Advice on first accordion

[classicalcrow]

I am a beginner (never touched an accordion in my life) interested in learning and wanted some advice on which models to look at for a first instrument. I have done the research and know generally what I'm looking for, but could still use advice there too.
I have a big background in music and definitely need more freedom than a 12 bass, I was thinking free bass (I want to be able to read piano music) somewhere around 40 and up? What would a good mid range bass size be?
I am more interested in learning a CBA than a piano accordion, but I live in the U.S. (California). Will it be possible to find an affordable CBA here? I don’t need it to last forever but I do want it to play comfortably for a couple years, at least while I’m learning. Finding one for under 1k would be a dream, but I do understand if that’s not possible.

 

[Siegmund]

What would a good mid range bass size be?

Up to 72, you are adding the ability to play new things. At 72, you have 12 columns, one for each note in the scale, and 6 rows, two for single notes, and one each for major, minor, seventh, and diminished chords.

Going beyond 72 to 96 or 120 just adds repeater columns for ease of fingering so that you can (for instance) play B minor and F#7 on adjacent columns rather than leaping from B at the top of the keyboard to Gb at the bottom of it.

Will it be possible to find an affordable CBA here?

A used CBA, with 2 or 3 right-hand voices rather than 4, and with only standard bass rather than free bass, can be had in your price range. Brand new ones start around 3k unless they are made in China. The only free-bass instruments you'll see in that price range are Soviet-era student models in questionable condition.

Playing piano sheet music directly on the accordion is quite rare; even if you have free bass you usually rearrange it, especially the left hand part, to take better advantage of how the accordion is laid out.

 

[JerryPH]

I have a couple questions. Please take no offense.

1. Where in the world are you located?

2. What is your age?

3. What is your budget?

4 You mention a musical background... can you expand on this?

 

[Ffingers]

I have a couple questions. Please take no offense.

1. Where in the world are you located?

2. What is your age?

3. What is your budget?

4 You mention a musical background... can you expand on this?

...add to that:

5. What kind of music to you want to play?

6. What level of expertise do you want to achieve?

7. Do you wish to perform in public?

8. If so (7) how, where, solo or with others?

9. Are you physically strong and fit enough to carry and manipulate over 30 pounds of bulky squeezebox

10. etcetera

 

[kimric]

Used affordable CBA instruments are not that easy to come by. This is because they were not common in the US when the accordion was at it's peak. I typically stocked Weltmeister for compact entry level instruments , but they closed about a month ago.
I used to carry a Chinese line that I would tune up but they were really slow to move so I stopped carrying them a few years ago, I may start again. I sometimes get Russian student instruments and flip them to C system , but it is a lot of work and I often end up replacing a lot of reeds. all the ones you see on line will be the same story no matter what they claim.
I think I will start stocking the smaller Delicia CBA as the quality is good and they are cheaper than anything in Italy.
I have a shop in Petaluma California.

 

[classicalcrow]

1. Where in the world are you located?

2. What is your age?

3. What is your budget?

4 You mention a musical background... can you expand on this?

Southern California, 18 (which I sense is very different from the average of this forum haha), like I said ideally below 1k but willing to go up to maybe 1.5 or 1.7, and I’ve played all sorts but primarily oboe, and mostly standard rep for orchestra. This does tragically mean I have a good ear for pitch and tone, so I’ll notice if an instrument has glaring issues.

5. What kind of music to you want to play?

6. What level of expertise do you want to achieve?

7. Do you wish to perform in public?

8. If so (7) how, where, solo or with others?

9. Are you physically strong and fit enough to carry and manipulate over 30 pounds of bulky squeezebox

No particular preference on the type of music (thought I would like to play some familiar waltzes), I want to pick this up as a hobby (so no I do not intend for any proper performances, though playing for friends or family may be fun). I’m not sure how much I can achieve without receiving proper instruction, so I’d say somewhere around upper-intermediate is a reasonable goal. And (9) yessir, though would I be wrong in assuming it’s easier to start on a smaller box?

 

[classicalcrow]

Thank you all for the detailed advice by the way!

 

[JerryPH]

Up to 72, you are adding the ability to play new things. At 72, you have 12 columns, one for each note in the scale, and 6 rows, two for single notes, and one each for major, minor, seventh, and diminished chords.

Going beyond 72 to 96 or 120 just adds repeater columns for ease of fingering so that you can (for instance) play B minor and F#7 on adjacent columns rather than leaping from B at the top of the keyboard to Gb at the bottom of it.

That is something that I would completely agree with. My personal likes are 120 bass (or more... lol)

A used CBA, with 2 or 3 right-hand voices rather than 4, and with only standard bass rather than free bass, can be had in your price range. Brand new ones start around 3k unless they are made in China. The only free-bass instruments you'll see in that price range are Soviet-era student models in questionable condition.

With a $1.5k budget a Free Bass instrument is going to be very limited. One is going to be getting either an accordion in very bad shape or you are going to be about $1500-$2000 short. Also finding a CBA instrument in southern California may be a challenge.

Playing piano sheet music directly on the accordion is quite rare; even if you have free bass you usually rearrange it, especially the left hand part, to take better advantage of how the accordion is laid out.

Actually accordionists using piano sheet music is not rare, I've been doing it for a very long time... basically any Free Bass instrument has that basic ability, but it comes with it's own set of challenges.

Another related topic, when talking CBA, you then toss in the additional challenges of WHAT system on both sides...
- Right hand side... B-system or C-system?
- Left hand side, B-system Russian or B-system standard or C-system?

At 18 years of age, I am going to assume that health and strength is not a consideration, so if a nice big Bayan or something like a Hohner Artiste came up, size would not be a hinderance.

Lots of decisions to be made, but right now, I'd suggested doing some research and going out there and listening to all of these options, and yes, that list may initially include even piano accordion converter models.
1. Do NOT be in a rush while you are doing your initial research
2. if you can, listen to and try different accordions. Start to find things that you enjoy, like sound, style, feel of accordions
3. Start broad and remove chucks from styles and models you don't want... whittle it down slowly.
4. once you have a clearer idea of what you like, you can do a more focused search for specific models.

 

[mtj]

Have you tried Dave’s Accordion in Canoga Park? He occasionally has CBAs and free bass instruments.

 

[nadav ben mordechay]

I am a beginner (never touched an accordion in my life) interested in learning and wanted some advice on which models to look at for a first instrument. I have done the research and know generally what I'm looking for, but could still use advice there too.
I have a big background in music and definitely need more freedom than a 12 bass, I was thinking free bass (I want to be able to read piano music) somewhere around 40 and up? What would a good mid range bass size be?
I am more interested in learning a CBA than a piano accordion, but I live in the U.S. (California). Will it be possible to find an affordable CBA here? I don’t need it to last forever but I do want it to play comfortably for a couple years, at least while I’m learning. Finding one for under 1k would be a dream, but I do understand if that’s not possible.

 

[nadav ben mordechay]

i belive you will find something (including cba) for up to 1 k . but free bass is usually more expensive . if some of your big background is in piano organ or so , , a piano accordion will save you time and effort (and probably money ) . however cba has some big advantages . you might find an old bayan with free bass on ebay for up to 1k but it might take some time