Hohner Imperial II Bass Range

[Squeezebox Of Delights]

Hello all,

Last Friday I got a 1930s Hohner Imperial II 24 bass miniature accordion, so I could have a small but useful instrument to take to school and on walks, etc. When it arrived, one of the first things I noticed was the layout of the bass buttons, which go from Ab to A. It's quite annoying as it means I can't easily play in G or Am (or other keys if the tune in question needs an E chord), but that might just be a Me Problem, because I tend to transpose tunes into easier keys while working them out. Out of interest, is it just me, or is this layout unusual? All of the 24 bass accordions I've seen go from Eb to E. I may be wrong here, but I just thought it seemed a little strange.

Thanks,

Oskar

 

[Dingo40]

Oskar,
Something like this?? (Basses Ab to A)

Or this?? ( Basses not specified)

This one has basses Eb to E?

 

[Dingo40]

So, Oskar,
It appears some were made with basses Ab to A, others Eb to E.
You may need to search around some more and arrange for a swap??
Amazing asking prices for some of these?

 

[Dingo40]

Oskar,
Here's yet another, different model, the Hohner Imperial iiA, 32 basses (bass, major, minor, seventh) , Eb to E.
Obviously, there's much to choose from and the variety is somewhat overwhelming!?
Good luck!??

 

[Squeezebox Of Delights]

Oskar,
Something like this?? (Basses Ab to A)

Hi,
Yes, that’s the one. It’s a kind of silver-y, lavender-y lilac rather than blue though.View attachment 4793

So, Oskar,
It appears some were made with basses Ab to A, others Eb to E.
You may need to search around some more and arrange for a swap??
Amazing asking prices for some of these?

That’s really interesting that there was some variation in the same model. I suppose it was before the layouts were standardised. I don’t think I’ll try and swap, as they don’t seem too common in my part of the world, and getting this one retuned or the reeds replaced anyway.

Oskar,
Here's yet another, different model, the Hohner Imperial iiA, 32 basses (bass, major, minor, seventh) , Eb to E.
Obviously, there's much to choose from and the variety is somewhat overwhelming!?
Good luck!??

Yes, I thought about getting a IIA, but then the II came up first, and I couldn’t resist it. And I think I’ve already used up my good luck quota just by getting this in the first place. If I’m going to find someone local to retune it then I’m going to need as much good luck as possible!

 

[Dingo40]

Oskar,
All good??
Looks very appealing!?