Excelsior Symphony vs. Symphony Grand

[johnnyreb39]

Hi - I've got an line on an Excelsior Symphony for sale. It's in great condition with little wear. When researching the models I came across the Symphony Grand as well. What's makes the Grand, well "grand" vs. the Symphony?

Thanks!

 

[JIM D.]

The Excelcior Symphony was a model first made in New York, NY USA and made up to and thru the transition of production to
Italy. Early NY models can be found with 1 2 or 3 bass shifts ( couplers ). The transition of total Italian production resulted in
a Symphony model with 7 bass shifts and labeled Grand. Both Symphony & Symphony Grand models are the same internally
with the 4/5 reed configuration with only the difference of bass shift machines. Used Excelsior models have become more sought
after today as their build qualty results in a low cost to refurbush.

 

[96Bass]

There is a pre 1962 USA Symphony available at Petosa.
This particular accordion has 7 bass shifts.

USA Excelsior 'Symphony' (19 3/8

Details Made in the USA, this Excelsior is an exceptional instrument due to both its history and impeccable condition. The sound is pure Excelsior, rich and distinct. The Excelsior 'Tone Modulator' (grille mute) offers the player a full and harmonically rich sound when open or a warm and mellow...

petosa.com

 

[nancy patrice]

The Excelcior Symphony was a model first made in New York, NY USA and made up to and thru the transition of production to
Italy. Early NY models can be found with 1 2 or 3 bass shifts ( couplers ). The transition of total Italian production resulted in
a Symphony model with 7 bass shifts and labeled Grand. Both Symphony & Symphony Grand models are the same internally
with the 4/5 reed configuration with only the difference of bass shift machines. Used Excelsior models have become more sought
after today as their build qualty results in a low cost to refurbush.

Your response is helpful! Thank you. My accordion is labeled Excelsior Symphony. I am attached pictures on my initial post, yesterday, at 11:10 pm. Unfortunately I need to sell my instrument. Do you have any suggestions?

 

[Alan Polivka]

The Excelcior Symphony was a model first made in New York, NY USA and made up to and thru the transition of production to
Italy. Early NY models can be found with 1 2 or 3 bass shifts ( couplers ). The transition of total Italian production resulted in
a Symphony model with 7 bass shifts and labeled Grand. Both Symphony & Symphony Grand models are the same internally
with the 4/5 reed configuration with only the difference of bass shift machines. Used Excelsior models have become more sought
after today as their build qualty results in a low cost to refurbush.

Not exactly. Both Symphony and Symphony Grand were made in the USA (NYC) in the 1950s. The US-made Symphony Grands were 4/6 accordions whereas the Symphony model was 4/5.