Hohner. A fancy pre-war model?

[Dingo40]

So, the curved keyboard is a fashion statement, not a case of form follows function at all!

 

[JerryPH]

So, the curved keyboard is a fashion statement, not a case of form follows function at all!

Originally, it was an experiment, one that basically failed... perhaps not due to function but more due to form.

Hohner made MANY variants of the curved keyboard, one that even has something like double the length. That one sits in the Hohner museum in Trosssingen.

 

[John Doe]

So, the curved keyboard is a fashion statement, not a case of form follows function at all!

To the extent that the keyboard is more ergonomic as some players feel:

I wish curved keyboards would make a comeback, as they are not only very beautiful, but easier on the wrist for those high notes.

it surely falls into the form following function category. Still owning one- and I had another for a time- I find the advantage to be more neato-keeno than substantial. A big plus for appearance- and for many players looks really do count- and (for me) slight improvement, or at least a difference- in ergonomics.

On the other hand the suceptibility to pallet sideways movement with what would be acceptable pivot tolerances on a normal instrument, the slight but perceptible "feel" issues brought on by key length and marginally different pressures from key to key, and the absolute pain in the neck aggravation caused by the shape and size making the things ungainly beasts at best when placing them in their cleverly shaped original cases- and they really don't go in an aftermarket case at all gracefully (as in at all without major gyrations and mods- means that while easier to move than all the amps and speakers associated with electric instruments from E-cordions to guitars- they would be the one to leave at home given a choice twixt the curved models and almost any other accordion including the LMMMH behemoths.

Love it, but can see how it failed to thrive in the marketplace.

Henry- shepherd of his own beloved flock of wayward orphan accordions

 

[Anton Helmut]

In awe! Good luck with restoring it to it's former glory! You should definitely keep us posted on the progress you make with it!

So far valve flaps have been changed. The instrument started showing first signs of compression. It's very loud, and it's very good sign.

Bellow looks to be alive.

Next step is rewaxing and change of reedvalves. Surprisingly reedvalves are actually soft and look reusable... so we will probably re-glue the old reedvalves (not sure on this).