Need help first time buyer of keyboard accordions

[Scrumblo]

Hello there,
I am looking for some advice on what to look for when buying a keyboard accordion. I have heard good and bad things about Hohner, so I'm unsure of them. I'm not looking to spend over £900, maybe that's unrealistic I'm not sure.
I'm looking for something that will last me while also being of decent quality, I heard sometimes they need tuned when you get them and I'm not sure I can do that.

Any advice at all is appreciated, as there seems to be so much to the accordion world.

 

[Tom]

Welcome Scrumblo! It's up to you whether you will be happy with your new accordion. Many, many people are happily making the music they love with an accordion worth £900 or less. Not a problem. Other people are never happy, whether they spend £900 or £90,000.

My advice is, if you are unfamiliar with keyboard accordions (which I think you mean what we call "piano accordions") you purchase from a reputable dealer, or with someone you trust. Thing is, it's hard to determine the condition of an accordion, because there are so many delicate parts.

It's important that the accordion sounds, and feels good to YOU. Brand name is not as important as condition, sound and playability. Hohner is a fine brand, but a bad Hohner is worse than a good (fill in the blank) and vice versa.

My final advise: Post here the area you live and ask for reputable dealers in your area. Go there and try out as many accordions as you can, both above and below your price range. Get a feel. Think about it. Go back and buy one. Join the global community of wonderful, contented accordionists. Don't worry, be happy!

 

[Scrumblo]

Welcome Scrumblo! It's up to you whether you will be happy with your new accordion. Many, many people are happily making the music they love with an accordion worth £900 or less. Not a problem. Other people are never happy, whether they spend £900 or £90,000.

My advice is, if you are unfamiliar with keyboard accordions (which I think you mean what we call "piano accordions") you purchase from a reputable dealer, or with someone you trust. Thing is, it's hard to determine the condition of an accordion, because there are so many delicate parts.

It's important that the accordion sounds, and feels good to YOU. Brand name is not as important as condition, sound and playability. Hohner is a fine brand, but a bad Hohner is worse than a good (fill in the blank) and vice versa.

My final advise: Post here the area you live and ask for reputable dealers in your area. Go there and try out as many accordions as you can, both above and below your price range. Get a feel. Think about it. Go back and buy one. Join the global community of wonderful, contented accordionists. Don't worry, be happy!

Thank you very much Tom!

 

[tcabot]

Hi. Just saw this thread.
Have you found your dream box yet?

It shouldn't be too hard to find a serviceable PA in Scotland, so you're in luck.
Have you played before? There's two approaches really. If you're just trying to see if the accordion is for you, you can pick up a basic beginner model and upgrade in a few months if you like the idea of playing a PA. Alternatively, spend a lot right from the start and avoid the need to upgrade in the nearest future.

 

[debra]

If you really want a Hohner the most important thing is to make sure that it is not one of the newer ones that are made in China.
For beginners a somewhat older (but not much over about 40 years old) Verdi II (37/06) or Verdi III (41/120) or Verdi V (4 voice LMMM versus 3 voice LMM on the Verdi III). I'd advise against any Hohner with metal body (such as Atlantic) because they are generally a bit more expensive and actually certainly not better quality and also not better sounding.
There are many doo quality Italian accordions to consider as well. Visit a reputable dealer and buy only a recently serviced and tuned accordion. You are most likely going to regret it when you buy an accordion that has not been tuned properly, because it's not fun to play an accordion you can hear is out of tune.