Recreational accordion recommendations

[rjsbman]

I'm looking for recommendations and/or suggestions for a full sized piano accordion for recreational playing. I've had an Excelsior Symphony Grand (ca. 1950's) and a Bell Duovox in the past when I played semi-professionally.

I'm considering an Ottavianelli (musette tuned) or a Weltmeister Saphir. Anyone with familiarity with either of these? Besides the sound, I am particularly interested in a responsive (light touch keyboard) and one that's good on air.

 

[Tom]

Hi Rj,

I play Piatanesi accordions which are basically the same as Ottavianelli (I believe). I love them, including the musette sounds. They are very popular in Brazil if that means anything, and the air and responsiveness is good enough for me. Obviously trying before you buy is the biggest recommendation. I haven't compared them to Weltmeister, which incidently are the subject of some posts here you may want to check out. Your results will vary but I wish you good luck in your search.

 

[Ventura]

hey Rj

up in Rochester ?

sadly Rose and Roxy Music are no longer around to help, so it's
off to New York or New Jersey or Philadelphia for "try before you buy"

first off, i would ask why not keep playing the Bell, but just adjust your approach to playing ?

if you only play Treble, and amplify
(wirelessly, even through a small but decent battery powered amp like a street cube)
then you can have that light touch and easy squeeze you want,
and just play along to your favourite MIDI files or Music Minus One audio tracks
or easy band-in-a-box setups

those Bell Duovox's had awesome walnut keyboards with long keys and
a perfect pivotpoint for leverage.. i have one on my "project" shelf
(a big shelf with lots of accordion projects that i sadly now realise i will never finish)

haha

anyhow, if you want to pursue this idea we can have a chat sometime..
i came to Roses a few times and used MIDI backgrounds live for the shows
when we were showing off the FR7 waaaay back when

ciao

Ventura

 

[rjsbman]

hey Rj

up in Rochester ?

sadly Rose and Roxy Music are no longer around to help, so it's
off to New York or New Jersey or Philadelphia for "try before you buy"

first off, i would ask why not keep playing the Bell, but just adjust your approach to playing ?

if you only play Treble, and amplify
(wirelessly, even through a small but decent battery powered amp like a street cube)
then you can have that light touch and easy squeeze you want,
and just play along to your favourite MIDI files or Music Minus One audio tracks
or easy band-in-a-box setups

those Bell Duovox's had awesome walnut keyboards with long keys and
a perfect pivotpoint for leverage.. i have one on my "project" shelf
(a big shelf with lots of accordion projects that i sadly now realise i will never finish)

haha

anyhow, if you want to pursue this idea we can have a chat sometime..
i came to Roses a few times and used MIDI backgrounds live for the shows
when we were showing off the FR7 waaaay back when

ciao

Ventura

thanks for the info. I no longer have the Bell Duovox, so that's not an option. I had considered a Roland, but now only considering acoustic-only accordions.

 

[debra]

A "recreational accordion" can mean so many different things... I am a "recreational player" and for me the most fun is playing my full size bayan and baroque music... And I play "recreationally" in several bands where I play the bass accordion...
Lightweight and light to the touch seems begging for an LMM configuration without cassotto. LMM versus LMMM or LMMH means (besides less weight) smaller pallets which require less force to keep closed when you push hard, so the accordion can be light to the touch.
Of course the construction and make of the accordion can make a huge difference too. We have a Bugari 540/ARS/C which is very light to the touch (despite being LMMH with LM in cassotto) whereas we have two more LMMH cassotto accordions that are more and much more heavy to the touch... So: try before you buy! There are huge differences that cannot be read from the specs.

 

[rjsbman]

A "recreational accordion" can mean so many different things... I am a "recreational player" and for me the most fun is playing my full size bayan and baroque music... And I play "recreationally" in several bands where I play the bass accordion...
Lightweight and light to the touch seems begging for an LMM configuration without cassotto. LMM versus LMMM or LMMH means (besides less weight) smaller pallets which require less force to keep closed when you push hard, so the accordion can be light to the touch.
Of course the construction and make of the accordion can make a huge difference too. We have a Bugari 540/ARS/C which is very light to the touch (despite being LMMH with LM in cassotto) whereas we have two more LMMH cassotto accordions that are more and much more heavy to the touch... So: try before you buy! There are huge differences that cannot be read from the specs.

Thanks for the info (food for thought). I guess 'recreational' for me means playing for my own enjoyment...and maybe my family. Most of my comments about a keyboard with a 'light touch' comes from mostly playing a 140 bass Symphony Grand with extended keyboard. Unfortunately, that box needs all new leathers and a re-tuning, so I'd rather just try and trade it in on a new or good used one. Currently looking at several from Liberty Bellows (Sonola, Weltmeister, Excelsiola).

 

[debra]

Thanks for the info (food for thought). I guess 'recreational' for me means playing for my own enjoyment...and maybe my family. Most of my comments about a keyboard with a 'light touch' comes from mostly playing a 140 bass Symphony Grand with extended keyboard. Unfortunately, that box needs all new leathers and a re-tuning, so I'd rather just try and trade it in on a new or good used one. Currently looking at several from Liberty Bellows (Sonola, Weltmeister, Excelsiola).

If you like your Symphony Grand except for the repair it needs I would just get it repaired. It's worth it. As for trading it for something else I would rate the Sonola and Excelsiola names clearly above Weltmeister.