ACME accordion

[landro]

I`ve picked up a nice ACME (NY) accordion and I`m pretty certain that I`m gonna rewax and revalve it. It`s only a 3 reed box but there aren`t many of em out there this nice so it might make a good conversation piece if nothing else. It will be the first non pro model I`ve restored but with a new amp jack installed and new wax and valves it might even be saleable and if not it will look nice on a shelf. I think I have just enough left over valves to do it without adding to the $50 I originally paid for it.

My question is: Was the ACME name actually made by Excelsior (NYC)?
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNsFk1OfaoxVL0GIt4ZKp64u7LYOJDkwZ3iWvdL

 

[TomBR]

Very good. You'd be able to sell it to Wile E Coyote for sure!
(Pic link didn't work for me.)
T

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Landro,

The picture link didn't work for me, either.

Stephen.

 

[landro]

Very good. Youd be able to sell it to Wile E Coyote for sure!
(Pic link didnt work for me.)
T

That might be above some folks heads but I get it. Seems everything Wile E Coyote bought by mail order was labeled or branded a product from ACME.
My search reveals it could also have been an early side brand from Giulietti.
Regardless I`d like to redo it and hear what the reeds sounded like back in the late 30-early 40`s and this accordion has a more modern look to it (early 50`s) than most of those from the era. The keyboard is quiet, reasonably fast, with nice rounded edges and the grille somewhat on the more modern side. The reeds are all blued on the riveted edges , leading me to believe they are hand made so the rehab just might be worth the effort.
With regards to the image it is highlighted and when I click on it it appears. It`s on my google hosting site.
I was also hoping Jim D would offer his opinion/ knowledge on the history of this NY based Acme BRAND.
Here`s a link to a similar one (mine does not have the treble voice options.)and my keys are not yellowed.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ACME-FULL-SIZE-PIANO-AC CORDION-ACCORDIAN-CASE-FULLY-FUNCTIONAL-NICE-/332394601106?hash=item4d64431a92:g:IOUAAOSw81BZzS-H

 

[JIM D.]

The Badge ACME was used on some early US New York, NY made accordions in the 30's to the 40's. In the 50's music studios such as the one's owned by Pietro Deiro imported Italian made models with the ACME badge applied.
As far as a reference found to Giulietti on the web, well just a misinformed reference. Julio Giulietti did not manufacture accordions but did import fine Italian made accordions with the Giuletti badge applied.
Now in the Giulietti line of student model accordions there was a model called Accmette and Julio sold them to various music studios.

The accordion in your Pic' appears to be a early model "LIRA" with an ACME badge. All "LIRA" accordions imported were of fine make for thier time.
Check the reed plates for a maker name stamped on them.

 

[landro]

Thank you Jim D .
Mine has " ACME ACCORDION CO INC "stamped on all the reed blocks and and an "ACME NY " badge on the front and the keyboard looks to be identical to and all similar to the Excelsior`s of the time.
Maybe they were buying some Excelsior parts or procuring them from the same source ?

 

[JIM D.]

One way to determine it's origin of manufacture is to observe the nuts & bolts used in the construction. If they are metric, it's an Italian import. If they are american standard, the accordion may have been made by one of three active NY firms in the early 50's.
The three were - "Iorio", "Excelsior" & "Wurlitzer - (later PANcordion)".
Excelsior did make models with different badges such as "Selmer Accordion's".