Excelsior Continental Grand

[Edward]

Art VanDamme

So did Art's models come with low E? that's cool. I have to go look at one of his album covers. All the pic's I see he has a lot of accordions, old symphony's, AC's they all go from G to high C. All these pics don't even have a low F. Don't see any with a low E.

 

[JIM D.]

I only know of one excelsior model that came with a low "E" on the treble keyboard.
The Excelsior AC Van Damme played was a 1960's AC model by Excelsior that he played to his demise.
It did mot have a low "E". When Pigini absorbed Excelsior they made changes to the older Excelsior
line up. Now there is an Excelsior model with a low"E". It's a Symphony Gold and is the only one in the new line up. Art never played a Symphony Gold as he passed away with and performing with his 1960's AC Continental.

Tastiera a piano

www.excelsior-accordions.it

 

[pitzelberger]

I also own an AC and would be interested in an age estimate. Is it pre or post Pigini?

 

[debra]

I also own an AC and would be interested in an age estimate. Is it pre or post Pigini?

The register and grille design are all pre-Pigini. So this is still a "real" Excelsior.

 

[Edward]

The register and grille design are all pre-Pigini. So this is still a "real" Excelsior.

I would point out that original AC's only had 10 treble shifts...

 

[TonyChicago]

The register and grille design are all pre-Pigini. So this is still a "real" Excelsior.

De Bra, would that hold true for mine as well?

 

[JIM D.]

Pitzelbergers"s Accordion is a post Pigini box.

Toni's is a pre Pigini.

 

[TonyChicago]

Pitzelbergers"s Accordion is a post Pigini box.

Toni's is a pre Pigini.

Thanks Jim!

 

[debra]

Pitzelbergers"s Accordion is a post Pigini box.

Toni's is a pre Pigini.

They both look pretty similar to me (minus electronics). The register style is pretty old and I would date it to quite a bit before the Pigini-Excelsior take-over.
What am I missing that you see in Pitzelberger's accordion that is different from Toni's?

 

[Edward]

Difference is Excelsior only had 10 treble shifts, Pigini/Excelsior has 11.

 

[JIM D.]

Right on ED. I missed the the treble shifts myself.

 

[debra]

Right on ED. I missed the the treble shifts myself.

Even more of a mystery then. Discounting the number of register switches, what did you notice on the Pigini/Excelsior that is the indication this one is from after the takeover that is different on the other one? They look the same to me, and I thought Pigini never used this style of register switches. But I must be mistakan...

 

[Walker]

I have always been fascinated by the rare few stradella bass accordions that had a 6 voice bass. As we know, the AC Continental was one such accordion. Even on the current production the Excelsior website is clear that the models such as "Symphony Gold", "Magnante" and "AC Continental" all possess this feature.

Can someone please advise where the extra voice is employed on such an accordion.

As far as I am aware Excelsior is the only accordion brand that still uses 6 voice bass on some of its Stradella models. Are there any others?
​

 

[JerryPH]

The Dallape Organetta had 6 as well, I guess they wanted to pope to really get his morning workout in while playing it... lol I think its just an extra row of really deep reeds (32' ?).

 

[pitzelberger]

I have always been fascinated by the rare few stradella bass accordions that had a 6 voice bass.

I also have been fascinated and never really understood the idea behind the six reeds, especially after knowing how the additional row is used: the sixth row is actually an exact copy of the 2nd chord row, but behind the bass pallets. So it opens when you press a bass button and sounds unisono with the second chord row behind the chord pallets, which also open when pressing the bass buttons. Also it is only active in the master register, so there is no register where only the row behind the bass pallets is active but not its copy behind the chord pallets.

I own an AC myself and did not realize that this setup makes much difference to a 5 row setup. Maybe it has a bit more punch and also supports the lower bass rows in activating faster.

Also the same setup can be found in some of the old Golas.

 

[Walker]

I also have been fascinated and never really understood the idea behind the six reeds, especially after knowing how the additional row is used: the sixth row is actually an exact copy of the 2nd chord row, but behind the bass pallets. So it opens when you press a bass button and sounds unisono with the second chord row behind the chord pallets, which also open when pressing the bass buttons. Also it is only active in the master register, so there is no register where only the row behind the bass pallets is active but not its copy behind the chord pallets.

I own an AC myself and did not realize that this setup makes much difference to a 5 row setup. Maybe it has a bit more punch and also supports the lower bass rows in activating faster.

Also the same setup can be found in some of the old Golas.

Thank you kindly for explaining! I knew it's use was very subtle one indeed. This is the stuff that great accordions are made of!

I used to own a 1963 Gola and the bass was silky smooth and subtle, there was no thunderous bass tone, only a gently rich quality and marvellous response.

 

[Alan Polivka]

I recently acquired this beautiful Excelsior AC model in excellent condition. My experience with Excelsior accordions is predominantly with the older ones built in New York. This one was built in Italy, so I would like to learn more about it.


I understand the ACs were introduced around the late 1950's or early 1960's, but I have a feeling mine might be newer (perhaps from the 1980's or 1990's). Its serial number is: 112 10. Given this photo and serial number, can anybody tell me anything about when would it have been made?

Based on other comments in this thread, it sounds like this one would have been made by Pigini, correct?

This accordion has a beautiful looking set of mics in it, but I can't get them to work. I'm wondering if Excelsior used some special type of cord between the accordion and amplifier at that time - possibly to supply power to the mics. Is anybody aware of anything like that?

Thank you,
Alan

 

[Verismo]

What Did Excelsior Change With The AC Models ?? Well Here Goes -------------------------------

First, All the Continental AC models were in development for some 5 years before being fully introduced in 1962.
All of the AC models had Sordina's (Tone Modulator's) and electronic pick-ups as standard equipment
They all came in Jet Black or White Pearl with straps and a luggage case.
The silhouette lines of the AC body were more square and crisp compared to previous Excelsior Models.
This new body design was lighter in weight compared to earlier Excelsiors.
All the AC models could be ordered with a "Quint Convertor" Bass Machine as an option.
All the AC models could be (Special Factory Ordered) with an extended keyboard.
All of the (4) AC models listed below could be ordered with a "Tone Chamber" with the STROLLER model
(only) coming with a "Tone Chamber" as standard.

(1) GRAND 10 treble shifts - 7 bass shifts-- 4/6 reeds
(2) ARTIST !0 treble shifts - 3 bass shifts-- 4/5 reeds
(3) BABY GRAND 6 treble shifts - 3 bass shifts -- 3/5 reeds
(4) STROLLER -- 3 treble shifts - 2 bass shifts -- 2/4 reeds (again only made with Tone Chamber)

And just a note; The STROLLER model was Excelsior's answer to the Sonola's "Ernie Felice" model very
popular at the time.

Now I've worked on all the AC models with the exception of the STROLLER model. I've long been looking
just such a model and if I'm able to procure one, the only way you will get it from me is with a mask & gun !!

Good morning Jim. I have an Excelsior Continental AC Artist Model 10 treble shifts, 3 bass shifts and 4/5 reeds, with tone modulator (with separate volume control) and a patent #, tone chamber and terlinde electronic pickup --with a luggage case. Serial number 171. The instrument is in mint condition and plays beautifully. It is Jet black and I love to play it. How could I find an accurate appraisal of its value? Thank you.

 

[Dano458]

I recently acquired this beautiful Excelsior AC model in excellent condition. My experience with Excelsior accordions is predominantly with the older ones built in New York. This one was built in Italy, so I would like to learn more about it.


I understand the ACs were introduced around the late 1950's or early 1960's, but I have a feeling mine might be newer (perhaps from the 1980's or 1990's). Its serial number is: 112 10. Given this photo and serial number, can anybody tell me anything about when would it have been made?

Based on other comments in this thread, it sounds like this one would have been made by Pigini, correct?

This accordion has a beautiful looking set of mics in it, but I can't get them to work. I'm wondering if Excelsior used some special type of cord between the accordion and amplifier at that time - possibly to supply power to the mics. Is anybody aware of anything like that?

Thank you,
Alan

Beautiful accordion Alan. I own a few Excelsiors myself, and find them to be wonderful to play. Regarding your issue, have you replaced the 9volt battery located within the lefthand cavity of the accordion?

I'm far from an expert on accordions and appreciate all of the knowledgeable people that participate in the Forum. They've helped me whenever I asked a question.

Enjoy your beautiful accordion, and check the battery. I've enclosed a photo of my newest acquired Excelsior Symphony Gold Art Van Damme with extended keyboard.

Take care

 

[Alan Polivka]

Beautiful accordion Alan. I own a few Excelsiors myself, and find them to be wonderful to play. Regarding your issue, have you replaced the 9volt battery located within the lefthand cavity of the accordion?

I'm far from an expert on accordions and appreciate all of the knowledgeable people that participate in the Forum. They've helped me whenever I asked a question.

Enjoy your beautiful accordion, and check the battery. I've enclosed a photo of my newest acquired Excelsior Symphony Gold Art Van Damme with extended keyboard.

Take care

Thank you, Dano. If your AC requires a battery, it has (modern) electret condensor mics. They are the current state-of-the-art in accordion mic elements (you have the best technology currently available). I've done more research, some testing, and talked to various folks, including the manufacturer (Excelsior/Pigini) in Italy. From all of that, I have learned that my AC was built in 1989. It does not have electret condensor mics, but rather, has something somewhat unusual in a piano accordion - namely, dynamic mics. Dynamic mics do not require a power source and offer some improvement in sound quality as compared with the old crystal mics used back in the "golden age" of the accordion. Unfortunately, the dynamic mics in my AC are no longer functional. I am going to have to replace them. I have a large inventory of various types of mics for accordions (crystal, dynamic and electret condensor) - I just haven't gotten around to replacing them yet. Take care, Alan