Hohner imperator iv
- Thread starter Ppet1993
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You can consider the Imperator IV like an Atlantic IV but with cassotto. The sound is much nicer than that of the Atlantic, thanks to the cassotto which offsets the very sharp tone caused by the metal body. Issues to watch out for are mainly 1) foam of the pallets that disintegrates over time and need to be replaced by felt+leather, 2) "viledon" instead of real leather on large valves that stiffens and becomes more like cardboard than leather, 3) reeds are rather prone to rusting, especially when the accordion was used near (within say 30 miles of) a coast.
My personal opinion is that all Hohner accordions using metal bodies were overpriced for what they were. The cheap industrial way of making the metal casing (compared to the laborious way of making wooden casings) was not reflected in a lower price. Today of course these accordions have become affordable.
My personal opinion is that all Hohner accordions using metal bodies were overpriced for what they were. The cheap industrial way of making the metal casing (compared to the laborious way of making wooden casings) was not reflected in a lower price. Today of course these accordions have become affordable.
AccordionJustice
Active member
I'm glad its considered a good accordion by an expert. Im so darn excited to finally get my Imperator IV back from the repair shop hopefully later this month. I've been limited to a basic 39 key Galanti with no frills, so pretty much anything would be an improvement. With that said I personally would put the Imperator as one of the top 5 Hohner accordions. Its not the Gola, but as Paul mentioned the casotto brings it above the Atlantic and gives it some nice tones.What is your opinion for hohner imperator iv 120bass ?
Interesting. I'd like to hear what your top 5 is. Mine would be:
1) Gola (best quality but hugely overpriced)
2) Morino M (best Morino sound, but poor mechanics)
3) Morino N and S (next-best Morino sound, and better mechanics
but then I start struggling.
I still have to place the Imperator on the list, the Mattie (made by IMC), the new Morino (made by IMC), and finally maybe the Morino made by Pigini... I'd probably put the IMC-made accordions in the top 5 and then the Pigini-Morino and Imperator don't make the top 5...
Walker
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This is fun:
1. Gola
2. Golina or Goletta
3. Morino M
4. Morino S (De Luxe, if possible)
5. Morino N
1. Gola
2. Golina or Goletta
3. Morino M
4. Morino S (De Luxe, if possible)
5. Morino N
RIght, I forgot all about the Golina/Goletta. I fully agree with your list. So sadly for the Imperator, it doesn't make it into the top 5.
I own both an Imperator V and a Morino VI N, love the Imperator, but the keyboard is a distinct notch under the MORINO, both left and right hands. Here is an odd fact… Imperator V, hand made reeds, MORINO N, hand finished reeds. Never can understand why Horner would do that.
My opinion is that Morinos were made for more specialized music and the Imperators made for greatest versatility. Both aimed more towards the professional musician, looking at the literature and line-up of Horner accordions at the time.
My opinion is that Morinos were made for more specialized music and the Imperators made for greatest versatility. Both aimed more towards the professional musician, looking at the literature and line-up of Horner accordions at the time.
Walker
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If we are talking Morino - in my humble opinion they are very fine accordions, and not diminished by having hand finished reeds.
However, if available, I would go for a Morino V S De Luxe, but they appear to be quite rare. They have a mano reeds and gold-plated external metal parts. Here's one to illustrate...
However, if available, I would go for a Morino V S De Luxe, but they appear to be quite rare. They have a mano reeds and gold-plated external metal parts. Here's one to illustrate...
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It is my understanding that Hohner specifically gave the Morino N (and S) only hand-finished reeds to give buyers a stronger incentive to go for the Gola instead.
temryd
Member
All of this discussion regarding the Hohner high-end models is very helpful.
Does anyone know what the principal differences are between the Golina, Goletta and Gola? Size? Reed types? Cassotto or none??
It is hard to find info on the Golina and Goletta.
Does anyone know what the principal differences are between the Golina, Goletta and Gola? Size? Reed types? Cassotto or none??
It is hard to find info on the Golina and Goletta.
The Golina or Goletta (same thing) has mostly the same construction as the Gola (some experts may know the specific details about differences in construction) but it came with tipo-a-mano (hand finished) reeds instead of a-mano (hand made) reeds.
It sat in the Hohner line-up between the Morino and the Gola, and offered for instance the sordino that the Morino lacked. Basically people bought either the Morino if they wanted the best Hohner they could afford but could not afford the Gola, and if they could afford it they bought the Gola. As a result there are few Golina/Goletta accordions still around.
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