Accordion valuation please.

[boxplayer4000]

This small, light, 4-row, C System, 2 voice Cavagnolo accordion may soon be for sale. It appears to have had only light use, the exterior shows little or no signs
of wear and tear, the bellows are tight, it is responsive and has a bright tremolo/musette. I appreciate that without close inspection, preferably the interior as well, it is difficult to make an estimate of value. However any informed opinions of value on an ‘as seen’ basis would be welcome.

 

[debra]

Hard to say, but the value of a 2 voice accordion is always rather low. 3 voice is more popular and for even more serious work people want 4 voice (or sometimes even 5 voice).

 

[Soulsaver]

Sorry, I don't know enough about button box values.

 

[boxplayer4000]

Thanks Debra and Soulsaver.
I think 2 voices should not be downplayed too much. I have heard some very rich sounding ones. A Zero Sette comes to mind as a particularly good example where I'm sure many would have had difficulty in identifying it as only being two voice. This accordion is in the same area. I would also hope that any potential buyer would appreciate Cavagnolo's high quality.
There is also a noticeable weight reduction and any perceived lack of power can easily be compensated for with amplification.
The complexities of the C-System and all its fingering possibilities are lost to me and I'm depending on others to enlighten me on the merits, or otherwise, of the 4 row models.

 

[TomBR]

Nigel at Fair Deal accordions is a UK chromatic specialist, might be worth contacting him. The UK market for french style chromatics seems to be quite small, so demand is not high. Some, apparently nice, instruments have gone through Ebay recently at surprisingly low prices.
Good luck
Tom

 

[pentaprism]

It looks like my first CBA, a Cavagnolo Junior.

I bought it about 4 years ago for US $1000, used but almost new.

I have since acquired better CBAs, but still keep the Cavagnolo. It is light-weighed and its tremolo (not musette) sound is very sweet.

...any perceived lack of power can easily be compensated for with amplification.

Lack of power? Not this little thing. It is at least as loud as my Victoria Montparnasse.

 

[boxplayer4000]

pentaprism,
Thanks for your entry.
Your Cavagnolo is remarkably similar to the one I have; the grille appears the same, mine has a few (5?) extra treble buttons, the basses seem identical. Is yours a 2 voice instrument?
Point taken about 'musette'...... its not, its tremolo.

 

[pentaprism]

My Cavagnolo has 4 bass reeds and 2 treble reeds. There is no bass register and 1 treble register in the back.

It didn't come with bellows straps and back pad. The 4 snaps in the back are for the back pad that I installed myself.

You mentioned "Cavagnolo's high quality." Yes. Even though it is an "entry model," its high quality shows.

I also have a Victoria Montparnasse and a Fisitalia 46.45 TC. The Cavagnolo of course can't compare to these high end models, but IMHO, its quality are comparable to those of the big guys.

Did I tell you that I loved this little thing?

 

[debra]

Thanks Debra and Soulsaver.
I think 2 voices should not be downplayed too much. I have heard some very rich sounding ones. ...

Sure there is nothing wrong with the 2 voice accordions when you only want to play M or MM and these sounds can be nice and powerful. But to have a more usable selection of sounds, having also at least an L read gives more possibilities for other genres of music. Sometimes music just begs for the LM register. (and if you have H as well, again more possibilities...)
The Cavagnolo is probably a very good 2 voice accordion. But in terms of monetary value it is unlikely to be worth close to any good 3 voice accordion.