I recently worked some of these up for various holiday gatherings, tree lightings, pub sings etc. .Happy Holidays everyone!
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SteveBox
Well-known member
Chauncey,
Is your Castagnari Handry 24 7/R configured as a CBA or a diatonic? I presume CBA, since that is what you play, although they only advertise this as a diatonic in their catalog.
Is your Castagnari Handry 24 7/R configured as a CBA or a diatonic? I presume CBA, since that is what you play, although they only advertise this as a diatonic in their catalog.
Yes, It is CBA. I custom ordered it from Castagnari back in April as a backup as I was paranoid about potentially being idled for months if something were to happen to my other folk box (theft, damage, needed tuning or other maintenance). It is the same layout but a pound or two heavier and slightly larger than the Serafini to accommodate the added reeds and register combinations. It arrived in October so I’m still breaking it in, but love it so far.
SteveBox
Well-known member
Did you order direct from Castagnari, or go through a dealer? How does it compare to the Darwin II in sound and build quality? Did you consider the Serafini Darwin III?
Both the Handry and the Serafini Darwins are designed to be three-row diatonic accordions and have a 11-12-11 button configuration. This is 34 buttons, more than enough for a diatonic. However, an accordion designed to be a small three-row CBA would normally come with a 12-13-12 button configuration to give you three full octaves. My Loffet was designed to be a CBA and has a 12-12-12 button configuration. It is one note short on the middle row, as they could not fit that 37th button into the same case size they use for their diatonic models.
Do you find having only 34 notes to be a limitation? I would guess it is not for most folk music, but it is a consideration when contemplating having a three-row diatonic model reconfigured to be a CBA.
What is the pitch range of your Handry and Darwin? I would guess it is probably G3 - E6. A small CBA would typically be configured as G3-G6 or E3-E6.
Both the Handry and the Serafini Darwins are designed to be three-row diatonic accordions and have a 11-12-11 button configuration. This is 34 buttons, more than enough for a diatonic. However, an accordion designed to be a small three-row CBA would normally come with a 12-13-12 button configuration to give you three full octaves. My Loffet was designed to be a CBA and has a 12-12-12 button configuration. It is one note short on the middle row, as they could not fit that 37th button into the same case size they use for their diatonic models.
Do you find having only 34 notes to be a limitation? I would guess it is not for most folk music, but it is a consideration when contemplating having a three-row diatonic model reconfigured to be a CBA.
What is the pitch range of your Handry and Darwin? I would guess it is probably G3 - E6. A small CBA would typically be configured as G3-G6 or E3-E6.
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SteveBox
Well-known member
I am going to reply to my own post... I just realized that the current Castagnari Magica K2/K3 accordions have the 11-12-11 button configuration for the first three rows giving a 34 note range (G3-E6). I have an earlier Magica made in 2002, and it has the 12-13-12 button configuration for 37 notes (G3-G6, see profile photo). How interesting! I guess I was wrong to assume that a button accordion designed to be a small CBA will have at least 37 notes. I presume Castagnari recognized that there is little need for those three extra high notes for the folk musician likely to buy these, so they could downsize and lighten their small CBA models. That is, if you are satisfied with the G3 low note.
Sorry--meant to reply to you earlier! I did work directly with Castagnari. I ordered it back in late April and received it mid-October (they take a month off in Italy, which is very civilized). Build quality is excellent - the Serafini is also well built, but seems "slight" in comparison--less dense, but that also makes it more nimble. The reed quality on both are great, but the Castagnari might have slightly more usable range in the upper end, where it is pleasing (i.e. not shrill) all the way up on the M reeds and LMM.
As for the range, If you've seen some of my posts or my channels you'll know that I play folk (Irish Trad, Flemish, English, Breton) as well as an insanely diverse set of repertoire not commonly associated with the accordion--Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, Bjork, Bowie, Kraftwerk, Steely Dan, Velvet Underground, Smashing Pumpkins, Aphex Twin, Nick Drake, Stereolab., Beatles, Amy Winehouse to mention a few. I haven't felt constrained by either box, so 11-12-11 seems to work for me. Certain tunes do need a little forethought as to where I want to start them (or transpose).
When asked which box I prefer, my honest answer is "the one I'm currently playing"as each one is a world of endless inspiration in less than cubic foot. The Serafini is more minimalist and quick/agile which lends itself quick changes in direction, rhythmic flourishes, while the Handry excels at longer drones, phrases. and has a slightly deeper, richer sound. I can't speak for anyone else, but they both seem to hit the perfect sweet spot of size, range and reed combinations that work for me...zero box envy/lust at all.
As for the range, If you've seen some of my posts or my channels you'll know that I play folk (Irish Trad, Flemish, English, Breton) as well as an insanely diverse set of repertoire not commonly associated with the accordion--Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, Bjork, Bowie, Kraftwerk, Steely Dan, Velvet Underground, Smashing Pumpkins, Aphex Twin, Nick Drake, Stereolab., Beatles, Amy Winehouse to mention a few. I haven't felt constrained by either box, so 11-12-11 seems to work for me. Certain tunes do need a little forethought as to where I want to start them (or transpose).
When asked which box I prefer, my honest answer is "the one I'm currently playing"as each one is a world of endless inspiration in less than cubic foot. The Serafini is more minimalist and quick/agile which lends itself quick changes in direction, rhythmic flourishes, while the Handry excels at longer drones, phrases. and has a slightly deeper, richer sound. I can't speak for anyone else, but they both seem to hit the perfect sweet spot of size, range and reed combinations that work for me...zero box envy/lust at all.
