

Welcome MM!
A fine looking pre-wwii Italian made instrument by possibly Paolo Soprani before he stated using his full name.
Some bass buttons have "sunk", but this can be fixed.
140 bass buttons. This could mean the first column (nearest the bellows) is minor thirds, quite popular in Balkan music.
You haven't provided any pictures of the top of the treble box or of the back of the treble keyboard.
Is there, perhaps, a little window on the top of the treble box (with a number showing in it) and are there any moveable knobs (possibly made of brass) along the rear of the right hand edge of the keyboard?
If so, they could provide a clue to the number of "voices" (reed banks) your accordion has.
As this accordion could be going for 90 years of age, it is probable some organic materials (wax, leather) may have deteriorated with age and reeds may be rusted or need tuning.
(Here's a recent thread about a novelty accordion, of the same vintage, made by the same maker:

E

Thread 'Help identifying accordion'

Feb 20, 2025

Hello. I am clueless about accordions. I have here a small accordion that I have no idea if it would be worth fixing it or not. It doesn't close completely since something inside is lose and rattels around. I got some sound out of a couple keys. Thats all i know. It belonged to my girlfriends late dad who got around quieta bit. So anything about age, maybe value, where to get parts, ect would be appreciated.
Thank you

• Edelweiss
• Replies: 6
• Forum: Accordion Makes & Models

 

[Dingo40]

I’m trying to figure out how old it is etc.,

Here's a video showing an example of a similar example in action:

 

[MariachiManiac]

Thank you sir! Let me get some more pictures! I am amazed at the workmanship on this! Like the plastic looks new… I collected antique radios and some of those plastics would deteriorate over the years big time! Thanks again!

 

[Ventura]

Ampliophonic was a model/design of the Settimo Soprani
company, at that time located in Castlefidardo, just slightly
down the hill from the main street leading into the old citta.

this specific one is pretty old, and i would think pre-WW2

the majority of Ampliophonic models i have seen in the USA
are post-war and modern looking

the design, as i understand it, introduced an alternative
geometry and method of engineering the reed-blocks and reeds
inside the accordion treble chamber

more info here:

Thread 'Settimio Soprani Ampliphonic'

Nov 13, 2021

Here's something different. There are several different models of it on the web, but I couldn't secure the link of some of them.
Intriguing sound quality and the arrangement of the internals?

Here's another showing the unusual arrangement of the reed blocks:

Settimio Soprani "Ampliphonic Lido" 1960's | Reverb Australia

This beautiful Settimio Soprani "Ampliphonic Lido", from the 1960s, it is one of a kind accordion. Its internal reed blocks configuration was an innovation past then, and the unique "round button" shape of the treble and bass registers, make this accordion a "rare" specimen among the accordi...

reverb.com

• Dingo40
• Replies: 7
• Forum: Accordion Makes & Models

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[MariachiManiac]

Guys, thank you so much for the info. Not sure where the treble box is to look for a number, but I did look all over! Here are some daylight pictures of it:

 

[MariachiManiac]

A few more pics:

 

[Dingo40]

A few more pics

Thanks!
Very interesting!
The treble box is the right hand side containing the melody reeds and associated keyboard etc.
And sure enough, where sometimes there is a little indicator showing the number of voices (reed banks) playing, there are 4 red buttons. (I notice another such button on top of the bass box.)
I've never seen this arrangement before, but imagine it plays a similar role. (Maybe someone here knows and can enlighten us as to how it works?)
I see the bass strap adjustment is of a distinctly 1920s/30s design.
I still can't make out if there are any levers along the right hand edge of the keyboard, but it's definitely a full adult sized instrument with possibly 4 voices: so, pretty good!

 

[MariachiManiac]

Thanks!
Very interesting!
The treble box is the right hand side containing the melody reeds and associated keyboard etc.
And sure enough, where sometimes there is a little indicator showing the number of voices (reed banks) playing, there are 4 red buttons. (I notice another such button on top of the bass box.)
I've never seen this arrangement before, but imagine it plays a similar role. (Maybe someone here knows and can enlighten us as to how it works?)
I still can't see if there are any levers along the right hand edge of the keyboard, but it's definitely a full adult sized instrument with possibly 4 voices: so, pretty good!

Thank you again! Looks like it has 43 treble keys, if that’s strange or not, I don’t know, seems like most have 41?

 

[Dingo40]

Looks like it has 43 treble keys,

Yes, most standard ones do have 41 treble keys.
Having 43 treble keys and 140 bass buttons does suggest it's a bit special and possibly built to order to play some specific genre (e.g. Balkan?).
It also raises the possibility of hand-made reeds, but I'm not able to help you with that, though other members may be.