W
- Status
Stephen Hawkins
Experienced Gentleman.
Dear Wobble,
The information I have found is scant, though I suppose it is better than nothing.
Known, I believe, as "Zon-Rio", your instrument was marketed by the Sano Company, Cranford, New Jersey. There is some speculation as to whether "Sano" was merely the importer of Italian instruments, or if they made/assembled Italian instruments in New Jersey.
They do not appear to be popular in Europe under that name, nor can I find any Italian company laying claim to their manufacture. I suggest that you contact "Sano" or any holding company holding their archive.
The information I have found is scant, though I suppose it is better than nothing.
Known, I believe, as "Zon-Rio", your instrument was marketed by the Sano Company, Cranford, New Jersey. There is some speculation as to whether "Sano" was merely the importer of Italian instruments, or if they made/assembled Italian instruments in New Jersey.
They do not appear to be popular in Europe under that name, nor can I find any Italian company laying claim to their manufacture. I suggest that you contact "Sano" or any holding company holding their archive.
Stephen Hawkins
Experienced Gentleman.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
The Sano company also manufacture amplifiers under the "Zon Rio" marque, though I understand that these are made at a plant in Irvington, NJ. The source for this information supports the supposition that Sano also made Accordions under the "Zon-Rio" label.
Hope some of this helps.
The Sano company also manufacture amplifiers under the "Zon Rio" marque, though I understand that these are made at a plant in Irvington, NJ. The source for this information supports the supposition that Sano also made Accordions under the "Zon-Rio" label.
Hope some of this helps.
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2013
- Messages
- 5,178
- Reaction score
- 990
Just the opposite , The Italian Manufacturer Zon-Rio made extremely fine accordions, and for a time made models for export for the US distributor SANO with a Sano badge. There was a NJ USA firm that made mainly Sano Guitar amp's and produced a number of accordion amp's with the nameplate SANO for the US accordion distributor.
The accordion in the pic' is not a Zon-Rio but a mediocre make Italian import late 30's to early 40's.
The accordion in the pic' is not a Zon-Rio but a mediocre make Italian import late 30's to early 40's.
W
wobble
Guest
Ok so I'm none the wiser to what it is now I have conflicting comments.
If nothing else I am impressed with the fact that there is so little information on the WWW
about this model or in fact an accordion make Rio
If nothing else I am impressed with the fact that there is so little information on the WWW
about this model or in fact an accordion make Rio
Stephen Hawkins
Experienced Gentleman.
JimD,
I am only going off what I have read on the internet. One forum contained blogs which linked Sano to both amp & accordion production. The same forum contained references to Zon-Rio, and some of the amps apparently bore that logo.
I can find no mention of Zon-Rio on a comprehensive list of Italian manufacturers, though I do not deny the possibility. In fact, the only references I have found for Zon-Rio are all on American websites.
Wobble,
I'm sure that JimD will get to the bottom of this conundrum for you. I have tried to help by providing the information I have found, but must bow to Jim's superior knowledge. Still, all that said, you may wish to follow your own lines of enquiry.
It does seem, however, that I am not a million miles from the truth, as Jim did say that Sano imported and marketed Italian accordions.
Kind Regards,
Stephen.
I am only going off what I have read on the internet. One forum contained blogs which linked Sano to both amp & accordion production. The same forum contained references to Zon-Rio, and some of the amps apparently bore that logo.
I can find no mention of Zon-Rio on a comprehensive list of Italian manufacturers, though I do not deny the possibility. In fact, the only references I have found for Zon-Rio are all on American websites.
Wobble,
I'm sure that JimD will get to the bottom of this conundrum for you. I have tried to help by providing the information I have found, but must bow to Jim's superior knowledge. Still, all that said, you may wish to follow your own lines of enquiry.
It does seem, however, that I am not a million miles from the truth, as Jim did say that Sano imported and marketed Italian accordions.
Kind Regards,
Stephen.
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2013
- Messages
- 5,178
- Reaction score
- 990
Zon-Rios were sold here with the badge SANO and ZON- RIO --- See here ---
https://www.google.com/search?q=zon...i=fv7RWJ-LOpSgjwToo77ICA#imgrc=Xoo53LxV_i8kLM :
And ---
https://www.google.com/search?q=san...i=Ef_RWMr3Lqe3jwTCmIfIAQ#imgrc=RdSE2ALrFqHURM :
Your RIO in the pic is a model name not the maker. It was a common practice in the 30s thru the 50s for dealers to import mediocre models of Italian accordions from various firms with many different model names just as the China boxs today.
https://www.google.com/search?q=zon...i=fv7RWJ-LOpSgjwToo77ICA#imgrc=Xoo53LxV_i8kLM :
And ---
https://www.google.com/search?q=san...i=Ef_RWMr3Lqe3jwTCmIfIAQ#imgrc=RdSE2ALrFqHURM :
Your RIO in the pic is a model name not the maker. It was a common practice in the 30s thru the 50s for dealers to import mediocre models of Italian accordions from various firms with many different model names just as the China boxs today.
This is definitely not a zon rio!
Sano/zon rios are, as Jim indicated, very high quality and great accordions The double chamber Sanos I would rate in the top 10 accordions ever made. the famous Carmen Carozza played a stereo 60.
The zon rio smaller ones are great for strolling and have a nice sound too.
Sano/zon rios are, as Jim indicated, very high quality and great accordions The double chamber Sanos I would rate in the top 10 accordions ever made. the famous Carmen Carozza played a stereo 60.
The zon rio smaller ones are great for strolling and have a nice sound too.
Stephen Hawkins
Experienced Gentleman.
I have visited a number of websites in NJ and beyond, where I have discovered the origins of the "Zon-Rio" brand name. It was an amalgam of the names of the founders of Major Music (based in NJ), Joe ZONfrilli & his brother in law and business partner, Lou IoRIO.
Nicholas Sano imported accordions from Italy, and had amps designed by Major Music. Some of them were marketed as Zon-Rio accordions, presumably because they were fitted with amps from that company.
Zonfrilli & Iorio were Italian Americans. Their manufacturing and marketing base was definitely in the US, which obviously means that Zon-Rio was an American enterprise ...... not an Italian one.
Nicholas Sano imported accordions from Italy, and had amps designed by Major Music. Some of them were marketed as Zon-Rio accordions, presumably because they were fitted with amps from that company.
Zonfrilli & Iorio were Italian Americans. Their manufacturing and marketing base was definitely in the US, which obviously means that Zon-Rio was an American enterprise ...... not an Italian one.
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2013
- Messages
- 5,178
- Reaction score
- 990
Steve: Good history, you must have a copy of "The Golden Age Of The Accordion" .
A must publication for anyone interested in the accordion's serious history of the past and the to the present history of manufactures , artist's , performers , and accordion history in the US.
These gent's were not maker's, but imported ,and only imported fine made accordion models as the importer's such as Ernest Deffner (sold and played their product's), Emil Banldoli ( my first mentor) , and the late Julio Giuliietti,( a neighbor and later mentor) --- Well I seen I'm to be rambling here -- maybe we can start another thread on "Accordion History As We No In Today " ???
A must publication for anyone interested in the accordion's serious history of the past and the to the present history of manufactures , artist's , performers , and accordion history in the US.
These gent's were not maker's, but imported ,and only imported fine made accordion models as the importer's such as Ernest Deffner (sold and played their product's), Emil Banldoli ( my first mentor) , and the late Julio Giuliietti,( a neighbor and later mentor) --- Well I seen I'm to be rambling here -- maybe we can start another thread on "Accordion History As We No In Today " ???
Stephen Hawkins
Experienced Gentleman.
JimD,
I do not own, nor have I seen a copy of "The Golden Age Of The Accordion."
The little research I have conducted was undertaken only because your claim that Zon-Rio was an Italian company was at odds with what my research had divulged. My background demands that I apply scientific rigour to any research I conduct, and many years of scrupulous professional investigation is hard to shake off.
I do not own, nor have I seen a copy of "The Golden Age Of The Accordion."
The little research I have conducted was undertaken only because your claim that Zon-Rio was an Italian company was at odds with what my research had divulged. My background demands that I apply scientific rigour to any research I conduct, and many years of scrupulous professional investigation is hard to shake off.
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2013
- Messages
- 5,178
- Reaction score
- 990
Stephen Hawkins
Experienced Gentleman.
Thank you, Jim. I have a birthday coming up in June.
Stephen Hawkins
Experienced Gentleman.
This is by no means a definitive answer, but I have just discovered that the lorio family in NJ manufactured and sold RIO Accordions. Al lorio's obituary featured in "USA Today", with a photograph of him posing beside several RIO Accordions. Presumably Al lorio was related in some way to Lou lorio, who we know was involved in the production of Zon Rio Accordions.
Oh Well, it's as clear as mud now, but I think Zon Rio & Rio are two sides of the same coin.
Oh Well, it's as clear as mud now, but I think Zon Rio & Rio are two sides of the same coin.
- Status
