Beware of New Weltmeisters

[debra]

Well heck, with the exception of the lucky soul who owns the world's greatest accordion, every accordion is inferior to some other accordion.

Inferior does not imply unusable. The Weltmeister Achat I recently repaired and tuned is of rubbish quality, yet after repair and tuning it actually has quite an acceptable sound (a bit sharp, but not really bad). The keyboard requires more force than on better accordions, but again it's usable. It's better to get a Weltmeister Achat for not much money and then enjoy playing it than to not get any accordion because you can only afford "inferior" ones.

 

[Scuromondo]

Unfortunately, having a budget of $2000-3000USD while also wanting a new accordion, and a high-quality instrument, are incompatible requirements in the current environment. I have personal experience with this. One can only satisfy two of these three requirements, and must decide which two are the most important.

 

[vivdunstan]

I’m very happy with my blue Weltmeister Perle bought new at Christmas. It’s a low cost second compact 48 bass accordion to have as an alternative to my 41 year old 72 bass Paolo Soprani, that I really struggle with now, due to my progressive neurological illness.

I do expect a lot of plastic in my German box. I also expect things that might make repairs tricky. But for now it sounds and plays very well. I have heard of the poor bellows corners before, but in the context of something that was in the past and not done now. Fingers crossed!

 

[Big Squeezy Accordions]

I love that this forum is a rich resource for insight and advice on the quality of various makes and models, and on which things are worth the money and which things aren't.

But I'll be honest that some of what I'm reading here kinda come off to me like flat-out snobbery. In my younger, snobbier days I probably would've merrily brand-bashed along. But I don't know... I've gotten to the point in my life where I just don't have any use for it anymore.

After all, there's probably some kid out there who could only afford (or could only find for purchase, or just didn't know better, etc...) some accordion that we might consider to it be a "worthless piece of garbage", of "absolutely rubbish quality", or a time-wasting "inferior instrument" (all quotes from this thread).

And you know what? Maybe they're pretty proud of owning that accordion and are having fun learning to play it. The last thing they need is for us to crap all over it and make them feel like a stupid loser for buying it.

As I said in my original post and keep repeating, this is a nearly $1600 instrument we are talking about. I don't have a problem with someone buying a $400 Chinese accordion with the understanding that it may fall apart in a couple of years. I do have a problem with people being scammed by the supposed allure of German craftsmanship, only to wind up with something as bad or worse than the Chinese accordion at 4 times the price. In fact, I advise people who insist on buying a cheap new accordion to buy the cheapest obviously Chinese one, rather than a new Hohner at several times the price and essentially the same quality.

 

[Dingo40]

Well, if nothing else, this thread has certainly been stimulating!
Thanks everyone!

 

[Big Squeezy Accordions]

I actually wrote to the CEO of Weltmeister about this. Not expecting a reply, but you never know.

 

[Ventura]

overall, to address the issue of student accordions, personally i simply
got into the habit of watching craigslist in a 100 mile radius of Wash DC.
and in my travels i just buy up everything good for $100 or so,
spot repair and clean them up, then give them away to any beginner who
shows an interest in learning and playing accordion

typically, i also pay any teenager's first year membership dues into the Accordion club
if they seem to be sticking with it and show up at the monthly meeting to play a song

it costs me less doing this than it used to in wasted time and frustration trying
to advise beginners and helping them fix the messes they would get themselves into

 

[Big Squeezy Accordions]

overall, to address the issue of student accordions, personally i simply
got into the habit of watching craigslist in a 100 mile radius of Wash DC.
and in my travels i just buy up everything good for $100 or so,
spot repair and clean them up, then give them away to any beginner who
shows an interest in learning and playing accordion

typically, i also pay any teenager's first year membership dues into the Accordion club
if they seem to be sticking with it and show up at the monthly meeting to play a song

it costs me less doing this than it used to in wasted time and frustration trying
to advise beginners and helping them fix the messes they would get themselves into

Very mensch-y of you.

 

[Valski]

I love that this forum is a rich resource for insight and advice on the quality of various makes and models, and on which things are worth the money and which things aren't.

But I'll be honest that some of what I'm reading here kinda come off to me like flat-out snobbery. In my younger, snobbier days I probably would've merrily brand-bashed along. But I don't know... I've gotten to the point in my life where I just don't have any use for it anymore.

After all, there's probably some kid out there who could only afford (or could only find for purchase, or just didn't know better, etc...) some accordion that we might consider to it be a "worthless piece of garbage", of "absolutely rubbish quality", or a time-wasting "inferior instrument" (all quotes from this thread).

And you know what? Maybe they're pretty proud of owning that accordion and are having fun learning to play it. The last thing they need is for us to crap all over it and make them feel like a stupid loser for buying it.

Yes, owning an accordion is all about the fun of playing a joyful instrument. I don't think that anyone is trying to be a snob about this or the other brand. As mature adults we might have sufficient experience to discern the difference between a quality instrument and something less desirable although a lot of joy can come from playing a simple and inexpensive model. My quarrel with some of these manufacturers is that they hide the fact that the instrument was constructed far from their declared location and other than a badge and logo shares little with the original brand. You can purchase an inexpensive Chinese product but I feel that you should be told that is what you are actually getting and not a made in Europe instrument.

 

[jozz]

After all, there's probably some kid out there who could only afford (or could only find for purchase, or just didn't know better, etc...) some accordion that we might consider to it be a "worthless piece of garbage", of "absolutely rubbish quality", or a time-wasting "inferior instrument" (all quotes from this thread).

And you know what? Maybe they're pretty proud of owning that accordion and are having fun learning to play it. The last thing they need is for us to crap all over it and make them feel like a stupid loser for buying it.

In fact I was that kid that got the exact same 90s Weltmeister Achat in red pictured above that gets crapped on. I played that box for the entirety of my schooling and ensemble years. This box cost the equivalent of €1200 in 1993 or so.

I was not particulary proud of owning one, because everyone else was playing Hohner Verdi's and Atlantics 'made in west-germany'. Certainly not feeling stupid because only in 2018 I sold it on, unseen, by mailorder, never serviced, for what I thought was still a lot of money. That money went straight into another Weltmeister crapbucket, my Unisella, for a complete overhaul. It feels pretty 'sustainable' like this.

Agreed, but the accordion I am referring to in this post costs nearly $1600 for a tiny 2 reed 30 key 60 bass. For that price one should expect an instrument which will at the very least be playable for a few years.

Yes, but there is a market for everything and everybody. The Chinese understand that, and the global consumers will happily buy 'disposables' all day long.... There is no quality certificate, and no item is holy in the bigger system, even musical instruments. At least once you do some research you have plenty of quality options available still. Hopefully guided by reputable local dealers as well..

 

[Waldo]

Caveat Emptor, Folks.

 

[petch]

They are not the only ones guilty of these maneuvers and I know because I once purchased what supposed to be an Excelsior which turned out to have been an instrument made entirely in China.

I was under the impression Pigini makes Excelsior accordions now and never in China, but I could be mistaken. Perhaps a fake or someone swapping the badge?

 

[Tom]

If dealers sell crap (Chinese, Italian, Whereverese) they are not going to survive. People will go elsewhere. Not being able to buy a useable accordion for $1500 ($500, $5,000, $50,000) is up to education, not availability. Everyone needs to help.

 

[Valski]

I was under the impression Pigini makes Excelsior accordions now and never in China, but I could be mistaken. Perhaps a fake or someone swapping the badge?

To be specific it was an Accordiana by Excelsior, but it was presented to me as being built by the same company. When it was examined by a qualified and reputable third-party he proved that the mechanism was entirely Chinese although the casing was branded as something entirely different. Even the Excelsior web site indicated that this was a genuine product. So I agree that you need to buy according to your budget and there is no need to be a snob about brands however we need to be careful about misrepresentation.

 

[Ventura]

actually, i felt very dissapointed seeing the pictures our intrepid Debra shared
of the plastic Weltmeister reedblocks he so kindly worked on for his friend

the reason is, while i certainly don't mind them attempting to save
money substituting plastic for wood, especially for an instrument that is
intended to be a (comparatively) disposable item

the fact that they nevertheless waxed the reeds to the plastic blocks

ridiculous... impossible.. imbeciles !

i mean wouldn't any idiot, if they were that versed in accordion design
to think up Plastic Reedblocks, MY GOD wouldn't they have a single clue
non-porous, naturally slippery Plastic and Wax would not make a good match?

if they had thought it through, tuned the reeds decently. then used a simple
bead of silicon caulking it would have ACTUALLY HELD and lasted awhile
and STill have allowed for removal and repair

that is why i felt dissapointment.. and further, if they are now that clueless
in general how many other parts of their accordions are similarly screwed up
from poorly substituted parts and materials?

this is remenicent of the days when Pot Metal was substituted for brass or tin
or nickel in (fake) look alike (usually premium priced) artistic pieces and jewelry

ciao

Ventura

 

[Ventura]

I played that box for the entirety of my schooling and ensemble years. This box cost the equivalent of €1200 in 1993 or so.

hey, i understand.. especially as poor young kids we made the fullest use from whatever
the heck God placed into our hands at any given moment

now i started learning accordion at age 4, all my friends mostly laughed
at me as the Beatles took over the earth

then one day at Chucks house a bunch of teenagers were sitting on his
front steps jammin' on guitars etc. and there was his kid sisters cheap hohner melodica
sitting there, so i picked it up and started to Jam with them

that was when they (and i) realized in amazement that
"ventura... you can play the hell out of anything with keys"
which led to that Tube Job Cordovox and me making a living
on 1000 and 1 gigs in the 70's

and i have played the living shit out of everything from crappy accordions sitting
in some corner of a Flea Market to our friends Super VI at the CastleFi Museum
ever since

but everyone should strive to always improve their personal instruments
to the extent that Fortune and growing experience allow, which is why
i have journeyed to Haight Ashbury as well as CastleFidardo and Germany and Nashville
and many places in between always searching and learning and keeping my eyes open

ciao

Ventura

 

[Tom]

Fortunatamente, God gave me more money than brains and my accordions are of a value my talent will exceed only in my wildest dreams. But I will not stop researching and practicing and continue to improve. Hopefully I will not get to the virtuosic plate spinning phase where I need a Scandalli Super Fly.

 

[Alan Sharkis]

hey, i understand.. especially as poor young kids we made the fullest use from whatever
the heck God placed into our hands at any given moment

now i started learning accordion at age 4, all my friends mostly laughed
at me as the Beatles took over the earth

then one day at Chucks house a bunch of teenagers were sitting on his
front steps jammin' on guitars etc. and there was his kid sisters cheap hohner melodica
sitting there, so i picked it up and started to Jam with them

that was when they (and i) realized in amazement that
"ventura... you can play the hell out of anything with keys"
which led to that Tube Job Cordovox and me making a living
on 1000 and 1 gigs in the 70's

and i have played the living shit out of everything from crappy accordions sitting
in some corner of a Flea Market to our friends Super VI at the CastleFi Museum
ever since

but everyone should strive to always improve their personal instruments
to the extent that Fortune and growing experience allow, which is why
i have journeyed to Haight Ashbury as well as CastleFidardo and Germany and Nashville
and many places in between always searching and learning and keeping my eyes open

ciao

Ventura

I never wanted to play for money. But I could jam with anyone you threw at me.

 

[Big Squeezy Accordions]

An update to this thread:

I wrote to the CEO of Weltmeister, and he responded promptly. It would seem that they are no longer making bellows this way. Or could the Weltmeister I have be counterfeit? Is that even a thing? I include my email and his reply below so you can judge for yourself.

Dear Mr. Meltke,

I am an accordion technician in New Orleans, USA. Yesterday, a client brought in a Weltmeister Rubin that he had recently bought. He purchased the accordion second hand, but it appears to have been only lightly used. The instrument was unplayable due to a porous fabric being used instead of leather in the bellows corners - see photos. I must say, I was very surprised at the shoddiness of an instrument which retails for
$1600 in the US. I have for some time recommended new Weltmeisters over new Hohners, which I have found to be of poor quality, but after seeing this instrument, I'm not sure I can do so anymore. I have only seen these fabric bellows corners on the very cheapest, disposable Chinese accordions before, and am rather shocked that Weltmeister would use them. My question for you is, does Weltmeister still make bellows like this? If not, can I purchase a replacement bellows for my client?

Sincerely,
David Symons


Dear Mr. Symons,

Thank you very much for reaching out. I cc'ed Amy as she is in California. It is with great pleasure to read that you see a high value in Weltmeister accordions. Please rest assured that our priority objective is to safeguard the quality of our products. We use the finest leather in our bellow production. I took some pictures 10 minutes ago in our bellow department. There is no fabric at all.

To clarify some question regarding size, color and so on Amy will reach out to you.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen / with best regards
Frank Meltke
CEO

 

[petch]

It would seem that they are no longer making bellows this way. Or could the Weltmeister I have be counterfeit? Is that even a thing?

Maybe the accordion in question had the bellows replaced for some reason with the cheapest available (or from a donor accordion)?