Elizabeth
Active member
Anyone have a petosa leggera accordion? Im wondering what you think about. I think Tony Lovello had one.
Anyone familiar with this one?
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I know several people that are looking at it but are for the most part kept away because of the high price. Very good accordions with some minor weight savings for sure, just very expensive for what they are.
Leggera prices start at $11,000US and can go over $13,000US. That's a huge premium to save 3-5 pounds.
Leggera prices start at $11,000US and can go over $13,000US. That's a huge premium to save 3-5 pounds.
It's the law of diminishing returns. To get "a little bit better" (lighter in this case) you "pay a lot more".
It holds for everything, not just accordions.
It's actually quite hard to make an accordion (with the same functionality and quality) 3 to 5 pounds lighter, and it is very likely that sturdiness really suffers...
I pay a huge premium to have my osteoarthritis treated and for anti-inflamatory medications, so a one-off up-front capital outlay to ease the symptoms might be a serious consideration - if I had any cash left over to buy such an extravagence ;-)
Elizabeth
Active member
Boy im right on board with that, trying to keep playing with this disease.
I always wondered i there was something sacrificed, quality, durability- when different materials were substituted to make the leggera. And iwondered how people liked them.
Siegmund
Well-known member
They sound better (in youtube videos, at least) than any of the other super-lightweight models I've seen advertised. If Santa dropped (the CBA equivalent of) one gently down my chimney I'd happily play it. If I were spending my own money --- and I have stiff and sometimes imprecise fingers, but no back problems --- I can think of other features I'd rather have.
I think what we're seeing here is the accordion equivalent of the old saying that's on the wall of every auto body shop and IT programming department: "fast, good, cheap: pick any two." (With 'light' taking the place of 'fast' here.)
I think what we're seeing here is the accordion equivalent of the old saying that's on the wall of every auto body shop and IT programming department: "fast, good, cheap: pick any two." (With 'light' taking the place of 'fast' here.)
96Bass
Well-known member
Elizabeth, you are looking for a light weight accordion due to a physical condition?
The Petosa is a full size accordion - 19.25" keyboard. Is this what you are playing now?
There are compact 120 bass models that are smaller and lighter. Or perhaps a 96 bass would work for you?
Beltuna "fly" models are partially made from carbon fiber which reduces their weight.
A Beltuna 4/5 reed Prestige will be close in price to the Petosa. Both Beltuna and Petosa are premium accordions.
As far as diminishing returns, that is a matter of opinion. I live by, "buy once, cry once". I doubt that you would ever be sorry with a Petosa.
There is good reason they are priced as they are. They are a very high quality instrument with great support and customer service. They have been a family owned business for 100 years and they proudly put the family name on their instruments. Petosa, being located near Seattle, is also a big plus as it is reasonable to get the accordion back to the "manufacturer" if service is needed.
The Petosa is a full size accordion - 19.25" keyboard. Is this what you are playing now?
There are compact 120 bass models that are smaller and lighter. Or perhaps a 96 bass would work for you?
Beltuna "fly" models are partially made from carbon fiber which reduces their weight.
A Beltuna 4/5 reed Prestige will be close in price to the Petosa. Both Beltuna and Petosa are premium accordions.
As far as diminishing returns, that is a matter of opinion. I live by, "buy once, cry once". I doubt that you would ever be sorry with a Petosa.
There is good reason they are priced as they are. They are a very high quality instrument with great support and customer service. They have been a family owned business for 100 years and they proudly put the family name on their instruments. Petosa, being located near Seattle, is also a big plus as it is reasonable to get the accordion back to the "manufacturer" if service is needed.
Elizabeth
Active member
Thank you!
I am playing a petosa 120 bass now and yes, physical issues are making it just not fun to anticipate playing it. I am looking to get smaller and lighter and have been thinking about a 96 bass. Im considering aLMM 96 bass, but dont know how much i would miss the high reed on the 120. Andi i think the leggera comes in a 96 with a high reed.
Petosas is the only accordion store i have ever been in. Their prices are high but you just cannot beat their customer service, and as far as my limited accordion experience can figure, you cant beat their quality. That Beltuna sure sounds intriguing.
Thanks for all the input....i really appreciate it.
I am playing a petosa 120 bass now and yes, physical issues are making it just not fun to anticipate playing it. I am looking to get smaller and lighter and have been thinking about a 96 bass. Im considering aLMM 96 bass, but dont know how much i would miss the high reed on the 120. Andi i think the leggera comes in a 96 with a high reed.
Petosas is the only accordion store i have ever been in. Their prices are high but you just cannot beat their customer service, and as far as my limited accordion experience can figure, you cant beat their quality. That Beltuna sure sounds intriguing.
Thanks for all the input....i really appreciate it.
96Bass
Well-known member
Here is a Beltuna Prestige 37/96 Fly LMMM. They also come in LMMH.
This one is standard size. You can also get either a 96 or 120 bass in a compact size which has a shorter keyboard length which weighs less.
I have been playing 96 bass accordions exclusively for the past 20 years. For me, they are the perfect size.
If you are a serious classical or jazz player you would most likely want to stay with a full size 41/120.
They also have a 37/108 in their Spirit line. The Spirit is their top of the line instrument.
This one is standard size. You can also get either a 96 or 120 bass in a compact size which has a shorter keyboard length which weighs less.
I have been playing 96 bass accordions exclusively for the past 20 years. For me, they are the perfect size.
If you are a serious classical or jazz player you would most likely want to stay with a full size 41/120.
They also have a 37/108 in their Spirit line. The Spirit is their top of the line instrument.
Elizabeth
Active member
I looked on the liberty bellows website, the beltunas are really impressive! I want the platinum one! So how does one buy a beltuna, through liberty bellows or ebay? Which leads me to...are you familiar with petosas buy back program which i believe i saw on their website?i cannot Buy amother accordion without trading in or selling 1 or 2..
96Bass
Well-known member
Hi Elizabeth, I took a look at the "platinum" Beltuna you mentioned. There are a few things you should be aware of.
That accordion has only 34 keys, not 37. It's range is G-E. Make sure this would be enough range for you.
It has "Luxe" reeds which are NOT hand made reeds. This accordion does not have a tone chamber, if that is important to you.
If you decide a 34/96 accordion fits your needs, I would suggest staying with Pertosa and consider their Compatto Pro.
petosa.com
First, you get the excellent service and customer care from Petosa. Second, the Petosa has hand made reeds (but still no tone chamber).
I recently bought a new accordion from Liberty Bellows which turned out to be an unpleasant experience. The accordion was sent back.
I will post a separate thread soon about my experience with LB.
I have now decided to purchase a new Petosa accordion.
I purchased my Beltuna accordions in the past from Castiglione who unfortunately is no longer in business. Castiglione, like Petosa, had top notch customer service and support.
If you decide a 37/96 is a better fit, look at the Petosa Artista series.
petosa.com
That accordion has only 34 keys, not 37. It's range is G-E. Make sure this would be enough range for you.
It has "Luxe" reeds which are NOT hand made reeds. This accordion does not have a tone chamber, if that is important to you.
If you decide a 34/96 accordion fits your needs, I would suggest staying with Pertosa and consider their Compatto Pro.
Compatto Pro (34/96 LMMM)
Details An exquisite all natural wood instrument of quality and resonance. The Compatto Pro model offers compact portability with a beautiful genuine Mahogany wood finish. Unique characteristics and aesthetics in a lightweight and compact design. Specifications Keyboard: 15 3/8" (39 cm) (18mm...
First, you get the excellent service and customer care from Petosa. Second, the Petosa has hand made reeds (but still no tone chamber).
I recently bought a new accordion from Liberty Bellows which turned out to be an unpleasant experience. The accordion was sent back.
I will post a separate thread soon about my experience with LB.
I have now decided to purchase a new Petosa accordion.
I purchased my Beltuna accordions in the past from Castiglione who unfortunately is no longer in business. Castiglione, like Petosa, had top notch customer service and support.
If you decide a 37/96 is a better fit, look at the Petosa Artista series.
Artista (37/96 LMMM)
Details Lightweight, powerful, and versatile... The Artista Musette reed configuration (LMMM) is perfect for traditional styles of Zydeco, Cajun, Blues, Bluegrass and Folk alternative music in a modern build with the quality expected from petosa. Featuring Mahogany reed block and cabinet...
petosa.com
Elizabeth
Active member
96 Bass,
Cant tell you how much i appreciate all your input.
The next time im in seattle im going to stop by the etore and try out afew models.
There sure are a lot of details to figure out- which ones are really important and which are not. And how the choice of accordion relates to what you are doing eith your accordion.
Im expecting hand surgery in december to treat a chronic torn tendon so the biggest roadblock is going to be to what extent i can even keep playing with the loss of some mobility.
You know it is so easy to deal with petosas, they are in a convenient place to try machines out, and their service is spectacular.
Cant tell you how much i appreciate all your input.
The next time im in seattle im going to stop by the etore and try out afew models.
There sure are a lot of details to figure out- which ones are really important and which are not. And how the choice of accordion relates to what you are doing eith your accordion.
Im expecting hand surgery in december to treat a chronic torn tendon so the biggest roadblock is going to be to what extent i can even keep playing with the loss of some mobility.
You know it is so easy to deal with petosas, they are in a convenient place to try machines out, and their service is spectacular.
Elizabeth
Active member
I looked at the compatto, it does look like quite the possibility!Hi Elizabeth, I took a look at the "platinum" Beltuna you mentioned. There are a few things you should be aware of.
That accordion has only 34 keys, not 37. It's range is G-E. Make sure this would be enough range for you.
It has "Luxe" reeds which are NOT hand made reeds. This accordion does not have a tone chamber, if that is important to you.
If you decide a 34/96 accordion fits your needs, I would suggest staying with Pertosa and consider their Compatto Pro.
Compatto Pro (34/96 LMMM)
Details An exquisite all natural wood instrument of quality and resonance. The Compatto Pro model offers compact portability with a beautiful genuine Mahogany wood finish. Unique characteristics and aesthetics in a lightweight and compact design. Specifications Keyboard: 15 3/8" (39 cm) (18mm...
First, you get the excellent service and customer care from Petosa. Second, the Petosa has hand made reeds (but still no tone chamber).
I recently bought a new accordion from Liberty Bellows which turned out to be an unpleasant experience. The accordion was sent back.
I will post a separate thread soon about my experience with LB.
I have now decided to purchase a new Petosa accordion.
I purchased my Beltuna accordions in the past from Castiglione who unfortunately is no longer in business. Castiglione, like Petosa, had top notch customer service and support.
If you decide a 37/96 is a better fit, look at the Petosa Artista series.
Artista (37/96 LMMM)
Details Lightweight, powerful, and versatile... The Artista Musette reed configuration (LMMM) is perfect for traditional styles of Zydeco, Cajun, Blues, Bluegrass and Folk alternative music in a modern build with the quality expected from petosa. Featuring Mahogany reed block and cabinet...
What would be the reasoning tor considering a lmm, vs a lmmh? That high reed gives you an advantage for what kinds of music?
Elizabeth
Active member
Siegmund
Well-known member
If you are big into the musette/vibrato sound, not much (and that is why the musette-centric folk will buy 4-reed LMMM instruments; they can live without the MMH sound.)
If you are into a drier, purer sound, the H bank does two big things for you: one is variation of timbre. Accordion reeds favor the odd overtones and sound naturally clarinet-like. Doubling a pitch an octave higher fills in the even-numbered overtones and makes a fuller sound. (It's not coincidence that the M and MH stops are traditionally named "clarinet" and "oboe"!)
The second is that it provides a means to artificially expand your range. You're looking at buying a 3-octave keyboard... but by switching from LM to MH, you can get 4 octaves of very similar two-reed sound, and by swtiching from L to M to H, 5 octaves of single-reed sound.
Elizabeth
Active member
Thanks so much for the great information,Siegmund!
…And you get the “organ” stop (LH) which I think can be a wonderful choice.
danp76
Active member
If you're looking for a lightweight 37/96 accordion there are several options, as already stated. I would also consider a Bugari Essenzia, as it's essentially the same accordion as the Petosa Leggera, but less money. Bugari makes Petosa accordions. In addition, you can choice from several reed makers with Bugari, unlike Petosa. Emilio Accordions in New York can provide you with excellent service on Bugari accordions.
If you're looking for somethng for a bit less money, you can look at Serenellini, or Siwa&Figli. Both of these companies offer light accordions in 37/96 configurations and are a decent accordion. They will be a few pounds heavier than a Leggera or Essenzia, but also thousands of dollars less.
The Beltuna Fly has a carbon fiber grill and bass plate, they utilize lighter woods and reduce weight, but some believe sacrifice durability and tonal depth.
Another light option is the Victoria Piuma, aslo expensive, but some really like this accordion as well.
If you're looking for somethng for a bit less money, you can look at Serenellini, or Siwa&Figli. Both of these companies offer light accordions in 37/96 configurations and are a decent accordion. They will be a few pounds heavier than a Leggera or Essenzia, but also thousands of dollars less.
The Beltuna Fly has a carbon fiber grill and bass plate, they utilize lighter woods and reduce weight, but some believe sacrifice durability and tonal depth.
Another light option is the Victoria Piuma, aslo expensive, but some really like this accordion as well.
96Bass
Well-known member
I would choose the LMMH over the LMM. The advantage to the LMM is a little less weight and lower price.
With the LMMH you get both the full three reed dry tuning and a two reed musette. Very versatile.
96Bass
Well-known member
It is a personal preference. I like the physical size of the instrument. It is more comfortable for me to play.
I don't play jazz or classical so I don't miss the 4 higher treble keys. I generally don't play in keys with more than 3 sharps or flats so I don't need the bass notes and chords at the far ends.
There are variations within the 96 bass category. 34, 37, or 41 piano keys. My 37 is F-F. I have also seen G-G.
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