An inhereted gift that keeps on giving

[JerryPH]

Well... I now have a greater incentive to learn how to repair accordions. My uncle has handed down to me a pair of accordions with tremendous sentimental value that originally came from his father (my grandfather).

Honestly, both combined likely have a value of around a couple hundred dollars, but are beautiful, and one is actually worth saving.


The one that needs a lot of work, but MUCH less than the 2nd one is a pre-WWII B-system Kebrdle. This brand name is little known but is actually made by Josef Kebrdle, the man who created Delicia, the then Czechoslovakia's only accordion manufacturer that in 2020 celebrated it's 100th birthday and continues to thrive in it's little niche even today.

This one needs a complete service (cleaning, re-waxing, massive hardware adjusting and tune, tune. I think they call that a complete rebuild... lol) but is all there ready for me to invest hundreds of hours in to

The second one is a bit better known...



This one is a beautiful 1938 Paolo Soprani Italia... true basket case. If someone asked me what to do with this one, I would strongly recommend that they place it on a shelf and enjoy it's beauty. I'll be looking to restore this one to "playable condition". This one has a damaged bass reed, other reeds falling out of the reed blocks but a bass machine that needs a complete service and short of that, is all there.

The treble side make this accordion the true basket case that it is... because it is missing the sounding board and reed blocks... yes, the top is empty. I'll need to discover that story once I get the chance to talk to my uncle about this one. It was his son (my cousin of course) that delivered them to me this Saturday past. Just finding those parts would be a miracle!

So, this is going to be a slow moving project that is going to cover decades knowing me... but is my entry in to accordion repair... lol

Nice additions to my collection that are not going to be sold... but I suppose I now have motivation to learn the B-system button accordion, if only to play a couple of songs on it for my uncle.

During my Christmas break, I'll check out what tools I need, how to create a small accordion repair/tuning table area in my basement and start along that path... at least that's the plan at this time.

I've made an entry with additional info on mu blog if anyone is interested over on AccordionMemories.com... just click on SEARCH and enter "Great Sentimental Value" to read it.

Oh, so what would this kind of gift actually keep giving me? Well, besides the pleasure, I see many headaches, hundreds of hours of lost time and frustration looking for near non-existent parts and learning to play a button accordion!

 

[TomBR]

They do look amazing Jerry, good luck with the restorations.

I guess it's fortunate that the Soprani is the one that has substantial parts missing. I'd have thought there's a much better chance of finding a donor for that one than the Kebrdle!
Cheers
Tom

 

[Tom]

That's an amazing story Jerry, and a great incentive for you. That Soprani is especially beautiful. I look forward to hearing about your repairs and offering advice, right or wrong. Now if you only knew of someone with a large accirdion collectio who might have a beater with spare reeds..... Good luck!!!!

 

[Pipemajor]

With regard to the Paolo Soprani, I was given a very similar one some years ago which actually came in a black plastic bin bag in bits.
Foolishly I took the main body to the dump but kept the reeds and reed blocks which I would happily pass on to you but I suspect the cost of postage would make it prohibitive

 

[debra]

Best of luck bringing these old gems back to life. That's not really accordion repair. It's accordion restoration, requiring skills for restoring antique furniture as well as the metal work to make the mechanics new again. It's going to be a labour or love, but I'm sure you can get there eventually!

 

[Waldo]

Jerry,
Truly awesome grill work on the Kebrdle. All hand cut I'd wager. I like the black pearl, as well. Good luck on the venture (I have two awaiting attention as well, posted elsewhere).

 

[JerryPH]

With regard to the Paolo Soprani, I was given a very similar one some years ago which actually came in a black plastic bin bag in bits.
Foolishly I took the main body to the dump but kept the reeds and reed blocks which I would happily pass on to you but I suspect the cost of postage would make it prohibitiveIf

If it's not too much trouble, would you see if you could find out how much it would cost to send to Montreal Quebec, Canada? If there is a chance that it would fit, and within my budget, I might take you up on that offer.

 

[Pipemajor]

Hi Jerry, I've just retrieved them from the loft and taken a couple of photos with measurements to see if they would fit.
Unfortunately I can't find the 2 boxes of reeds. It was about 35 years ago they were put up there and I have a vague recollection of lending them to someone to fix their accordion and not getting them back. However if they do turn up I can always send them on.
If the blochs are of use, send me a PM with your address and I'll post them out, my treat, to say thanks for all the help freely and willingly given to lesser mortals such as myself, over the years. If you need any other info just ask.

 

[JerryPH]

PM sent.

 

[Pipemajor]

Hi Jerry. PM received. It's now all parcelled up ready to send but there is a problem with Royal Mail who I've just dicovered, have been hit with a cyber attack on their International parcels and are not accepting parcels at present.
As they are considerably cheaper than the other carriers, I'll delay sending it for a while and see how things turn out.
I guess you're not in a great hurry to get started so I'll try again in a few days

 

[JerryPH]

Hi Jerry. PM received. It's now all parcelled up ready to send but there is a problem with Royal Mail who I've just dicovered, have been hit with a cyber attack on their International parcels and are not accepting parcels at present.
As they are considerably cheaper than the other carriers, I'll delay sending it for a while and see how things turn out.
I guess you're not in a great hurry to get started so I'll try again in a few days

Absolutely no rush at all, for sure, and thank-you.

 

[nagant27]

I hope you can at least get them to reasonably play. These older prewar accordions look like pieces of art and I have developed a real like and soft spot for them. They have a unique sound and esthetically just look cool in my opinion.
If you try to find the original prices on these it’s absolutely mind blowing for the times. Big money! A crazy amount of time went into making them and restoring them is worth it to so few people do whatever you do is better than nothing. Good luck and enjoy the history