Old Accordion

[mikekammel]

well the front grill is cowl shaped meaning the sides curve around,
while late 40's early 50's seem to be more often the lay-on essentially
flat type that have separate "sides" they screw onto

there is obvious damage to the bellows, lifted corners, looks
like mold/rot as opposed to dryness as the cause

it does have mics and that suggests it was intended as more than merely
a student model (suggesting better quality options may have been ordered)

Silvio was Scandalli's first name, so it is kind of a joke i believe
in that at first Settimo Soprani was still independant and just using
the Scandalli factory overnight as a kindness extended to them
after their Castlifidardo factory was torched/destroyed/burnt to the ground

eventually there was a merger some say or an absorption perhaps more accurately
of Settimo Soprani into the Scandalli organization so they were run by
the same people etc. which is when this line appeared (mostly in plain black) as
Silvio Soprani as opposed to Settimo Soprani for the nameplate and i imagine this
was the equivalent of the "hand slapping the arm with the fist flying into the air"
sort of message often directed at Paolo Soprani' office windows as the Settimo workers walked
past the Paolo factory on their way home after a long shift..

Settimo was still named on the fancy models like the Contino and the
Settimo Soprani version of the Super 6 (which by the way there is one available
in the Wash DC region that needs re-furbishing)

I have been doing more research online and through my dad and his sister about this instrument. It appears it was indeed built in the 1950's. It also is likely a learner or beginners instrument, as it only has 2 paddles. Someone linked me to a website that featured pictures of old ads for accordions, I believe the ads were from the '50's or '60's. My accordion appears to match exactly with the picture of an accordion featured in an ad. Same two paddles, same type of finish, same design on the bellows. That accordion was also a Silvio Soprani, and the model was called a Serenador, and it was advertised for around $350 at that time, I believe. My aunt, (dad's sister) told me that this accordion was my grandpa's second accordion. She doesn't know what happened to the first one. This makes alot of sense, as a couple people have told me it is likely this instrument was made in the early '50's. My dad and her remember grandpa playing in the late '30's and early '40's, so obviously it was not this accordion but a different one. I am going to search through some old pictures, I know there are a couple of my grandpa playing way back then. Hopefully they are clear enough to get a look at the instrument he is playing. Neither my dad or aunt can remember if grandpa's dad also played accordion, or how grandpa got started playing. They both say he was self taught, but someone must have piqued his interest. Sadly, anyone with that kind of information has passed away. The area of Wisconsin where he settled and started farming also had many other German and Bohemian settlers who farmed. It is likely that's how my grandpa got interested in the accordion. My aunt does remember their German neighbors playing their instruments in the evenings. Sound carries a long way in the hills and valleys around here!

Thanks for all your help and information. From it I have gotten several other leads and threads to follow. This is a very interesting journey, and it continues onward. By the way, I have found 1 or 2 local musician/repairmen who are going to evaluate my instrument. Thanks much!! I will continue to update as I find more information.

 

[mikekammel]

Welcome to the forum. Our friend Paul is absolutely correct about this accordion. Just like anything else, old instruments can need more repair than they are worth and many people assume that just because something is old it has a high value. Think of this like an early 1960's auto equivalent to a basic Ford Falcon that sat in the yard behind the garage, it may be repaired but the cost would exceed the value of the vehicle which was never an expensive vehicle.

It's truly unfortunate that your aunt had stored this in a basement for so many years because it's evident that humidity has caused a lot of damage. You might want to clean up the outside of your accordion for display and then invest the several hundred dollars into purchasing a playable accordion for your son and honor the memory of your grandfather in this way since the best compliment would be to carry on his legacy.

I have been doing more research online and through my dad and his sister about this instrument. It appears it was indeed built in the 1950's. It also is likely a learner or beginners instrument, as it only has 2 paddles. Someone linked me to a website that featured pictures of old ads for accordions, I believe the ads were from the '50's or '60's. My accordion appears to match exactly with the picture of an accordion featured in an ad. Same two paddles, same type of finish, same design on the bellows. That accordion was also a Silvio Soprani, and the model was called a Serenador, and it was advertised for around $350 at that time, I believe. My aunt, (dad's sister) told me that this accordion was my grandpa's second accordion. She doesn't know what happened to the first one. This makes alot of sense, as a couple people have told me it is likely this instrument was made in the early '50's. My dad and her remember grandpa playing in the late '30's and early '40's, so obviously it was not this accordion but a different one. I am going to search through some old pictures, I know there are a couple of my grandpa playing way back then. Hopefully they are clear enough to get a look at the instrument he is playing. Neither my dad or aunt can remember if grandpa's dad also played accordion, or how grandpa got started playing. They both say he was self taught, but someone must have piqued his interest. Sadly, anyone with that kind of information has passed away. The area of Wisconsin where he settled and started farming also had many other German and Bohemian settlers who farmed. It is likely that's how my grandpa got interested in the accordion. My aunt does remember their German neighbors playing their instruments in the evenings. Sound carries a long way in the hills and valleys around here!

Thanks for all your help and information. From it I have gotten several other leads and threads to follow. This is a very interesting journey, and it continues onward. By the way, I have found 1 or 2 local musician/repairmen who are going to evaluate my instrument. Thanks much!! I will continue to update as I find more information.

 

[mikekammel]

This is the "sentimental value" I meant, which makes it worth restoring the accordion even though this will likely cost more than the economic value of the accordion. I hope you can find a local accordion repairer who is willing to take on this job. In Europe we have a TV show "The Repair Shop" which would be ideal for exactly this situation (difficult repairs of family heirlooms). These are typically repair jobs that many repairers refuse because "they make no sense", but that is speaking economic value, not sentimental value.
I wish you a lot of luck in finding a craftsman (or -woman) to bring your family heirloom back to life!

I have been doing more research online and through my dad and his sister about this instrument. It appears it was indeed built in the 1950's. It also is likely a learner or beginners instrument, as it only has 2 paddles. Someone linked me to a website that featured pictures of old ads for accordions, I believe the ads were from the '50's or '60's. My accordion appears to match exactly with the picture of an accordion featured in an ad. Same two paddles, same type of finish, same design on the bellows. That accordion was also a Silvio Soprani, and the model was called a Serenador, and it was advertised for around $350 at that time, I believe. My aunt, (dad's sister) told me that this accordion was my grandpa's second accordion. She doesn't know what happened to the first one. This makes alot of sense, as a couple people have told me it is likely this instrument was made in the early '50's. My dad and her remember grandpa playing in the late '30's and early '40's, so obviously it was not this accordion but a different one. I am going to search through some old pictures, I know there are a couple of my grandpa playing way back then. Hopefully they are clear enough to get a look at the instrument he is playing. Neither my dad or aunt can remember if grandpa's dad also played accordion, or how grandpa got started playing. They both say he was self taught, but someone must have piqued his interest. Sadly, anyone with that kind of information has passed away. The area of Wisconsin where he settled and started farming also had many other German and Bohemian settlers who farmed. It is likely that's how my grandpa got interested in the accordion. My aunt does remember their German neighbors playing their instruments in the evenings. Sound carries a long way in the hills and valleys around here!

Thanks for all your help and information. From it I have gotten several other leads and threads to follow. This is a very interesting journey, and it continues onward. By the way, I have found 1 or 2 local musician/repairmen who are going to evaluate my instrument. Thanks much!! I will continue to update as I find more information.

 

[mikekammel]

Hello everyone!! I have found some old photos of my grandpa playing his first accordion! Hopefully the experts on this forum will be able to identify the brands and possible year of manufacture? I am working on trying to find out the dates of the photos. The first and last photos appear to be the same instrument. The 3rd one is his Silvio Soprani Serenador. The name Century you can see on the 2nd photo. I would also venture to guess that the first picture was probably taken in the late 1930's. Thanks again to everyone for your help!!

 

[Ben-jammin]

Hello everyone!! I have found some old photos of my grandpa playing his first accordion! Hopefully the experts on this forum will be able to identify the brands and possible year of manufacture? I am working on trying to find out the dates of the photos. The first and last photos appear to be the same instrument. The 3rd one is his Silvio Soprani Serenador. The name Century you can see on the 2nd photo. I would also venture to guess that the first picture was probably taken in the late 1930's. Thanks again to everyone for your help!!

The prewar instrument looks like a Scandalli. This is the company that ultimately merged with Setimio Soprani and if I understand correctly the merged company would have made the Silvio Soprani models. Scandalli made some very well respected professional grade instruments as well as more modest instruments for student and intermediate level players.

 

[mikekammel]

The prewar instrument looks like a Scandalli. This is the company that ultimately merged with Setimio Soprani and if I understand correctly the merged company would have made the Silvio Soprani models. Scandalli made some very well respected professional grade instruments as well as more modest instruments for student and intermediate level players.

I think you are correct. When I magnify the photo, it looks like the name of Scandalli appears on the top of the accordion above the keys.

 

[Ben-jammin]

There’s a similar vintage 120 bass version on Etsy that’s with some obvious condition issues. https://www.etsy.com/listing/134391...gnm8p-R-eex1cn8TfQYWTVHckDOXDQJxoCyVcQAvD_BwE

 

[mikekammel]

There’s a similar vintage 120 bass version on Etsy that’s with some obvious condition issues. https://www.etsy.com/listing/134391...gnm8p-R-eex1cn8TfQYWTVHckDOXDQJxoCyVcQAvD_BwE

They look identical, near as I am able to tell! Thanks so much!

 

[mikekammel]

Thanks so much! I checked out their Facebook page and sent an email to the address that was listed. I hope to hear from them!

Thanks for the information, Tom! I contacted Ron and Heidi, and went to listen to them play one evening about a month ago. And Ron has just finished refurbishing my accordion! He said for an accordion that is nearly 80 years old, it is in pretty good shape. I just picked it up a couple days ago, and I he was gracious enough to play a song for me, bringing back memories of my grandpa! Now it is going to my son, who is interested in learning how to play it. He is a music teacher, so he already knows how to keyboard. Thanks again!!

 

[mikekammel]

Thanks to everyone who posted information and advice on me about my grandpa's accordion. I just got it back from a local accordion repair guy, and it sounds great! He said for an instrument nearly 80 years old, it was in pretty good shape. But of course needed work, especially with the keys and some bellows leaks. I appreciate all the wisdom and assistance! One more question, especially to those of you familiar with Silvio Scandalli accordions. My model is a Serenador, and the serial number is 5139. I would like to find out the exact year it was manufactured. I have searched all I could on the internet, but haven't had much luck. Do any of you guys have connections, or maybe knowledge of websites where I could find this information? As I said earlier, thanks for all the advice, information and knowledge you have shared with me so far. My machine looks and sounds great, and is a wonderful family heirloom to pass down to my son.

Mike

 

[mikekammel]

The 5139 number plate on the bass end is probably not a serial number but a model number. Serial numbers are normally typed or stamped on an instrument. Some makers choose an external location and some an internal one. The 5139 badge looks like a cast or stamped plastic item which means that if was a serial number then possibly hundreds (maybe thousands) of different casts or stamps would have been required. This is unlikely and as suggested earlier 5139 is more likely to be a model number.
Having said that, Mike, your accordion, with its fabulous family connection, would seem to be prime candidate for restoration, in the face of all the uneconomic arguments against it.

Thanks to everyone who posted information and advice on me about my grandpa's accordion. I just got it back from a local accordion repair guy, and it sounds great! He said for an instrument nearly 80 years old, it was in pretty good shape. But of course needed work, especially with the keys and some bellows leaks. I appreciate all the wisdom and assistance! One more question, especially to those of you familiar with Silvio Scandalli accordions. My model is a Serenador, and the serial number is 5139. I would like to find out the exact year it was manufactured. I have searched all I could on the internet, but haven't had much luck. Do any of you guys have connections, or maybe knowledge of websites where I could find this information? As I said earlier, thanks for all the advice, information and knowledge you have shared with me so far. My machine looks and sounds great, and is a wonderful family heirloom to pass down to my son.

Mike

 

[mikekammel]

This is the "sentimental value" I meant, which makes it worth restoring the accordion even though this will likely cost more than the economic value of the accordion. I hope you can find a local accordion repairer who is willing to take on this job. In Europe we have a TV show "The Repair Shop" which would be ideal for exactly this situation (difficult repairs of family heirlooms). These are typically repair jobs that many repairers refuse because "they make no sense", but that is speaking economic value, not sentimental value.
I wish you a lot of luck in finding a craftsman (or -woman) to bring your family heirloom back to life!

Thanks to everyone who posted information and advice on me about my grandpa's accordion. I just got it back from a local accordion repair guy, and it sounds great! He said for an instrument nearly 80 years old, it was in pretty good shape. But of course needed work, especially with the keys and some bellows leaks. I appreciate all the wisdom and assistance! One more question, especially to those of you familiar with Silvio Scandalli accordions. My model is a Serenador, and the serial number is 5139. I would like to find out the exact year it was manufactured. I have searched all I could on the internet, but haven't had much luck. Do any of you guys have connections, or maybe knowledge of websites where I could find this information? As I said earlier, thanks for all the advice, information and knowledge you have shared with me so far. My machine looks and sounds great, and is a wonderful family heirloom to pass down to my son.

Mike

 

[mikekammel]

well the front grill is cowl shaped meaning the sides curve around,
while late 40's early 50's seem to be more often the lay-on essentially
flat type that have separate "sides" they screw onto

there is obvious damage to the bellows, lifted corners, looks
like mold/rot as opposed to dryness as the cause

it does have mics and that suggests it was intended as more than merely
a student model (suggesting better quality options may have been ordered)

Silvio was Scandalli's first name, so it is kind of a joke i believe
in that at first Settimo Soprani was still independant and just using
the Scandalli factory overnight as a kindness extended to them
after their Castlifidardo factory was torched/destroyed/burnt to the ground

eventually there was a merger some say or an absorption perhaps more accurately
of Settimo Soprani into the Scandalli organization so they were run by
the same people etc. which is when this line appeared (mostly in plain black) as
Silvio Soprani as opposed to Settimo Soprani for the nameplate and i imagine this
was the equivalent of the "hand slapping the arm with the fist flying into the air"
sort of message often directed at Paolo Soprani' office windows as the Settimo workers walked
past the Paolo factory on their way home after a long shift..

Settimo was still named on the fancy models like the Contino and the
Settimo Soprani version of the Super 6 (which by the way there is one available
in the Wash DC region that needs re-furbishing)

Thanks to everyone who posted information and advice on me about my grandpa's accordion. I just got it back from a local accordion repair guy, and it sounds great! He said for an instrument nearly 80 years old, it was in pretty good shape. But of course needed work, especially with the keys and some bellows leaks. I appreciate all the wisdom and assistance! One more question, especially to those of you familiar with Silvio Scandalli accordions. My model is a Serenador, and the serial number is 5139. I would like to find out the exact year it was manufactured. I have searched all I could on the internet, but haven't had much luck. Do any of you guys have connections, or maybe knowledge of websites where I could find this information? As I said earlier, thanks for all the advice, information and knowledge you have shared with me so far. My machine looks and sounds great, and is a wonderful family heirloom to pass down to my son.

Mike

 

[Tom]

Thanks for the information, Tom! I contacted Ron and Heidi, and went to listen to them play one evening about a month ago. And Ron has just finished refurbishing my accordion! He said for an accordion that is nearly 80 years old, it is in pretty good shape. I just picked it up a couple days ago, and I he was gracious enough to play a song for me, bringing back memories of my grandpa! Now it is going to my son, who is interested in learning how to play it. He is a music teacher, so he already knows how to keyboard. Thanks again!!

Cool! Thanks for the stories, and for the info. Glad to hear Ron and Heidi are still playing. I don’t know about your accordion but maybe it was played by Syl Liebl.

 

[mikekammel]

Cool! Thanks for the stories, and for the info. Glad to hear Ron and Heidi are still playing. I don’t know about your accordion but maybe it was played by Syl Liebl.

Syl Liebl Jr. married my aunt Marce. He played in Syl Seniors band, the Jolly Swiss Boys. But Junior was a trumpet player!

 

[mikekammel]

Thanks to everyone who posted information and advice on me about my grandpa's accordion. I just got it back from a local accordion repair guy, and it sounds great! He said for an instrument nearly 80 years old, it was in pretty good shape. But of course needed work, especially with the keys and some bellows leaks. I appreciate all the wisdom and assistance! One more question, especially to those of you familiar with Silvio Scandalli accordions. My model is a Serenador, and the serial number is 5139. I would like to find out the exact year it was manufactured. I have searched all I could on the internet, but haven't had much luck. Do any of you guys have connections, or maybe knowledge of websites where I could find this information? As I said earlier, thanks for all the advice, information and knowledge you have shared with me so far. My machine looks and sounds great, and is a wonderful family heirloom to pass down to my son.

Mike

Sorry, I should have said Silvio Soprani!! Mea culpa!!

 

[mikekammel]

Thanks to everyone who posted information and advice on me about my grandpa's accordion. I just got it back from a local accordion repair guy, and it sounds great! He said for an instrument nearly 80 years old, it was in pretty good shape. But of course needed work, especially with the keys and some bellows leaks. I appreciate all the wisdom and assistance! One more question, especially to those of you familiar with Silvio Scandalli accordions. My model is a Serenador, and the serial number is 5139. I would like to find out the exact year it was manufactured. I have searched all I could on the internet, but haven't had much luck. Do any of you guys have connections, or maybe knowledge of websites where I could find this information? As I said earlier, thanks for all the advice, information and knowledge you have shared with me so far. My machine looks and sounds great, and is a wonderful family heirloom to pass down to my son.

Mike

Sorry!! I should have said Silvio Soprani!! Mea culpa!!

 

[mikekammel]

Thanks to everyone who posted information and advice on me about my grandpa's accordion. I just got it back from a local accordion repair guy, and it sounds great! He said for an instrument nearly 80 years old, it was in pretty good shape. But of course needed work, especially with the keys and some bellows leaks. I appreciate all the wisdom and assistance! One more question, especially to those of you familiar with Silvio Scandalli accordions. My model is a Serenador, and the serial number is 5139. I would like to find out the exact year it was manufactured. I have searched all I could on the internet, but haven't had much luck. Do any of you guys have connections, or maybe knowledge of websites where I could find this information? As I said earlier, thanks for all the advice, information and knowledge you have shared with me so far. My machine looks and sounds great, and is a wonderful family heirloom to pass down to my son.

Mike

Sorry!! I should have said Silvio Soprani!! Mea culpa!!

 

[Caps]

Welcome to the site! Best of luck with the restoration. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[dak]

Welcome to the forum. Our friend Paul is absolutely correct about this accordion. Just like anything else, old instruments can need more repair than they are worth and many people assume that just because something is old it has a high value.

On the plus side, investing more than it is worth economically in an instrument is a good way never to get tempted to sell it. An instrument worth $100.000 does not stay in family because whoever gets it would need to reimburse other heirs.