Experiences Online Ordering from Liberty Bellows?

[RHOU]

Hi all, I am in the US and am pretty sure I will end up buying an instrument from Liberty Bellows. Does anybody have experiences (positive or negative) about how the instrument arrived? Did you end up using their return option to try an accordion for 7 days?

 

[danp76]

Hi all, I am in the US and am pretty sure I will end up buying an instrument from Liberty Bellows. Does anybody have experiences (positive or negative) about how the instrument arrived? Did you end up using their return option to try an accordion for 7 days?

I’ve ordered several with great results.

 

[CC_PDX]

Very positive experience selling to and buying boxes from them as well as accessories. They are quick, communicative and everything has arrived safely and quickly. Same goes for Petosa on West Coast.

 

[Scuromondo]

I live in driving distance (3 hours) from Liberty Bellows. I once bought an accordion from them on a Saturday, decided that I didn’t like it, and returned it the following Saturday with no problem at all.

 

[Hilobox]

Hi all, I am in the US and am pretty sure I will end up buying an instrument from Liberty Bellows. Does anybody have experiences (positive or negative) about how the instrument arrived? Did you end up using their return option to try an accordion for 7 days?

I have purchased three instruments from Liberty Bellows, and one arrived just yesterday, a Hohner Marchesa in ivory, which I absolutely love. Because I live in Hilo, Hawaii, there are no local stores. Every purchase was in excellent shape, and packaged to survive the long trip here. Bass mechanisms are blocked with foam pieces. The Marchesa and Polverini V30 came with new leather straps. Both are excellent to my unskilled ear and playing, but have different personalities. The tiny Hohner Starlet has a beautiful musette sound. None have tuning issues. Hope that helps.

 

[John M]

I have purchased two accordions from Liberty Bellows, an ACE (has the "T" on the grille like a Titano) and a Roland FR-8X Dallape. Both arrived in excellent condition with no damage from shipping. The ACE bass mechanism was blocked so that nothing would move during any rough handling of the container.

John M.

 

[RHOU]

Thanks for all the answers, sounds like generally very positive feedback

 

[JeffJetton]

The only slightly negative things I've heard of them was from a former student of mine who ordered an accordion from them. It wound up having some problems, and rather than have her risk shipping it back to get fixed there, they recommended a local(ish) guy and said they'd pay for the repairs. She said getting the reimbursement from LB was "a fiasco" (not sure of the details there), but everything worked out fine in the end.

I've had another student buy from them with zero issues though. And while most of my "mail order" accordions have come from Smythe's, I would have no qualms about buying from LB if need be.

 

[Philatelius]

I purchased a used Ancona PA from Liberty Bellows a couple of years ago, and a stand this summer. The accordion was a fairly basic model but they packed it well. I wouldn't have a problem with ordering from them again.

 

[LibraryJoe]

I've purchased accordions from Liberty Bellows, driving from DC to Philadelphia. A few years back when I was considering an online purchase, they suggested I take the three hour drive, and I did. Whenever I'm in Philadelphia, now once a year or so, I make it a point to visit. Always welcoming.
Another member mentioned Petosa, and I've bought and sold several accordions that successfully traveled from the West to the East coasts of the US. Years ago I purchased an accordion from Music Magic in New Jersey, which no longer appears to have the inventory they once had. Another successful transaction.

The remaining accordion online sales outlets in the US can be counted on one hand. I have no doubt some smaller dealers-- one near Pittsburgh PA and another in White Plains have also remained in business in large part because of their reputations as legitimate retail establishments who serve their clients well. They have to be.

I believe this Forum does a great service to the relatively small world of accordionists-- in the US and across the globe.

 

[Alan Sharkis]

I, too, took a trip to Liberty Bellows while visiting a relative in Maryland.It was to purchase a piece of nostalgia— an accordion identical (except for color) to one I had as a kid. While there, I tested the accordion and noticed that there was one piccolo reed at the high end that wasn’t sounding on the pull. The owner took the accordion, opened it up and removed the dust particle. He then gave me back the accordion to try and wouldn’t let me and the bag I bought for it go until I was satisfied that all was OK. Since then, I’ve mail- ordered accessories from him with no problems.

 

[Alan Sharkis]

I've purchased accordions from Liberty Bellows, driving from DC to Philadelphia. A few years back when I was considering an online purchase, they suggested I take the three hour drive, and I did. Whenever I'm in Philadelphia, now once a year or so, I make it a point to visit. Always welcoming.
Another member mentioned Petosa, and I've bought and sold several accordions that successfully traveled from the West to the East coasts of the US. Years ago I purchased an accordion from Music Magic in New Jersey, which no longer appears to have the inventory they once had. Another successful transaction.

The remaining accordion online sales outlets in the US can be counted on one hand. I have no doubt some smaller dealers-- one near Pittsburgh PA and another in White Plains have also remained in business in large part because of their reputations as legitimate retail establishments who serve their clients well. They have to be.

I believe this Forum does a great service to the relatively small world of accordionists-- in the US and across the globe.

 

[Alan Sharkis]

Music Magic USA has been concentrating on Roland V-Accordions for the past several years. Of late, they’ve also taken in and promoted the G. Verde acoustic accordions which are high quality instruments.

 

[Brassodemolish]

I have purchased three instruments from Liberty Bellows, and one arrived just yesterday, a Hohner Marchesa in ivory, which I absolutely love. Because I live in Hilo, Hawaii, there are no local stores. Every purchase was in excellent shape, and packaged to survive the long trip here. Bass mechanisms are blocked with foam pieces. The Marchesa and Polverini V30 came with new leather straps. Both are excellent to my unskilled ear and playing, but have different personalities. The tiny Hohner Starlet has a beautiful musette sound. None have tuning issues. Hope that helps.

I recently acquired a hohner marchesa in green, mine needs some reed work tho.

 

[Bum]

I bought a new Scandalli Air 1 S in November of 2020. I live in South Jersey within about 30 minutes of Liberty Bellows. I of course did not order it online, but did take advantage of their seven day return policy. I initially bought another brand piano accordion which I noticed a few keys that were not sounding normal. Mike from LB told me to bring it right over and they would fix it. While there I mentioned to Mike that I was not completely happy with the sound of the accordion. He mentioned his seven day policy and was very helpful letting me try some other brands. I ended up with the Scandalli which was about $500 more than my original purchase. My original purchase price was put towards the Scandalli and I left very satisfied. After about two years now, still very happy with my accordion and LB.