Regarding reed makes, I learned a bit more from experienced people in Castelfidardo. Some call Binci reeds "ladies reeds" because they are supposedly made of a bit softer steel that is excellent for playing softly and having the reeds respond immediately. These reeds are then not ideal for a strong (male) player who plays fortississimo all the time.
Voci Armoniche is liked by many, as the successor of Salpa and Antonelli. Stronger reeds, maybe better for allround use that includes playing soft and loud to very loud.
Cagnoni are good reeds too. (I visited the factory.) The Hohner Morino S series uses Cagnoni reeds. These do not sound exactly the same as the older Morino N series that used Bugari reeds (but these are no longer made).
My Pigini bass accordion has Artigiani Voci and those are good too but here too the threshold between good response and not choking on high volume is a bit delicate on the lowest notes.
On the whole I would say that the voicing of the reeds is more important than which brand of reeds are used (as long as they are good quality reeds: a mano or at least tipo a mano). And when doing a repair that requires replacing a reed it is important to get a replacement reed of either the same brand or at least similar hardness of steel. Often you can identify a reed that has been replaced because it has a different sound.
Voci Armoniche is liked by many, as the successor of Salpa and Antonelli. Stronger reeds, maybe better for allround use that includes playing soft and loud to very loud.
Cagnoni are good reeds too. (I visited the factory.) The Hohner Morino S series uses Cagnoni reeds. These do not sound exactly the same as the older Morino N series that used Bugari reeds (but these are no longer made).
My Pigini bass accordion has Artigiani Voci and those are good too but here too the threshold between good response and not choking on high volume is a bit delicate on the lowest notes.
On the whole I would say that the voicing of the reeds is more important than which brand of reeds are used (as long as they are good quality reeds: a mano or at least tipo a mano). And when doing a repair that requires replacing a reed it is important to get a replacement reed of either the same brand or at least similar hardness of steel. Often you can identify a reed that has been replaced because it has a different sound.
