It's Chinese... It's £85... should I?

[knobby]

I've been thinking about a smaller, lighter accordion to play about with, and while looking around this "Studio" accordion came up. I know it's Chinese, and it appears to be LMM (looking at the register switches). At £85/€100/$111 is it worth a punt or would I be as well spending my money on beer and/or motorcycle accessories?

 

[Tom]

Is it new or ???? Could get lucky or . Is it returnable?

 

[knobby]

Is it new or ???? Could get lucky or . Is it returnable?

No, not new and not returnable.

 

[Dingo40]

Is it worth a punt ...?

I simply don't know
Is there someone with experience of this make?
Does it play?
If you do decide to go with it, let's hear how you find it!

 

[colinm]

I usually lose more than £85 on each accordion I buy so I think you are on a winner

 

[Squeezebox Of Delights]

Go for it. They're fine boxes; not brilliant but not as bad as some will have you think. My first accordion was very similar and it's really quite a pleasant instrument.

 

[dunlustin]

Worth a punt.
If you don't get on with it, sell on for £40 and it's still a cheap mishap.

 

[jozz]

looks like one of the older Parrot's
I sold one recently for €150
gave me hours of fun

 

[debra]

Looks like it may be a good deal.
You might need to still spend a lot on beer to tolerate the sound that comes out, but that might not be all bad...

 

[tcabot]

Just rev up your motorcycle engine and then you don't have to spend money on beer to tolerate the accordion sound.

 

[knobby]

I went while I was prevaricating - maybe a good thing!

 

[tcabot]

I mean, it's just an accordion. They are simple things, really. What can possibly go wrong inside!

 

[oldbayan]

Not likely 3 voices! Probably L, M and Master. Many of these buttons are often repeats. Still not a bad deal. You get what you pay for.

 

[murathan]

These probably have very bad bellows response and truly a garbage after 6 months when bought new. Brahner and J Meister are also example brands in that matter. I always recommend Weltmeister Stella 60 bass old models (used). They are cheapest decent accordions you can get for that low price.

 

[tcabot]

These probably have very bad bellows response and truly a garbage after 6 months when bought new.

What do you mean by "bellows response" and how does it degrade in 6 months? Do you mean there's lots of leaks to begin with, that increase in 6 months beyond playability? (in this case either the box or the bellows are literally falling apart). Or do you mean the reeds are not responsive (poor reeds, poor gapping, poor valves, in which case I struggle to see how they can get worse in 6 months, unless the reedblocks are literally falling apart.

If anything, I think the bellows are not too bad quality on these things.

 

[Squeezebox Of Delights]

If anything, I think the bellows are not too bad quality on these things.

I agree; my "Cipelino" is going on 30 years old and it has the best bellows out of all my piano accordions

 

[KiwiSqueezer]

After 85 quid's worth of beer, you wouldn't even remember it, would you? Simple decision...

 

[murathan]

What do you mean by "bellows response" and how does it degrade in 6 months? Do you mean there's lots of leaks to begin with, that increase in 6 months beyond playability? (in this case either the box or the bellows are literally falling apart). Or do you mean the reeds are not responsive (poor reeds, poor gapping, poor valves, in which case I struggle to see how they can get worse in 6 months, unless the reedblocks are literally falling apart.

If anything, I think the bellows are not too bad quality on these things.

I dont know in detail but I had students bought new Brahner accordion. After 6 months we made lessons, every part was jiggling and loose. Bellow response was delayed from the start I dont know where it comes from. It still "works" but totally unsatisfying.

 

[JudyKimp]

Question - are you able to play it to see how it sounds - test it out so to speak? That should tell the tale. I had a friend who had a purple accordion (he liked the color) that was made in China. I picked it up to play - right off I could tell why he used it only for photographs -the sound was terrible. I would use that as a starting point for the decision, if you are able to try it.