Free Bass questions

[tombitondo]

After reading a lot of posts here, I'm still a little confused as to what is the "standard" Free-Bass system; if there even is one...

I have 2 old accordions with Stradella bass, and I'm considering adding a convertor to one of them and/or purchasing a used accordion with a free bass system. The dilemma I have is that I want something standardized enough to be readily available with future instrument upgrades.

BTW, they are both Piano Accordions.

Thanks in advance!!!

Tom Bitondo

 

[tombitondo]

I guess, what I'm really saying is that I don't want to learn different Free Bass systems, just the most common and versatile one. I play a wide variety of music (classical, jazz, rock) so the more universal it is, the better. Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Matt Butcher]

Like many things to do with accordions, there is no simple answer. Also, the answer depends where you are in the world... I will be back tomorrow, I expect there will be answers by then.

 

[Russ]

I have not heard of adding a converter to an "old" existing accordion, you probably can but I am sure if you could find a person to do it (big if) the cost would be ridiculous. I play a C system chromatic so the C system free bass is sort of natural. The C and B system are both fairly standard and you could go with either. (There are some other systems around Finnish, Quint, Moschino See the threads on this site. The more rare the system the harder it will be to find teaching materials and instruments) Just know that there is no such thing as a cheap converter. and whatever system you choose that is the system you will upgrade within/ just remember When you are talking about upgrading you are talking about thousands and thousands of dollars - Look around at some of the prices.

I just read your other post saying you are interested in playing a B system chromatic = Well you are in luck - there are a number of 3 row Bayans made in the Ukraine and Russia With converter bass for under a thousand bucks on ebay. Hohner also makes a student freebass only system for about fifteen hundred, and pigini makes a Peter Pan with a converter freebass/ You can get a CBA Peter Pan in either a C or B system/ or you can also get the peter pan with a piano keyboard with a choice of C or B system converter bass. I do love my little peter pan.

 

[tombitondo]

Let's say that while learning CBA fingerings is wishful thinking at this point, to learn Free Bass would be very useful to me and, I don't think, that difficult.

Which free bass layout is the most practical?

I would consider upgrading to a PA with free bass, but am not sure whats the best one to learn.

Thanks in advance, this is a great site and you all are very knowledgable and helpful!

Tom Bitondo

 

[Russ]

The CBA fingering is a mirror image of the C or B freebass so if you learn freebass you are going to learn CBA fingering anyway.

C or B, I don't think it matters One is not any better than the other IMO/ They are both highly respected. Your best bet, if your are going to shell out real money for one of these is to go to a number of different shops to check on availability. teaching methods, costs etc. and see how the fingering feels to you. For me the freebass is not as easy as it seems, and I played CBA for years before I picked up the freebass.

Please anyone correct me if you believe one system is technically superior to the other

 

[dunlustin]

I started on a 3-row C-system Freebass CBA with "mirror-image" bass - probably the nearest to a standard these days.
Certainly the Freebass-only accordions always seem to come with this system.
I enjoyed mine enough to buy an upgrade (Bugari).
It doesn't take too long to get the CBA layout into your fingers and the Left-hand is the same as the Right; so for example a chord uses the same fingering in both treble and bass.
The only downside:
Although it cost less than £1k for the accordion, you may have to write off the cost as you're not going to find a buyer very easily if/when you upgrade.
Having tried the Quint layout on the Roland FR1-X, as it is like the Stradella only more so, I can't see a problem getting used to it if you play PA.
They are I believe rare/costly and only available as a convertor.

 

[Bill Palmer]

Quint system Titano accordions are not really rare. Nor are they necessarily extremely costly, unless you get a Titano Emperor Converter. Some of these have outlasted their original owners. Victoria made a number of them as "Galla-Rini" converter accordions, as well.

If you play a chromatic accordion, you will find that the type of free bass depends entirely upon the right hand system.

 

[donn]

I see Sette Zero offers a Galla-Rini "per quinte" converter bass - but on only one model, and the web site says nothing about the other converter models that evidently are not Galla-Rini type.