I have been playing a Hohner Morgane for some 15 years, the varnished finish looks cool but may tend to require re-finishing once in a while! Like anything made of varnished wood.
Natural Wood cased accordions
- Thread starter Mike t.
- Start date
SteveBox
Well-known member
Castagnari has a good reputation for quality accordions. The Magica I have is an older model that they do not make anymore. It is a Magica Studio from 2002, LMM, 4-row CBA and 60 bass. This is a French-style CBA, where 4-rows are popular, and the 60-bass is a French Stradella system. The bass on this model is light, no deep lower reeds, but that works fine for folk music sessions where heavy oom-pahs would sound out of place.
It was a lucky eBay find in 2005 and I got it practically new for under $3K. "Studio" seems to be a word used for lower-end models with Super-Dural reeds, rather than Tipo-a-Mano. That said, it sounds good to me. Many say one can hardly hear the difference in the reeds. Construction is typical Castagnari quality.
Walker
🪗
One of the quirky features of the Saltarelle Cleggan is its 35 keys. The lowest note on the treble keyboard isn't an F, as you'd expect, but a low D. Sure, it may not have many uses, but it can be handy as a treble drone note while playing melodies above. However, unless you're after an MM 'violin' (or should I say 'cello') sounding drone, it's more logical to use the bass buttons for the drone. Still, having both options is a plus. The low D can also be used for interesting double stops. It's also one of the rare moments where D and G cosy up next to each other on a piano keyboard - usually more of a stradella bass 'thing'.
Other things to consider: the Saltarelle Cleggan comes in either 72 or 96 bass. Also, this model is sometimes advertised in shops with TAM reeds and other times with AM reeds. Something worth clarifying!
Saltarelle is a 'brand,' and like Petosa, they don't actually make their own accordions. To me, that gives Castagnari extra authenticity points, as they make what they slap their name on.
Other things to consider: the Saltarelle Cleggan comes in either 72 or 96 bass. Also, this model is sometimes advertised in shops with TAM reeds and other times with AM reeds. Something worth clarifying!
Saltarelle is a 'brand,' and like Petosa, they don't actually make their own accordions. To me, that gives Castagnari extra authenticity points, as they make what they slap their name on.
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ColoRodney
Active member
If you can identify one of the in-stock accordions at Liberty Bellows to try out, they do have a pretty generous return policy. You can order one, have it shipped, and return it within a certain time period if it doesn't suit you. It's not as nice as going there and trying three or four side-by-side, but it's a lot less travel. I'd call and chat first, since you're already an accordionist and likley have questions about different models that they can answer before making your selection. That said, Petosa makes really nice instruments. Some say they're over-priced, but I don't think anyone argues that they're not excellent quality if saving money is not your topmost concern.
utterances
Newbie
I almost ordered the piano version of Magika from a shop in Northern Ireland (might be the same one!) but ended up getting a used Magika CBA on eBay last year, lucky it was in great shape. I can't speak to the risk of shipping it overseas, but the instrument itself is a fine piece of art and smooth as butter to play. The tone is very distinctive from usual PAs, which I love, and I found the MM (swing tuned on mine) voice blends well in old time and Irish settings in my opinion, but definitely a matter of personal taste. good luck!
Mike t.
Active member
I received a Saltarelle Cleggan about two weeks ago from Liberty Bellows, and have been having a ball playing it! Swing tuned like you say. Been playing back-up with my fiddle playing kid along with lead. It’s a blast!
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