Scandalli Conservatorio (converter) Models

[Walker]

For those of you that thought Scandalli was only about the Super VI...

Here's a new Conservatorio model line called the Musa Talia. At nearly $25000 it's considerably more expensive than a Super VI, as it is a converter model.



Here's a demo of the Scandalli Musa Clio Piano:



Though the Musa line is very expensive, it's considerably less pricy than the ultra high-line Scandalli Extreme X, that costs nearly $37000!



However, I'm not convinced that these Rolls-Royce level accordions are really necessary for most accordionists... At a fraction of the cost of either of these models is the Scandalli BJP442. A high quality accordion with a mano reeds, double cassotto, free bass (various systems available; C, Bayan, Quint etc). It is available in 41 key and 45 key versions.

Here's the great player Hana Koskova with her Scandalli BJP442, playing a Philip Glass Etude:


​

 

[John M]

This is a fantastic instrument. It should be at $25K. For an acoustic accordion purist, nothing will sound as good as this. I do not deserve an accordion of this quality. I can't play good enough to use the full capabilities of this accordion. For me, I would be satisfied with the Korg Fisa at $8K. I would expect the accordion section, of the Fisa, would not sound as good as this Scandalli. However, it would be good enough for me. Plus, look at all the other "stuff" you get with the Fisa - Organ, Orchestral, etc. I am all about "variety", since, it is the "spice of life".

 

[Ffingers]

Wow!
The tonal quality of these top-end Scandallis, as far as I can tell with my aged ears and the compressions of the utube system, is very similar to that of the Paolo Soprani 'Super Organ' which came myy way when I started out on this musical adventure.
The P S has few features and no converter so it is far from identical, but the sound is similar but with less keyboard clatter.
I don't have any recording equipment nor the neccessary skills to post the 'evidence', but I do enjoy its 'timbre', even though getting the beast out of its box is an exercise in advanced powerlifting

 

[Walker]

Wow!
The tonal quality of these top-end Scandallis, as far as I can tell with my aged ears and the compressions of the utube system, is very similar to that of the Paolo Soprani 'Super Organ' which came myy way when I started out on this musical adventure.

@Ffingers, your Paolo Soprani 'Super Organ' is a monster of an accordion - no doubt it sounds absolutely magnificent. By the way, you are an inspiration Ffingers! May your musical adventures lead you to many happy places!

Now, when it comes to the Scandalli converters, I have a soft spot for the 'simpler' model BJP 442, it's the one played in the last recording of my initial post (by Miss Koskova). Now, maybe I'm biased because I plays the same model accordion as Miss Koskova - we both have BJP 442s! However, I'm not really a fan of that particular Etude. However, one piece I do like is this...

The Bulgarian Suite by V. Semionov. Awesome stuff!

Miss Maria Dmitrieva, featured here, also plays a Scandalli BJP 442 too. It goes to show you don't have to play the absolute top model accordion to make stunning music.

By the way, listen out for the slow 2nd part of the piece - it's bewitching!

​

 

[Siegmund]

I test-drove the BJC442, the chromatic sister of the BJP442, when I visited Scandalli, and I also think it's the best capability-for-price tradeoff in Scandalli's lineup.

But Scandalli in general seemed to have a bit less full-bodied of a tone than some of the other competitors. Perhaps coincidentally the wood panels on those boxes are startlingly thin to save weight.

 

[Walker]

That's a really interesting point @Siegmund - different accordion brands often have distinctive tonal characteristics.

My favourite brand apart from Scandalli is Pigini.

So if we were to consider a comparison between two 'similar' accordions I'd think the Scandalli BJP 442 and Pigini 55/P De Luxe would be a fair contest. Both are 4 voice, double cassotto and have a mano reeds.

A video comparison.

Try listening to the first 30 seconds (or more if desired) of each recording by the fantastic Christine Herzog:

Pigini 55/P De Luxe (41 key version):



Scandalli BJP 442s (45 key version):



I'd be interested to know everyone's thoughts about the tonal characteristics of each instrument. How would you describe the similarities and differences?

BTW: Can anyone tell me the name and composer of the first piece. I want to learn it, it's gorgeous!​

 

[saundersbp]

BTW: Can anyone tell me the name and composer of the first piece. I want to learn it, it's gorgeous!

It's Edvard Grieg Bk3 of the Lyric Pieces - this one is translated ' In my Native Country" or 'In my homeland'.

Score here

These two are much easier from same collection and played on a second hand accordion that cost less than one tenth of the Scandalli Extreme X above!

 

[tcabot]

played on a second hand accordion that cost less than one tenth of the Scandalli Extreme X above!

But not everyone has got a cathedral in their garden to benefit from the wonderful acoustics!

Lovely recordings, thank you.

 

[Walker]

It's Edvard Grieg Bk3 of the Lyric Pieces - this one is translated ' In my Native Country" or 'In my homeland'.

Score here

These two are much easier from same collection and played on a second hand accordion that cost less than one tenth of the Scandalli Extreme X above!

Super playing Ben! The accordion sounds great. Is that your Bugari 580?

Thanks for the info on the Grieg piece!

I think that once you get past a certain quality level the tonal differences between 'similar' instruments from different brands is not massive, like the differences between the Pigini and Scandalli above... The Pigini is maybe a bit lighter and more elegant in tone and the Scandalli is a little softer and sweeter. I like both.

But not everyone has got a cathedral in their garden

Indeed, the setting you play in can have a great effect on the sound of the accordion, but that is still a high class Bugari being played - even if it was a great preowned bargain.

I would personally like to try out the simple 3 voice, non-cassotto, Bugari 380 converter. I've had a non-cassotto Pigini PA/Quint combo in the past, which was a terrific accordion, but I think the extensive range (of notes) offered by the CBA & minor 3rd free bass combo is appealing, as a second instrument to learn. However, as I am in the process of buying our house just now, I think I'm not going to be getting another accordion any time soon.

 

[Tom]

Wow, that was great Ben, thanks!

 

[Tom]

Super playing Ben! The accordion sounds great. Is that your Bugari 580?

Thanks for the info on the Grieg piece!

I think that once you get past a certain quality level the tonal differences between 'similar' instruments from different brands is not massive, like the differences between the Pigini and Scandalli above... The Pigini is maybe a bit lighter and more elegant in tone and the Scandalli is a little softer and sweeter. I like both.



Indeed, the setting you play in can have a great effect on the sound of the accordion, but that is still a high class Bugari being played - even if it was a great preowned bargain.

I would personally like to try out the simple 3 voice, non-cassotto, Bugari 380 converter. I've had a non-cassotto Pigini PA/Quint combo in the past, which was a terrific accordion, but I think the extensive range (of notes) offered by the CBA & minor 3rd free bass combo is appealing, as a second instrument to learn. However, as I am in the process of buying our house just now, I think I'm not going to be getting another accordion any time soon.

Those high end Piginis cost more than my first house. Of course that was 40 years ago and it required total valve replacement but….just sayin’

 

[saundersbp]

But not everyone has got a cathedral in their garden to benefit from the wonderful acoustics!

Lovely recordings, thank you.

Thanks, its actually not a Cathedral, just a local church quite near me

The accordion sounds great. Is that your Bugari 580?

Yes, its a great instrument and a little bit better than the compact 540 - more even tone and slightly more room for air in the bellows. Both are v decent though!

would personally like to try out the simple 3 voice, non-cassotto, Bugari 380 converter.

We have one of those at work which I've played quite a bit. Really super instrument and very comfortable all round. I understand Bugari make more of these than any other instrument but in a B-system format for the biggest market in the world not suprisingly.....

 

[JerryPH]

I'd be interested to know everyone's thoughts about the tonal characteristics of each instrument. How would you describe the similarities and differences?​

Using Bose desktop computer speakers and a Bose headset separately:

The pigini sounds to me much more open and clearer, the sound definition just superb. Would it sound harsh to me in real life? Not sure.
The Scandali sounds good, but as if the Sordina is closed, the highs choked off, less clarity, but not in a bad way... does that make sense?

I tend to want to lean towards the sound quality of the Pigini based on that video clip alone. In real life? It likely would be much closer, who knows what I would prefer in a side-by-side.

 

[Walker]

Using Bose desktop computer speakers and a Bose headset separately:

The pigini sounds to me much more open and clearer, the sound definition just superb. Would it sound harsh to me in real life? Not sure.
The Scandali sounds good, but as if the Sordina is closed, the highs choked off, less clarity, but not in a bad way... does that make sense?

I tend to want to lean towards the sound quality of the Pigini based on that video clip alone. In real life? It likely would be much closer, who knows what I would prefer in a side-by-side.

I think that's a fair assessment, Jerry! Though I'd lean more towards the softer toned instrument (Scandalli) rather than the clearer toned instrument (Pigini), I can certainly see why others would make the opposite choice. However, I'd be perfectly happy with having either as my accordion! I used to own the non-cassotto version of the Pigini 55/P, and if it had cassotto I'd never have sold it.

Interestingly, even the top Pigini model, called the Nova, has a tone that is quite similar to the 55/P De Luxe. It's definitely a Pigini sound - this defined, slightly granular texture. Like the ultra high end Scandalli Extreme X, the Pigini Nova is mega bucks, and for me, I'd struggle to see the value in the relatively small improvement in tone for a massive increase in price. The Nova is very nice though...​

 

[JerryPH]

I think that's a fair assessment, Jerry! Though I'd lean more towards the softer toned instrument (Scandalli) rather than the clearer toned instrument (Pigini), I can certainly see why others would make the opposite choice. However, I'd be perfectly happy with having either as my accordion! I used to own the non-cassotto version of the Pigini 55/P, and if it had cassotto I'd never have sold it.

Interestingly, even the top Pigini model, called the Nova, has a tone that is quite similar to the 55/P De Luxe. It's definitely a Pigini sound - this defined, slightly granular texture. Like the ultra high end Scandalli Extreme X, the Pigini Nova is mega bucks, and for me, I'd struggle to see the value in the relatively small improvement in tone for a massive increase in price. The Nova is very nice though...​

They all sound good for sure. A factor that takes away from a singular hearing is what is the mic source. I've done enough tests now that I can take any one accordion and make it sound completely different by just changing a mic. I think that my point is that ultimately, never make a final judgement of the sound of any instrument from a microphone... ANY microphone, they all do something that either removes or adds something to the tone. The absolute best way to make a proper assessment, especially if you are considering on making a purchase, is to hear it with your own ears... from behind and in front of the accordion.

 

[saundersbp]

I want to learn it, it's gorgeous!

I think in heaven we will play and listen to music like this
(In the other place - which seems to have kicked off elsewhere on the forum - we will type in block capitals and bold font - yinks!)

So you have inspired me again and I'm busy learning it having got lovely William Croft up to speed. Actually having looked at the Grieg its just the same tune repeated three times....so once you've got the first 12 bars learnt you know the whole piece - wonderful!

It will be a while before i get it as beautiful as this performance though.

 

[Tom]

I think in heaven we will play and listen to music like this
(In the other place - which seems to have kicked off elsewhere on the forum - we will type in block capitals and bold font - yinks!)

So you have inspired me again and I'm busy learning it having got lovely William Croft up to speed. Actually having looked at the Grieg its just the same tune repeated three times....so once you've got the first 12 bars learnt you know the whole piece - wonderful!

It will be a while before i get it as beautiful as this performance though.

In the other place we will play Beer Barrel 24/7. Hmmmm, sounds like my summer gig…..

 

[Siegmund]

In the other place we will play Beer Barrel 24/7. Hmmmm, sounds like my summer gig…..

Surely you can spare a little room to keep In Heaven They Have No Beer in the rotation.

 

[Tom]

Surely you can spare a little room to keep In Heaven They Have No Beer in the rotation.

Oh I have played that one at Oktoberfest gigs. Then of course I gotta do Ziggy Zaggy…..

 

[Ventura]

and if you can't sing,
"no beer" still works as a recitation