Can anyone recommend a non cassotto accordion for playing jazz, double cassotto is too heavy and I must have full size keys.
Non cassotto accordion for playing jazz
- Thread starter colinm
- Start date
One of the older Scandalli Brevetto models. The newer ones- to me at least- are not quite as nice; a thinner tone (again, according to my ears).
The mutes work well to give it a nice mellow tone, they are lightweight for their features/sound, and in most cases the mussette for the two M reed banks is pretty mild. A full on mussette doesn't- for me- go with most jazz. With the mutes open they are perfectly acceptable for whatever you might throw at them. The VanDamme Excelsior types are indeed nice instruments but they tend to be pretty heavy.
Older instruments- you'd have to look around and play each individual instrument to ensure you're OK with the condition.
While a good one is going to cost like a good accordion- they are apt to be substantially thriftier than a new (or newer) model.
The mutes work well to give it a nice mellow tone, they are lightweight for their features/sound, and in most cases the mussette for the two M reed banks is pretty mild. A full on mussette doesn't- for me- go with most jazz. With the mutes open they are perfectly acceptable for whatever you might throw at them. The VanDamme Excelsior types are indeed nice instruments but they tend to be pretty heavy.
Older instruments- you'd have to look around and play each individual instrument to ensure you're OK with the condition.
While a good one is going to cost like a good accordion- they are apt to be substantially thriftier than a new (or newer) model.
John
Thanks , I wondered about that model but have never heard one. I will have a look for one
Thanks , I wondered about that model but have never heard one. I will have a look for one
Ventura
Been here for ages!
.
Dingo40
Been here for ages!
Dingo, Thanks for that, I think they weigh nearly 12 kg, which is too much, however I could fill the grille in on any straight tuned instrument to get a similar effect.
Well, its certainly not jazz, but a 50 year old 41/120, 4/4 Scandalli Brevette sounds like this:
The solution can be found here: "poor man's cassotto"
Take any accordion you find acceptable in terms of size and weight and then built what's shown in that post.
It takes you close to the sound of cassotto without the bulk and weight.
Take any accordion you find acceptable in terms of size and weight and then built what's shown in that post.
It takes you close to the sound of cassotto without the bulk and weight.
Dingo40
Been here for ages!
Gypsy Jazz(
) and Scandalli Polifonico 
) and Scandalli Polifonico 
Walker
🪗
I'm not keen on rattling off a list of the usual diminutive accordion suspects that jazz maestros squeeze their tunes out of - like Sonola or Excelsior etc. Jazz-accordion? I usually sidestep it. But the quest for a non-cassotto marvel? Now that tickles my fancy. If you're in the market for an accordion with a standout tone, you've got to dive into the art of instrument selection. Sure, any Joe can snag a so-so cassotto accordion that sounds pretty decent—cassotto's like audio makeup, it beautifies even the homeliest of accordions. But stumbling upon a non-cassotto with a tone that's pure magic? That's a little bit special!
Now, let's talk specs. What are you after in an accordion? The number of keys and buttons? The voices? A classic celluloid or a natural wood finish? Spill the beans, and maybe, just maybe, someone will unearth a gem that's not your run-of-the-mill squeezebox.
Now, let's talk specs. What are you after in an accordion? The number of keys and buttons? The voices? A classic celluloid or a natural wood finish? Spill the beans, and maybe, just maybe, someone will unearth a gem that's not your run-of-the-mill squeezebox.
Ventura
Been here for ages!
and that is why God made Sonola Strollers
while you can play Jazz on anything, it will only be pleasing
to YOU if you do it on a lesser accordion, and that's ok,
but true professional Strollers, aside from being slimmer
lighter strollable, are also typically higher level key action
and other subtle professional elements that are assets when
playing jazz (beyond the tonal benefit of the cassotto and top
shelf well tempered well set-up reeds)
there were a few others who made pro Jazz boxes too, like the
Tonaveri Ranger, or the Titano Stroller
some pale imitation with a funny cardboard thing stuffing it up
or an accordion that is inspiring to pick up and play ?
Nu Elck Syn Sin
Heck- Don Cherry (who as it happens I am not a big fan of) played a plastic pocket trumpet.
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I once had a lady-size 41/120 3/4 reed "Contello" accordion that had leather valves, likely tipo a mano reeds and a very lyric M register (there's the rub: the L register was not that hot on its own). No cassotto, comparatively light, only 5 registers (L a bit ænemic, M dreamy, H comparatively pointless as a standalone register, LH a reasonable tango register, LMH a very punchy sound almost like rock guitar). If the range and volume (on the more decent side) would be ok, that M register would have been a good fit. The bass side was nothing to write home about but for ensemble play you would not use it.
So in a gist: look around and play things. Sometimes there are small accordions that are surprisingly good in some respects. I think Contello was some artificial brand for some smaller instruments imported from Italy to the U.S. Could be that you find something like that for sale, and then listening for sound samples might be worth a try.
So in a gist: look around and play things. Sometimes there are small accordions that are surprisingly good in some respects. I think Contello was some artificial brand for some smaller instruments imported from Italy to the U.S. Could be that you find something like that for sale, and then listening for sound samples might be worth a try.
It must have full size keys because I do not have slender fingers.
Less than 10 kg or close to. Getting a bad right shoulder.
37/96 or 41/120. I can manage with 37/96 but I am told that larger accordions sound more mellow.
Prefer LM , lighter weight.
Celluloid is ok, sounds good to me.
Bass end can be four reeds for minimum weight.
Budget £2500 max.
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Ventura
Been here for ages!
oh that doesn't look half bad
Walker
🪗
Well Colin, I was thinking that you might like the cut of this Manfrini's jib...
Accordion Centre Birmingham - our accordions for sale
Browse our range of accordions, melodeons and concertinas for sale. We also stock a range of accordion accessories.
accordioncentre.com
It's non-cassotto, it's out-and-out Jazz tuned... it's LLMM (LL voice is something a bit special) and it has a mano reeds!
As for the price, it's good to talk...
I am not all that convinced that this is mandatory. Things are a lot more cramped on a CBA and people with non-tiny fingers still manage to make do there. I'd give whatever sounds right a serious try. Your weight requirements would otherwise rule out a lot of possibly suitable candidates.
