Pancordion Pan Italia

[tshull]

This was an old accordion that my grandmother used to play. It was given to me, but I don't know much about them so I figured I would sign up here and ask the experts. Can you guys tell me what I have and a ballpark figure of what it may be worth? On the top it says "PAN italia". It also says "SUSAN". On the bottom it says "Pancordion INC Patent number 2448682". It has 120 bass buttons. I tested it and it does play. Any idea what it is worth? Thanks in advance.

 

[debra]

It was a good instrument, made by Crucianelli. It's probably either 3 reeds (LMMM) or 4 reeds (LMMM), no piccolo. My brother used to have a Crucianelli Artiste which was LMMM and had 7 switches on the bass side as well. The construction with these "flap" registers was never very popular because these instruments did not produce a very powerful sound (not enough large enough openings to let the sound through).
Regarding value you may be disappointed, or less so, depending on the state of the instrument on the inside. It doesn't matter that the instrument is nice and shiny, it's the reeds and tuning that determine the value. And that we cannot see from the outside, let alone hear.
It certainly was a good instrument at the time and your grandmother likely had a lot of fun playing it.

 

[JIM D.]

Hi tshull; Just read your post. Im not sure of what side of the pond your on but, here in the US the name
PANcordion has for over a half century often been quoted as The Most Respected Name In Accordions .
The PANcordion firm had a unique start here in the US. In the mid 30s two fellows collaborated to develop and patent a series of innovations in accordion production and constructional development.
One of these was Robert Pancotti who left his family-owned Excelsior Accordion Company, and the other was Ernest Deffner a New York, NY musical distributor.
This newly founded firm purchased the old Wurlitzer accordion factory in Long Island City, NY where they built hand-made PANcordions. The best known feature of these PANs was the body design Directone an innovation for the time and still found on currently Italian made PANs and Crucianellis.
This Directone design (treble & bass vents) provided more carrying power and unified bass and treble sounds that reached the listener as a blend rather than as separate sides and voices of the instrument.
The well made shift machines on these models (still used today) feature elongated treble registers. They appear as sleek bars across the length of the grill providing access to simple tonal changes from any keyboard playing position, even while sustaining a note.
In the early 50s production was switched to the factory of CrucItianelli in Italy where they are still made today.
There have been and still are well known US accordionists such as Frankie Yankovovic, Don Lipovac, Billy Costa, Joey Muskulin,Tops Cardoni, Maddalena Belfiore and Dick Metko that have and still use a PAN today.
For over 40 years the late Myron Floren made PANs famous by performing weekly on the Lawrence Welk TV Show --
Today the well known Joey Muskulin performs with a PAN in the group Riders In The Sky --
From your pics in looks like you have a late 50s Italian made PANitalia model with three reed treble and 5 reed bass. These well made used PANs are well sought after here in the US by knowledgeable accordionists (incl. yours truly) because of their robust construction and great resale value.
If yours has an 18 keyboard -Depending on condition will fetch between $1000.00 to $1500.00 here in the US.
If it has a 19 keyboard - $1500.00 to $1750.00

 

[EMan]

The pic of that "Panaccordion" really brings back memories from the late 50's. I always had a keen interest in the shift mechanism of those accordions, although I never had one. Played one a few times and they played well.

Jim D seems pretty knowledgeable about the accordion and it is interesting reading the background of how it came to be during the biggest popularity of accordions in America.

E

 

[tshull]

Thanks so much for your replies. I really do appreciate it. It was nice to hear about the history of this instrument. Jim D., you had asked which side of the pond I was on. I live in the United States, South Carolina to be exact. Since I am a drummer and not an accordion player, I am more interested in selling this accordion. However, I do not know any of the channels to make that happen, other than eBay. Would you be interested in purchasing this instrument, or know of someone who would be? Thanks again everyone, for all of your help.

 

[Soulsaver]

You can put it in the 'for sale' section here for a start...
I'll leave selling channels for the US guys to comment on... I'm UK, but I always admire the tone of these when I come across them on th'uTube.
Be nice if you knew someone who could assess it and maybe record it..?

Be Lucky.

 

[landro]

Thanks so much for your replies. I really do appreciate it. It was nice to hear about the history of this instrument. Jim D., you had asked which side of the pond I was on. I live in the United States, South Carolina to be exact. Since I am a drummer and not an accordion player, I am more interested in selling this accordion. However, I do not know any of the channels to make that happen, other than eBay. Would you be interested in purchasing this instrument, or know of someone who would be? Thanks again everyone, for all of your help.

Of course the Pancordions are of very good quality . However, I wish you luck getting as much as $1000 or more especially if you are in the US. Take a look at the Ebay sold listings for 3 reed Pancordions and you will see they seldom get anywhere near the $1K mark. They more often than not garner under $500.
Accordions with only 3 treble reed sets of(LMH) simply aren`t in big demand regardless of brand. LMM IS more sought after but still IS only a 3 reed instrument .

 

[JIM D.]

Hi Landro;
I respect your response to this post. But, as most of use are aware that accordions for sale on Ebay are first of all a gamble or pig in the poke. And yes models of quality makes such as PANcordion, Excelsior, Titano, Guilietti,and Sano are to be found for low price's but in all instances will require service and parts that will equal the purchase or more to refurbish them to perform as new. The price's I've quoted here are for an instrument with clean bellows and tape, good shoulder and bellows straps, reeds and leathers cleaned and tuned, and a decent case.

 

[landro]

Hi Landro;
I respect your response to this post. But, as most of use are aware that accordions for sale on Ebay are first of all a gamble or pig in the poke. And yes models of quality makes such as PANcordion, Excelsior, Titano, Guilietti,and Sano are to be found for low prices but in all instances will require service and parts that will equal the purchase or more to refurbish them to perform as new. The prices Ive quoted here are for an instrument with clean bellows and tape, good shoulder and bellows straps, reeds and leathers cleaned and tuned, and a decent case.

Jim D,
Of course I`d extend the same respect to you too. I can understand where you are coming from. And I do of course realize an established shop would be entitled to command a higher price than Ebay for his offerings since he is local , accessible after sale , and usually obligated to extend some sort of warranty.
Buying on Ebay CAN often be a gamble , especially for the greenhorn purchaser. However, selling an accordion on Ebay requires the seller to be honest in his description and the buyer to be knowledgeable . Contrary to what some might think, there are many honest and legitimate well known accordion sellers using Ebay . Even so , the buyer should expect the occasional surprise when buying sight unseen from lesser known sellers. It`s the price one pays when one goes that route. Close up and detailed pictures along with detailed description goes a long way to aid in a purchase. Questions have to be asked and answered.
Not all accordions on Ebay need extensive work and retuning. When the seller states the instrument is in excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition and in tune , it pretty much has to be , or the seller is obligated to accept a return plus shipping costs or issue a satisfactory refund for the cost of adjustments/repairs. Ebay is very strict when it comes to accuracy of description. The buyer almost always has the leverage in the sale.
I find it hard to believe all established shops routinely go through the trouble to restore/refurbish all their used accordions to perform as new. That simply is rarely possible. Few used instruments are worth new leathers, wax, and a professional tuning. Certainly to make it playable , the most glaring issues would be fixed possibly some spot tuning of select reeds that were noticeably out of whack, and then put on the shelf marked refurbished. Each instrument has to be evaluated for it`s worth and refurbished accordingly.