Information on Vintage Accorgan Accordion
- Thread starter mcalhany
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There isn't much to see in this extremely small picture. It could be 3 voice LMM, but even that isn't really visible on the registers.
This could be a nice accordion for your son but it could also be a piece of junk. We cannot say much about it because we cannot see much, let alone hear something...
This could be a nice accordion for your son but it could also be a piece of junk. We cannot say much about it because we cannot see much, let alone hear something...
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You have a late 60's early 70's vintage Iorio Accorgan also marketed as an Elkavox. Early Accorgan models were self contained
one piece units -- yours is a later 2 piece accordion & separate tone generator model. With these older accorgans there is some
good and bad news. The bad news is of the electronics, the accordion itself only contains trigger contacts that rarely failed
but the electronics in the tone generators have by now reached the end of their lifespan and to refurbish them will outweigh
their value. There is some good news however as these accordions (without tone generator) will convert easily to fine acoustic
accordions. Your accordion itself started as an "Iorio Two Star Model" accordion. These two star models had 5 treble shifts
that in 90% of models had 3 sets of treble reeds LMM. 10% were marked in the US as a 5 shift LMH as at the time some buyers
preferred a "Dry Tuning". Can't tell from your pic' but it may indeed be a LMM. There were 4 sets of reeds in the bass.
These "Two Star Models" had switches installed under the treble keyboard & bass machine to trigger the separate
tone generator. They could be ordered with 18" or 19" keyboards.
The accordions had a fine set of crystal treble & bass mic's that can easily be connected to a 1/4" grill mounted jack.
When converted to an acoustic the trigger switches need not be removed as they only weigh a few ounces.
These 60's era Iorio accordions of all models had quality machine made reeds and fine build. they are easily refurbished
and result in a fine acoustic that should with care last another half a century.
Just enlarged your picture -- you have a LMM !! The accordion itself looks low mileage.
one piece units -- yours is a later 2 piece accordion & separate tone generator model. With these older accorgans there is some
good and bad news. The bad news is of the electronics, the accordion itself only contains trigger contacts that rarely failed
but the electronics in the tone generators have by now reached the end of their lifespan and to refurbish them will outweigh
their value. There is some good news however as these accordions (without tone generator) will convert easily to fine acoustic
accordions. Your accordion itself started as an "Iorio Two Star Model" accordion. These two star models had 5 treble shifts
that in 90% of models had 3 sets of treble reeds LMM. 10% were marked in the US as a 5 shift LMH as at the time some buyers
preferred a "Dry Tuning". Can't tell from your pic' but it may indeed be a LMM. There were 4 sets of reeds in the bass.
These "Two Star Models" had switches installed under the treble keyboard & bass machine to trigger the separate
tone generator. They could be ordered with 18" or 19" keyboards.
The accordions had a fine set of crystal treble & bass mic's that can easily be connected to a 1/4" grill mounted jack.
When converted to an acoustic the trigger switches need not be removed as they only weigh a few ounces.
These 60's era Iorio accordions of all models had quality machine made reeds and fine build. they are easily refurbished
and result in a fine acoustic that should with care last another half a century.
Just enlarged your picture -- you have a LMM !! The accordion itself looks low mileage.
Last edited:
mcalhany
Newbie
Thank you both so much for taking the time to respond. Jim, I appreciate all of the information, as it is so interesting to know the history of the accordion. It came from an estate sale (paid $175) and seems to still have a beautiful sound.
Gonk
http://mudlark-music.com
Just want to add that based on the register switches it appears to be an LM.
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