Giulietti Classic 125—details?

[Ander]

Hi,

A friend here has acquired a Giulietti Classic 125. Neither of us had heard of the model till now. We knew of the famous Classic 127, of course—which to my knowledge was always a tone chamber instrument. This one is not. Can anyone tell us anything about it, and where it might have fallen in the hierarchy of Giulietti's models?

Thanks, Ander

 

[JIM D.]

As a rule the 127 is a 4 reed tone chamber box and the 125 is a 4 reed non chamber box. In the 60's and 70's some models of Giulietti 125 accordions were custom ordered from Italy (Zero Sette) and can be found in different configurations such as 3 reed LMM and LMH models with or without tone chamber and the very rare 125's with 4 reeds and tone chamber. 125's can also be found with 18" and 19" keyboards and some with bassetti free bass.

 

[Soulsaver]

As a rule the 127 is a 4 reed tone chamber box and the 125 is a 4 reed non chamber box. In the 60s and 70s some models of Giulietti 125 accordions were custom ordered from Italy (Zero Sette) and can be found in different configurations such as 3 reed LMM and LMH models with or without tone chamber and the very rare 125s with 4 reeds and tone chamber.

So Jim, I know you are correct in your above statement, no argument. But what is the difference between a 4 reed cassotto 125 & a 127 which is that spec normally?

 

[JIM D.]

Actually no difference. You must understand that the period of time these accordions were produced was called the Golden Age Of Accordion and accordion manufacturers in Italy were producing models 24 hours of the day with 200+ different brand names and shipping them to the US. Giulietti was a brand name and all the PAs from this US firm were made by (Zero Sette) in Italy. These US firms had there nameplates installed on models produced by Well known Italian firms for example Titano (Victoria) Sano (Zon Rio) PANcordion (Crucianelli) and even the German firm of Hohner had their Morinos made by (Excelsior). These US firms had contracts to produce x number of models per month and when a custom model of accordion was needed, a model line that was being produced at the time would be retrofitted to suit the order. In these years the difference between an Excelsiola and an Excelsior was that they ere the same box but the Excelsiola had machine made reeds and the Excelsior had hand made reeds. Well in the last 40 years Ive found some of these models with both hand made and machine made reeds with the same nameplates. There has never been an accurate publication on the different models of accordions made and when they were produced and model #s. Identifying older accordion models has always been difficult because of the lack of records kept and the variations produced. The simple fact that over the years that identifying models and variations has become not necessarily rule, but a code . If you really wish the Straight Skinny on a box you have take it to a dealer or repairman with at least 30+ years experience.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=straight+skinny

 

[Ander]

Thanks very much for all the info, Jim! The reeds on this particular accordion are double-riveted, so I tend to think they were handmade.

I realize the histories of most accordion companies are quite scattered (not the least reason for which is that their trademarks were ofter bought by other companies, who produced completely different accordions). However, has anyone ever attempted to compile a comprehensive list of the Giulietti models? I've found only one, but it included neither the Classic 127 nor 125.

 

[harmonikadave]

Actually no difference. You must understand that the period of time these accordions were produced was called the Golden Age Of Accordion and accordion manufacturers in Italy were producing models 24 hours of the day with 200+ different brand names and shipping them to the US. Giulietti was a brand name and all the PAs from this US firm were made by (Zero Sette) in Italy. These US firms had there nameplates installed on models produced by Well known Italian firms for example Titano (Victoria) Sano (Zon Rio) PANcordion (Crucianelli) and even the German firm of Hohner had their Morinos made by (Excelsior). These US firms had contracts to produce x number of models per month and when a custom model of accordion was needed, a model line that was being produced at the time would be retrofitted to suit the order. In these years the difference between an Excelsiola and an Excelsior was that they ere the same box but the Excelsiola had machine made reeds and the Excelsior had hand made reeds. Well in the last 40 years Ive found some of these models with both hand made and machine made reeds with the same nameplates. There has never been an accurate publication on the different models of accordions made and when they were produced and model #s. Identifying older accordion models has always been difficult because of the lack of records kept and the variations produced. The simple fact that over the years that identifying models and variations has become not necessarily rule, but a code . If you really wish the Straight Skinny on a box you have take it to a dealer or repairman with at least 30+ years experience.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=straight+skinny

hi all, my first post. though ive been visiting here for some very learned thoughts for quite some time.not sure of forum rules but here goes. i have an excelsiola and am wondering how i might tell if the reeds are factory made, hand finished or hand made? cheers dave

 

[JIM D.]

Hi Dave; I'm going to answer your post but not here as this a thread on Giiulietti accordion models. I'm going to start a new thread under Excelsiola reeds ???