Ranco Antonio Bass accordion

[KST]

Hi there, I recently had some really helpful info from a number of members about my full size bass accordion so I'm hoping you can help a little more... I've thought long and hard and have now put this accordion up for sale on ebay...I'd rather it was played than stay sitting in it's box forever....however there are still some parts I'm not sure about - I know it's pre-war so doesn't have many sound changer buttons/levers - it could have one though that I've found out about through trawling the internet it - and there is, above the buttons, a long bar which can be pushed (as can be seen in the attached photograph) ...is this the sound changer?...I can't play it properly (it does still work) as too heavy and large for me so not accurately being able to test. I'd appreciate any help...I'm feeling more and moe like a absolute novice!!!

 

[JIM D.]

The accordion you have IS NOT a bass accordion. It's a late 20's early 30's conventional design 41/120 PA accordion.
As far as the reeds - pic's of the interior will be necessary.
Also an inspection will be necessary to determine it's value.

 

[donn]

The bar looks like a switch for the bass registers. It should change the sound of the buttons in the two rows nearest the top. Probably sound deeper and louder on one setting than the other.

When all I knew about accordions was from seeing ads in the newspaper classifieds (yes, I'm that old), I imagined that "120 bass accordion" was a "bass accordion" of "120" dimension. It's really an "accordion" of "120 bass" dimension. The number of bass buttons is a fact about the accordion that's easy to determine and remember, but is really of not much consequence.

Long ago this was a fine accordion, I think - but I'm just guessing, because it's so irrelevant that it isn't worth looking up. At this point, it's all about how old it is, and how much is left of it.

 

[JIM D.]

That accordion you have is a product of Guglielmo Ranco of Vercelli, Italy. The firm was active from 1914 to 1939.

 

[Tom]

It's a beautiful accordion. It's value may be related more to It's value as a collector item than sound quality at this point. Are you near any shops where you could take it gor assessment?

 

[KST]

Thank you all for your responses - lots more info for me to digest and understand!! ..it is beautiful Tom...which is why it is wrong for it to stay in a case I feel. I never appreciated quite how much there is to know about the accordion...perhaps I should stick to loving hearing a great player play!! Many Thanks again all of you

 

[Tom]

No, you should definetly learn to play, it's reslly easy! If you get a good price for that one, knowledgeable people here can help you get a smaller, mor suitable one.