Natural Wood cased accordions
- Thread starter Mike t.
- Start date
When I first started playing accordion I had one of those paddle switched piano accordions....it was always out of tune...I loved in a mobile home at the time (what you guys call trailer trash)... so probably due to damp....anyways I took it to Emilio Allodi and he gave me way over the odds for it quoting that people would want it as Joey M had one on a homespun teaching tape....
I traded it for my first CBA....which was a lovely Fratelli Crosio musette model.....I tried a Titano the same day and didn't go for it as it didn't "sound" like an accordion.....if I knew then what I know now..... would be my perfect machine for today.....
Mike t.
Active member
Thanks! I needed to hear this! I do play ‘Blue Moon of Kentucky’ with that blues 12 chord type bass pattern! I make my own wine, I have even looked into making a copper column reflux still (they are a work of art!) my equatorial sundial works but sometimes I start thinking I would like to have a wrist watch instead!Hi @Mike t. Your antique-styled Petosa with all the Swarovski crystals, the 'wing' edge on the keyboard, the diamond grille design and mother of pearl keys would be a definite 'WIN' in folk styles, especially bluegrass and old-time fiddle music. No issues with that accordion at all! It's not like you're putting on a Jupiter bayan to accompany 'Blue Moon of Kentucky.' I also think our friend @Ventura is spot-on; red pearloid celluloid is a passport into folk music! Personally, I'd not want less than 34 keys & 96 bass, and I'd be happy with 37 keys & 96 bass too. I'm, erm, of 'robust' construction.
As for the portrait... If you want that look that says 'I distil my own moonshine,' then wear a wood accordion.
I really mean this, but I feel loved by the friends I’ve made at the jams I go to and they go out of their way to keep inviting me to other gigs, (they even want to sit next to me!) The wife says the Petosa’s blue sparkles match my eyes! So I will keep one eye open for that elusive red Paolo Soprani but not fret over looking out of place as much! Thanks, Mike t.
OuijaBoard
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I too think that sparkles, decoration, and colors look great on accordions, especially in a folk/roots context! Blue, green, red, violet . . . this is what pearloid is made for!
Alan Polivka
Active member
It stands to reason that adding a layer of celluloid outside the wooden case will add strength. Furthermore, I have had to repair more broken bodies on accordions without celluloid than those with celluloid. Lastly, one of my accordion repair books explicitly states that celluloid adds strength to the case. With that said, as long as you are careful and don't drop the accordion, the case without celluloid should endure.
Mike t.
Active member
My wife says I treat my accordion better than her! She even said I shouldn’t worry about a less durable finish the way I baby the one I got. I’m leaning towards those Petosa little pro series as they are about 3 hour drive north to see them first hand and play one, after the new year.
ColoRodney
Active member
I bought my exposed-wood Petosa Antico back in the 1980s, and I'll admit that the pretty wood finish has opened doors for me with audiences and musicians who did not take the accordion seriously as a folk instrument. Guitars and fiddles are almost always natural wood, so it "looks" like it belongs, where a red celluloid instrument or rhinestones would be garishly out of place. I heard a rumor that Seattle-area contra dance musician Laurie Andres special-ordered a small, wooden accordion (30/48 ) from Petosa, and they decided to add larger wood-finished accordions to their regular line for a while. I bought the 37/96 (see my profile pic), but I've seen a 120 from this series out in the wild as well.
Since then, I've acquired several more wood-look accordions--my Tyrolean III 30/48 (built by Beltuna, which looks like this larger one) is interesting because it has "fake" exposed wood. After celluloid was banned in Italy (I heard it was due to EU regs about not poisoning the workers applying the celluloid, a process that emits toxic fumes), some accordions were designed with a photographic pattern to look like it's made of wood (if you can accept a wood where the grain goes nicely around corners). My most recent acquisition, a Serenellini 30/78-bass Jet, is also quite attractive, and is unvarnished (oil-rubbed) mahogany. As are the lovely small boxes made by Brandoni.
And I agree about wanting a smaller accordion for jam sessions. Even the 37/96 Petosa is a bit daunting in size. I like having a low G so that you can play any fiddle tune (fiddle bottoms out at G). My 30 key piano keyboards are really nice, though sometimes having a high D would be good for ending a waltz in D with an arpeggio up. In fact, Petosa's Little Pro Xt is about the perfect size, IMHO.
Since then, I've acquired several more wood-look accordions--my Tyrolean III 30/48 (built by Beltuna, which looks like this larger one) is interesting because it has "fake" exposed wood. After celluloid was banned in Italy (I heard it was due to EU regs about not poisoning the workers applying the celluloid, a process that emits toxic fumes), some accordions were designed with a photographic pattern to look like it's made of wood (if you can accept a wood where the grain goes nicely around corners). My most recent acquisition, a Serenellini 30/78-bass Jet, is also quite attractive, and is unvarnished (oil-rubbed) mahogany. As are the lovely small boxes made by Brandoni.
And I agree about wanting a smaller accordion for jam sessions. Even the 37/96 Petosa is a bit daunting in size. I like having a low G so that you can play any fiddle tune (fiddle bottoms out at G). My 30 key piano keyboards are really nice, though sometimes having a high D would be good for ending a waltz in D with an arpeggio up. In fact, Petosa's Little Pro Xt is about the perfect size, IMHO.
Mike t.
Active member
So mulling it over this Christmas Eve, I would say the accordion that I’m thinking about (after reading every post I could find)
NEW CASTAGNARI MAGICA 3, 34 KEY 96 BASS 3 VOICE PIANO ACCORDION
Or maybe the Petosa
Little Pro Xt (32/96 LMMM)
The real solid wood beauty of the Castagnari just sort of reeks of folky, old timey fiddle music. It’s problem is I would have to order it sight unseen/heard from a shop in the U.K. and have it shipped. The Petosa is three hours away, still might have to wait for new stock to come in but I could play one first hand. Doesn’t look (I could be wrong) that the Little Pro is solid wood, and just a painted wood-grain look. The upside is it’s probably more durable, comfortable, closer for any repair…. The Castagnari is a thing of beauty! Any thoughts?
Such a strange topic!
It's the music what matters, and if folk don't care for the 'look' of the instrument, then they can go elsewhere.
Another question to consider; would 'shrink wrap' be suitable for those of you whose audiences listen with their eyes?: It works for folk who reckon that their cars/automobiles perform better when all glammed up
It's the music what matters, and if folk don't care for the 'look' of the instrument, then they can go elsewhere.
Another question to consider; would 'shrink wrap' be suitable for those of you whose audiences listen with their eyes?: It works for folk who reckon that their cars/automobiles perform better when all glammed up
Walker
🪗
So mulling it over this Christmas Eve, I would say the accordion that I’m thinking about (after reading every post I could find)
NEW CASTAGNARI MAGICA 3, 34 KEY 96 BASS 3 VOICE PIANO ACCORDION
Or maybe the Petosa
Little Pro Xt (32/96 LMMM)
The real solid wood beauty of the Castagnari just sort of reeks of folky, old timey fiddle music. It’s problem is I would have to order it sight unseen/heard from a shop in the U.K. and have it shipped. The Petosa is three hours away, still might have to wait for new stock to come in but I could play one first hand. Doesn’t look (I could be wrong) that the Little Pro is solid wood, and just a painted wood-grain look. The upside is it’s probably more durable, comfortable, closer for any repair…. The Castagnari is a thing of beauty! Any thoughts?
The Petosa Little Pro Xt is a modern, four-voice, musette-tuned accordion, manufactured by Bugari, one of biggest factories in Castelfidardo. It has a striking and contemporary design that is 'sympathetic' to folk styles, among other genres. It boasts a high specification, lots of mahogany and very fancy reeds.
The Castagnari Magica 3 is a three-voice, LMM-configured folk accordion, built by a small team of artisans based in Recanati, Italy. It is an out-and-out folk instrument crafted in cherry wood by specialists in 'organetti' - diatonic folk accordions. To put it another way; it's the melodeon maker's piano accordion.
The Castagnari Magica 3 is a three-voice, LMM-configured folk accordion, built by a small team of artisans based in Recanati, Italy. It is an out-and-out folk instrument crafted in cherry wood by specialists in 'organetti' - diatonic folk accordions. To put it another way; it's the melodeon maker's piano accordion.
Mike t.
Active member
I was fabricating conveyors years ago and a shop helper painted them with a roller brush. When it was finished, they were worth, guessing $20,000 when sold. The same time our shop truck had paint peeling off a I said, roll some paint on it. Everyone was mortified I would suggest doing that to (at that time $6000. Truck) So the looks mean lot even though it was just a truck just to haul steel. (The horn sounded fine!)Such a strange topic!
It's the music what matters, and if folk don't care for the 'look' of the instrument, then they can go elsewhere.
Another question to consider; would 'shrink wrap' be suitable for those of you whose audiences listen with their eyes?: It works for folk who reckon that their cars/automobiles perform better when all glammed up
You are correct, Old Willy Nelson and his guitar (Trigger 69’ Martin, nylon strings) maybe don’t look all that good but….
pitzelberger
Member
I am also dreaming of owning a Magica. Unfortunately I have never seen a used one being offered and I am (currently) not willing to pay the price of a new one.
While it certainly goes well for folksy tunes, it also can be used for other styles, e.g. I love the music of Marc Berthoumiuex and the sound of his Magica
While it certainly goes well for folksy tunes, it also can be used for other styles, e.g. I love the music of Marc Berthoumiuex and the sound of his Magica
What an incomprehensibly odd viewpoint. It is a well established fact that cars with a fresh wax job run better.
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SteveBox
Well-known member
The Saltarelle PAs have not been mentioned. The Saltarelle Clifden and Saltarelle Cleggan are popular with folk musicians. They also have a special model, the Impulse, created for Nathan Carter.
Here is a review of the Clifden.
Here is a review of the Clifden.
I had a Saltarelle Borouche which was a super sounding instrument so I'd recommend them too. I had to sell it unfortunately as it only had chord buttons in LH and I wanted to play freebass, especially for folky.
Mike t.
Active member
I would choose it also! I wonder which would be easier to ship to the states? Would you order from a shop in the U.K. to get one coming? Is there a great shop to deal with? Do I message the factory? I would like a reputable shop to inspect the accordion from the factory and say it’s flawless accept payment and ship it. I don’t see any shops in the states except a few glimpses from old posts of used ones. For me it was a coin toss of brands Saltarelle Cleggan or Castagnari Magica 3. The Castagnari has a few more bass buttons at 96. I see Saltarelle also has a 96 bass now.
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ColoRodney
Active member
You shouldn’t have to go to a UK shop for a Saltarelle—Liberty Bellows in Philly stocks them (though most of theirs are button boxes). Since they’ve also got the Brandoni and Serenellini instruments, go out there and spend a day playing them (and compare those natural wood accordions to others in basic black).
Mike t.
Active member
If I flew not too bad… 43 hours too drive, middle of winter, that makes test driving a Petosa easier.
ColoRodney
Active member
Yeah, I cashed in a bunch of points on United.
Mike t.
Active member
So… I see your picture has a button version of the Castagnari Magica 3 LMM-configured folk accordion. What are your views of the make? Great? Okay? Craftsmanship? Ever have any issues? I’ve seen the inside of my Petosa and it is very neat, clean.
The Saltarelle Cleggan with 96 bass or the Castagnari both have great reviews, real wood, you look like yours?
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