So, you want/got a smaller, lighter accordion?

[Soulsaver]

I thought we may get an hopefully interesting discussion going round the need for a smaller accordion, in addition to/instead of your 120, 96 etc.
This question crops up mainly with PA, but that maybe because theyre more common, so welcome to stick your buttons (oar)in as you please.

We get quite common comments for people getting older and/or injuries & want something lighter. And comments from people who want to stand (maybe outside so want a cheap alternative) or stroll, or not put so much pressure on sensitive areas (nearly an anagram :lol: ) when sitting.

People whove already addressed the problem will be valuable contributors -what they got right; what, if anything, they got wrong.

I thought we could discuss:
A. Why you feel (felt) the need for a smaller model & your plan.

B. Budget.

C. Suggested models, their weights & their possible costs. Ill extract them to a makes & models post if plenty of good info gained .

If not moving permanently, their affect on your play moving back & forth from big to small?

<COLOR color=#0000FF>Edit to include results so far:Id have not included a 48 bass as a realistic prospect until I heard the Sandy Brechin stuff, but now it is, albeit with the reservation if you desire a broader repertoire you may need more basses.
Just a caveat tho, his instrument, and other youtube samples, may not be standard out of the box tuning, so if youre buying, make sure you are getting what you expect... ideally play & hear it first... but you know all that.

And in mere mortal hands it may not sound as good anyhow...

But if you fancy summat light and capable & maybe cheap enough, this is what Ive found examples off, so far, in the Hohner cheerful range, all with full size 20mm keys:

Model; Treble keys/Bass buttons; VoicesT/B; T/B couplers; Weight KGs (apprx prob inc straps)
Arietta 1 26/48 2/3 3/0 4.6
Arietta 1M 34/72 2/4 3/0 6.0
Arietta 2M 34/72 3/4 5/2 7.0
Concerto II 34/72 2/4 3/0 6.0
Concerto III N 34/72 3/4 5/2 7.0 (ex straps, +0.5 with)

Ariettas ....1953 - 1957, replaced by
Concerto ...1957 on. N early 81 -84; S 85 -90; T 1995 - 1999(?)

On a different budget, but still useful info:
Allodi/Fantini SP30/T - 30 key/3 voice/72 bass PA is actually 7.5 kgs, incl good straps and supplied backpad - member info, thanks Artidots, who adds doesnt feel that heavy though..

Found this recently 1955 Bell catalogue: Hohner model listing inc spec & with weights... and prices.

 

[Russ]

I have a 72 bass and a 120 bass. I am thinking of getting a 96 bass. My Peter Pan standard 72 bass goes from low Db/C# to high F#/Gb.

My question is: Is there a standard set range for the Stradella System, that is do most 72 bass go from low Db to F#?

If there is a standard range What is the standard/usual set up be for a 96 bass?

Also some Pigini Converters come with 108 standard bass. Does anyone know what the range is?

 

[Guernseyman]

I have a 120 bass cooperativa but a compact version, so it is 96 bass sized. The only thing I found was it was difficult to get used to less volume from smaller bellows but it doesn't bother me any more. I also have a 72 bass wooden serenellini which I love and tend to do the learning of a new piece on the smaller accordion. Off to look at a 96 bass Beltuna tomorrow (as advertised on this forum!). I thoroughly recommend a smaller accordion for the back and shoulders but be mindful of the smaller keyboard. I make sure I play both every day!

 

[george garside]

the boxes so far mentioned are relatively huge! - If anybody really wants to go the whole hog as far as lightness is concerned they should have at least one one row 4 stop 2 bass box in their collection. Just think about all the dilemas that will not occur with a box with no ''black'' notes and the ultra economical two bass.

The ten key one row was of course the original 1829 'accordion' and as such is the great great grandfather of all boxes!

george

 

[jarvo]

the boxes so far mentioned are relatively huge! - If anybody really wants to go the whole hog as far as lightness is concerned they should have at least one one row 4 stop 2 bass box in their collection. Just think about all the dilemas that will not occur with a box with no ''black'' notes and the ultra economical two bass.

The ten key one row was of course the original 1829 'accordion' and as such is the great great grandfather of all boxes!

george

Ha ...I have ...I love my Castagnari 4 Voice 10 button box......I am getting a serious amount of pain and swelling in my left hand lower thumb joint. Osteo arthiritis beginning at 55 ...sheesh ...always choose parents wiith better genes ..lol
I will persevere with all my instruments , but lately Castagnari and Uke rule the roost........then in order of painplay Roland Fr 1X.....Banjo and harmonica ...guitars and mando ....not so much.............

 

[artelagro]

I too would like, at times, to switch to a smaller box but am not comfortable with a different keyboard.
I admire players like Sandy Brechin who is totally at home with a fifty year old Hohner having only 48 basses.
Here he is explaining some merits of lightweight instruments

 

[Zevy]

This is my Borsini Lars Ek Nostalgic. I believe it dates back to the mid 1980s. Only 100 were manufactured. Of those, 5 or 10 were PAs, and I have one of them. It is a replica of the early accordions, albeit with better mechanism than the old models. It is lighter and easier to play, and if you like the sound and response, the only drawback is that the keys are a few mm shorter than those on the usual full-sized accordion. Otherwise, it is a full-size accordion. IMHO it is more suitable for Frosini and Deiro era music.[/size][/font]

 

[goldtopia]

It depends what kind of music you play. If your in an accordion band or you play a lot of classical stuff then you should have a 96 or 120 bass.. I play a wide variety of tunes of which none warrant bigger than a 72 bass which is big enough for me as a 71 years old. My lightest accordion is a very light 32 bass compact 2 voice which I dont play very much but keep as a spare, maybe for when I'm in my eighties. But for jigs and reels or morris dancing a 32 bass will often do. I also have a Weltmeister Achat 3 voice which I play most, but have just bought a light weight Pigini 2 voice 72 bass that weighs just 7 Kg. As I usually play mostly two voice, the Pigini could well be the answer for lightness and for 72 bass ideal size. I think for most all round playing 72 bass is what would satisfy most people.

If anyone is considering getting a Pigini 72 bass. Its tuned 2 voice in octave or unison. If you want wet tuning you would have to send it to be retuned as I have done. I have no idea why Pigini have done this as most people prefer wet tuned.

 

[Soulsaver]

Y I am so impressed with Sandy Brechins use of his 48 bass - It is a 1950/60s Hohner but not checked for the model - just shows what you can do on a 48, or at least - what can be done!
And it under scores Bill's point about depending on what you play.

I've just had surgery and they've said no lifting heavy weights so leaving off the 120s & 96s for a month or so.

So started this thread & kicked off an alternate plan.

I like the idea of a 72 bass for spare, lightness when needed, travelling, long practice sessions, strolling and possible outside performance - so got to be cheapish, too.

I've already got a great Hohner 120 compact, but thought I'd see what a smaller, but full size keys would do to the fingering.
So, just bought number 15... a doer upper - German made late 1980s Hohner Concerto 111 - 34/72/5/2. Think they're c16lbs (c7.5kgs) coming Wednesday/Thursday.

 

[Soulsaver]

Ha ...I have ...I love my Castagnari 4 Voice 10 button box......

Did you keep that quiet? Or did I miss something?

 

[jarvo]

Hey Soulsaver, try :


http://www.accordionists.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=1230&start=10



I may have made some progress since then .......

 

[Anyanka]

Sandy Brechin's little box is a Hohner Student as far as I know. I've got one for sale... and the bass end has been re-tuned to run from Bb to B instead of the original Eb to E.

I have a hefty 5-row Pigini 72 bass convertor CBA for 'serious' playing, and use a 3-row Hohner Amati (the equivalent of the Student but with buttons) for Morris and any other occasions that involve standing or walking a lot. I'd love to get a lightweight 5-row CBA sometime in the future, but cost is always an issue.

 

[Soulsaver]

Thanks Anyanka - I was going to say Student, Arietta & Concerto all do 48 and that grill - but you've sorted it. They all look useful.
There's a few different sizes to listen to on t'YouTube. Google Hohner Arietta for example. They were later replaced by Concerto II.
They're 2 voices, trem in 'M's. Weigh about 10-15lbs in 48-72 bass.
How much for one (yours for example)?

 

[BobM]

If 5 grand were to drop in my lap, I'd have one of these like a shot, and with the French Stradella LH like the video's down the page.

 

[Soulsaver]

If 5 grand were to drop in my lap, Id have one of these like a shot, and with the French Stradella LH like the videos down the page.

You can have about a dozen good Ariettas for that, Bob. is there something missing from your post?

 

[BobM]

If 5 grand were to drop in my lap, Id have one of these like a shot, and with the French Stradella LH like the videos further down the page.

You can have about at least a dozen good Ariettas for that, Bob. is there something missing room your post?[/quote]

Oh yes...

http://www.saltarelle.com/accordion_bourroche.htm

 

[Anyanka]

Thanks Anyanka - I was going to say Student, Arietta & Concerto all do 48 and that grill - but youve sorted it. They all look useful.
Theres a few different sizes to listen to on tYouTube. Google Hohner Arietta for example. They were later named Concerto II.
Theyre 2 voices, trem in Ms. Weigh about 13-15lbs in 48-72 bass.
How much for one (yours for example)?

A good, fettled Student 48-bass is usually around £450. Mines a VM:

[/url]

 

[jarvo]

Ha ...I have ...I love my Castagnari 4 Voice 10 button box......

Did you keep that quiet? Or did I miss something?[/quote]

Ha ...I have ...I love my Castagnari 4 Voice 10 button box......

Did you keep that quiet? Or did I miss something?[/quote]



BUMP...just in case you misse :roll: :lol: :b :ch d it again

 

[Soulsaver]

BUMP...just in case you misse :roll: :lol: :b :ch d it again

Saw it this time, Chris.. congratulations, great effort too!Im not ready to migrate from PA..yet!

 

[BobM]

Sandy Brechin, on a smaller lighter accordion.