"Harmony" 4/5 Accordion

[IHAccordion]

Hi all,

I recently upgraded from my LMM Settimio Soprani to this "Harmony" Castelfidardo accordion. Any information that you could provide would be helpful. It looks like it has a Winkelbass setup for a set of the bass reeds. Any other information you guys could give me would be appreciated!

Гармония 4/5 кастельфидардо аккордеон 120 бас гармошкой | eBay

<p dir="ltr">Harmony 4/5 Castelfidardo Accordion 120 Bass Accordian. Condition is "Used".<br> In excellent cosmetic and playing condition <br> 18 1/4" keyboard <br> 4/5 reed<br> 9 treble registers<br> 2 bass registers<br> Case included</p>

www.ebay.com

 

[Dingo40]

IHA,
Looks like a great deal!??

 

[debra]

If it's the one from that link then it does not have Winkelbaß. It does have the highest bass reeds mounted flush on the soundboard, but that's not Winkelbaß.

 

[IHAccordion]

If it's the one from that link then it does not have Winkelbaß. It does have the highest bass reeds mounted flush on the soundboard, but that's not Winkelbaß.

Ah, thanks for the correction. Is there any particular reason for mounting the reeds like that?

 

[JIM D.]

It just allows the 4th & 5th reed sets to sound together with the same pallet opening. In this case only one slide is needed to switch from master to high sets.
In great shape for a late 30's vintage.

 

[IHAccordion]

It just allows the 4th & 5th reed sets to sound together with the same pallet opening. In this case only one slide is needed to switch from master to high sets.
In great shape for a late 30's vintage.

Thanks!

I notice on this model that there's only 9 switches instead of 11 for LMMH - any guesses as to what the likely 2 missing register switches are?

An internet search yields next to no information on "Harmony", but that seems to be the typical result for most accordions. However, these accordions do bear a bit of resemblance to Silvio Marotta accordions - would you guys agree (see below)

Silvio Marotta Castelfidardo Accordion / Accordian

 

[debra]

Thanks!

I notice on this model that there's only 9 switches instead of 11 for LMMH - any guesses as to what the likely 2 missing register switches are?

...

I would expect at least 10 switches on an LMM'H accordion: L, LM, LH, LMH, LMM', LMM'H, M, MM', MH, H. That's 10 switches. Some accordions also offer the LM' M'H and/or LM'H switches...
Are you sure the accordion is LMMH?
With and LMM'M'' accordion I would expect L, LM, LMM', LMM'M'', M, MM', MMM' (7 switches) and some have LM'M'' and M'M'' and that's then a total of 9.

 

[Glug]

Hohner Lucia (LMMH 37/96) has 9: H, M, L, LM, LH, MH, MM+, LMH, LMMH
Hohner Atlantic (LMMH 41/120) has 11: adds MM+H and LMM+

 

[IHAccordion]

Liberty Bellows is selling a very similar model Harmony accordion - it has 9 switches and is a LMMH accordion (although mine could be a LMMM - won’t really know until I get it in my hands)

3975 - Brown Harmony Piano Accordion LMMH 41 120

Type: Piano Accordion Reeds: 4/5 LMMH Treble: 41 Buttons, 19(48.25cm) Button to Button, 9 Registers Bass: 120 Bass Buttons, 1 Register Weight: 21.5lbs / 9.75kg Features: Musette Option, Unique Finish

www.libertybellows.com

 

[IHAccordion]

I would expect at least 10 switches on an LMM'H accordion: L, LM, LH, LMH, LMM', LMM'H, M, MM', MH, H. That's 10 switches. Some accordions also offer the LM' M'H and/or LM'H switches...
Are you sure the accordion is LMMH?
With and LMM'M'' accordion I would expect L, LM, LMM', LMM'M'', M, MM', MMM' (7 switches) and some have LM'M'' and M'M'' and that's then a total of 9.

Is there a way to tell from just the pictures of the reeds whether or not its a LMMM or LMMH accordion?

 

[ArtMustel]

Maybe if the picture where the reed blocks show were more clear or from a different angle, one could tell.

In my opinion it is a LMMH, just a hunch.

 

[JIM D.]

Al the "M" reeds are of Clarinet size. They appear the same and must be sounded to tell the cents value.
You can tell L M & H sets by their reed size L is the largest M is medium & H being the smallest.

 

[IHAccordion]

Indeed - I understand the sizes of the reeds. I tried to look at the photo of the treble reeds, but I got cross eyed trying to compare the sizes in the photo given to see if there are 3 clarinet reeds or 2 clarinet reeds and 1 piccolo reed.

 

[ArtMustel]

Indeed - I understand the sizes of the reeds. I tried to look at the photo of the treble reeds, but I got cross eyed trying to compare the sizes in the photo given to see if there are 3 clarinet reeds or 2 clarinet reeds and 1 piccolo reed.

LOL. You are consuming yourself in the fire of anticipation (I do too when I'm expecting packages)...you will need to wait until you receive it. but the most important, i think you got a good deal.

 

[IHAccordion]

LOL. You are consuming yourself in the fire of anticipation (I do too when I'm expecting packages)...you will need to wait until you receive it. but the most important, i think you got a good deal.

You nailed it on the head! This is pretty much an early Christmas gift to myself so I'm pretty excited to get it.

 

[Dingo40]

"In great shape for a late 30's vintage."
Consider the well rounded corners, the "inset " bass board, the waterfall keys.
Pre WWII? Are you sure Jim??

 

[ArtMustel]

I found this pic of a harmony very similar to yours:

 

[IHAccordion]

Yes, that's the one that I linked to being sold by Liberty Bellows earlier. It also has 9 switches and if my accordion is the same internally then it would be a LMMH judging by the illustrations on the switches.

 

[JIM D.]

Waterfall keys began disappearing in the 40's here in the US & Italy.
WW II accordion production suffered in the US & Italy until the end of the war. Normal production started again after 1945 and
accordions with waterfall keys ceased to appear on the new models. As in Germany accordions with waterfall keyboards appeared
until the early 50's.

 

[Dingo40]

Oh! OK! Thanks ( still learning) ??