Settimio Soprani L 599/22

[KiwiSqueezer]

I'm frustrated by my lack of progress in the restoration of my little Paramount box, on which I hope to learn. It's not the sheer amount of work that's required, nor its difficulty, that's the hold-up, but the difficulty of sourcing parts from the end of the world - I'm in New Zealand, and the lack of information available from suppliers. For example, I'm more-or-less resigned to having to make tiny woodscrews: awkward and time-consuming, but do-able, although it encourages procrastination. Also, the choice-overload at a supplier like Carini.De.Na is frightening. I'm sure they have anything I could possibly need, but finding it seems near-impossible.

So I'm on the lookout for another box, which will probably turn out to be a wreck and another tedious restoration job. Because of a lack of retailers here, the only practicable way to purchase is by gambling on auction sites - buying unseen and untried, which I realise is stupid - but there really doesn't seem to be an alternative, unless one is willing to spend a fortune.

The reason for this post is that a Settimio Soprani 41-120, 'L 599/22', said to date from the '40s, has popped up. Treble registers are labelled 'Bassoon', 'Bandoneon', 'Accordion', 'Master', 'Celeste', 'Violin', and 'Clarinet'. I assume this is therefore a LMMM or LMMH (less likely, because there's no 'Piccolo' voice?). Does this seem reasonable? Anyone know anything about this model? (What I really want is a B-system CBA, but there are no aerial pigs here...).

 

[debra]

There is another alternative besides auction sites: reputable dealers who are willing to ship an accordion to you. It will still be "unseen and untried" by you but at least it will be seen, tried, repaired and tuned by an expert. I must stress the word *reputable" dealer because there are unfortunately too many accordion "dealers" who sell and ship wrecks claiming they are in good working order... But the gamble is smaller than on auction sites.

 

[Ventura]

here is that model on sale locally (to me) typical pricing for the USA in this condition

Accordion - Settimio Soprani Dick Contino White Sparkle - musical...

"Dick Contino" model 120 bass/chord button piano accordion. • 3 sets of treble reeds • 2 sets of bass reeds • 7 treble registers • 2 bass switches Working with some visible wear.

washingtondc.craigslist.org

that student model was pretty common in the 60's, medium quality,
LMH reedset

there are accordion dealers in Australia and lots of members here also from Australia,
i don't understand why you can't make a connection to buy an accordion from nearby..

for example:
Titano Accordions (NZ) Ltd
Contact:
Maurice Jones
Accordion House
5 Penning Road, Milford,
Auckland 0620
New Zealand Phone:
email:
website +64 9 489 8316
AccordionHouseNZ@gmail.com

http://www.accordions.com/accordionhouse/

 

[KiwiSqueezer]

Ventura - thanks for the helpful information about the box.

You 'can't understand why [ I ] can't make a connection to buy an accordion from 'nearby'. Well, it depends on what you mean by 'nearby'. Perhaps you don't fully appreciate how different New Zealand is from other, large countries. I'm in NZ's south island (population about 1 million). That's a (moderately expensive and planet-destroying) 'plane journey away from Maurice Jones in Auckland (in the north island, population about 4 million). He is the only dealer I am aware of in NZ. Music shops here claim that no-one is interested in accordions, and don't know anything about them. Whereas USA (population about 333 million) seems to be awash with used accordions, here, on the major national auction site, one Aucklander (who appears to be an informal buyer and seller, and who claims to repair, and who enjoys mixed reviews) usually lists a few boxes at any one time, but they don't seem to sell. Perhaps three others are listed each week, usually obviously junk, and there's perhaps one other of potential interest. It is unusual for a box to sell quickly - most get no bids. Australia is not 'nearby', as far as I'm concerned, and the distances between its major cities are considerable. Just getting to see a suitable box would cost more than the box (at my price ceiling).

So, isolated in an accordion wilderness, there isn't much difference between buying from the other end of the country and from anywhere else in the world - it's a gamble. How much would you risk?

Debra's advice about dealers is superficially appropriate - but not in all locations. What is a 'guarantee' worth, if my purchase from overseas needs attention? And repairs in NZ? Hmmm...

As a hopeful learner, I'm most reluctant to fork out thousands on a new Titano or Pigini (or anything else...), so am living in a delusional state, believing that something second- (or more-) hand, that's interesting and restorable (by me) will turn up under, say, NZ$500. I don't subscribe to the idea that crippled or low-quality instruments are what learners should have.

Objectively, I'm probably being stupid. Story of my life. But sometimes good things happen...

 

[Ventura]

we need to schmooze one of the other local members here into
helping you out.. i think Dingo has at least 72 accordions in his collection

XD

but seriously, does anyone have an extra but halfway decent lil old accordion
for this fella ?

and i can understand making the investment in a new one, even
a student model, can be more than you can justify or afford today.. but
at least you can get a decent box on the other side of the Island
if you hit the Lotto or find some Gold on your next trip up the mountain !

goodluck.. keep showing us pics of stuff you are considering

 

[Dingo40]

i think Dingo has at least 72 accordions in his collection

I wish!

 

[Dingo40]

Check out these guys!

Accordions for Sale - Premium & Quality Accordions | McNeela

Add a touch of tradition to your performance with our accordions. Choose from a variety of styles, sizes and learning levels

mcneelamusic.com

 

[Tom]

Yeah, I could fix up that one my brother in law found at the dump yesterday. Too bad it's in Mass. I don't know what it would cost to ship a cordeen to NZ. Gonna try to move a couple or 3 at my studio open house this weekend.