Is it Sonola or something completely different?

[Sarah]

Could you tell me whats the brand of this accordion?

It has Sonola caption and also Sonolas logo at bass switch,
but I have never seen Sonola with this type of grill
and this type of treble switches.


What do you think about this accordion?
Is it Sonola or something completely different?






For me, the grill reminds Bell accordions.
For example, look at this one:

 

[JIM D.]

Yes, an early 40's Sonola.
Looks in great shape for the age.

 

[Sarah]

So, the grill and treble switches are original? And it's 100% Sonola?
Do you have any other photos of this model?

 

[JIM D.]

Many Italian firms in the day used that grill design.
Sonola gradually improved in their shift and grill design in the late 40s.to the 50s
The final result in the 60s was --
https://www.google.com/search?q=Son...i=ZmG5Wc38NYrLmwHlgr6QCQ#imgrc=HuZrotDAfDHYtM:

 

[Sarah]

At the similar price as the Sonola I can have this Crucianelli
>

Which one is better choice? (I have no way of checking them personally)

 

[JIM D.]

That Curcianelli (PANcordion ) is a newer box and of superior build.
Also should be a 4/5 reed Semi Pro Model.
They were built like tanks and worth rebuilding for many future owners.
These PANs were used for more than 50+ years by accordionists such as the late Myron Floren and Lawrence Welk and used today by recording artists like Joey Miskulin as here --

<YOUTUBE id=6-NfialUBWA url=></YOUTUBE>

 

[debra]

At the similar price as the Sonola I can have this Crucianelli
...
Which one is better choice? (I have no way of checking them personally)

That crucianelli has a cover design that blocks a lot of the sound.
Its fine for playing by yourself at home, but for a performance it lacks volume and when playing with other accordion players in a band or orchestra its even more obvious you lack volume.
Other than that these old Crucianellis are pretty good instruments. (My first and second accordions were Crucianelli and in our orchestra 40 years ago almost everyone played Crucianelli.