The accordion rising from the flames

[Jose EB5AGV]

Close to 20 years ago, on 17th April 2005, the fire partially destroyed a local musical instrument shop (located in Valencia, Spain)

This is the news on next day:

A fire that broke out early yesterday morning completely destroyed the rear of a centrally located musical instrument store on Calle del Mar in Valencia. The rest of the premises were affected by smoke.

In just an hour, I will take a look to an accordion, which was new back then and survived the fire inside its case. And without any aparent smoke nor water damage...

It is not a fancy one, just a custom branded (Sonora brand) generic unit. 37 keys, 96 bass, seven treble registers, 2 bass registers. It is really a NOS unit.









I love when instruments have some story behind . And, this one, being red, and rising from the flames, seems like a good candidate for some love and care.

Yes, I am a hopeless romantic lover!

Jose

 

[Ben-jammin]

The registers and general build look reminiscent of several accordion brands that have their instruments built in China. Not saying it’s one of those but I would be on alert. If it is one it might be worth playing but you might find the reeds need more air to start sounding and give you only a tiny amount of dynamic control.

 

[Mike t.]

My Spanish improved after I ordered a spicy dish called chicken diablo, I didn’t know what diablo meant then, but my burning mouth never let me forget my mistake after that! I would name her… ella diablo “She Devil” she lived in the flames. Great story!

 

[Tom]

Great find Jose!

 

[Jose EB5AGV]

Well, as you may imagine, I have seen it... And it is now in my storage area waiting to be cared for . I will probably began tomorrow to check it in detail. I have taken with me a tool to open it and the seller has had no problem with me checking it. Reeds are fine. Some valves need work. I have opened also the treble side. All felts look like new, keys are levelled and nicely spaced.

The accordion is really unused, it has just sat 20 years and, luckily, within a bag inside the case. I think that may have saved it.

All in all, it is very similar, if not identical, to an Estrella 37/96 currently in production. Another Chinese accordion, as I knew already.

I had also with me my phone and a tuner app and have checked several registers. All were reasonably close. Even the basses were decently sounding

I have paid 150€, so there is not much to lose...

Jose