I've got an old Kreminne, technically Ukrainian, that's not in good condition. I'm planning to learn how to tune reeds so I can get it somewhat playable. I'm aware that getting it repaired is going to cost more than it's worth so I figure I can do it myself for cheaper and pick up some useful skills in the process. It'll probably look something similar once I open it up.That is very sound advice. Make sure to also check the inside of an old used bayan.
You may find all sorts of problems inside. Buying a used Russian bayan is really stepping into a minefield.
Here are just a few examples:
Reed plates that should be easily removable (with hooks or screws) were glued so they could not be removed. Also, piccolo reeds that should be upside down (for better response and the possibility to do tuning inside) were not upside down.
Excessive scratching and use of dremel caused significant rust on the reeds.
Poor thin foam gasket under the reed block instead of a proper leather gasket.
Thinking about investing in a high-end bayan, looking for advice
- Thread starter platypus
- Start date
When you don't get the full size bayan, whether from one of the Jupiter companies or Mir or AKKO or Zonta... you will not get the sound of such a bayan. You can get a compact model (with say 61 notes instead of 64) also from such companies and still get the same sound, but a significantly less expensive model that does not have the large multi-reed plates will not give you that bayan sound.
Your best bet to buy a new bayan while the war is ongoing is to buy a Zonta from Belarus. I had bad experience with one, but that was a Kravtsov one and as Zonta is the only company making bayans with a Kravtsov keyboard my guess is that all the problems came from dealing with that keyboard (and the resulting different notes on different reed plates, requiring them to make their own reed plates instead of getting them from for instance Harmonikas in the Czech Republic...)
If you are patient you can wait for regular full size bayans to become available on the used market that may be in good condition.
Well, the Harmony guys in Ukraine have a couple of new Tulas on their website, I guess it must be pre-war stock that they received prior to 2022? I'm thinking I could email them and ask if they stock spare parts and if it's possible to buy them, then learn how to do the repairs myself if I bought one of those and it had issues. The issue is getting stuff shipped, though. My Etude took three months to arrive.
Thinking about it some more, my best bet at this point could be to take a trip to Castelfidardo or somewhere else in Italy and try as many accordions as I can to get a feel for what sort of tuning/sound I like, then maybe buy one and bring it back on the return flight if I find one I really like.
Is that the same guys who were trying to shift an old Ouverture for 1,500EUR? [They sell for 120EUR on ebay in decent nick...). Or Agats for 3,000EUR? Must be something really special about them. Solid gold reed plates? 
Yes, going to Italy is definitely a good idea if you have that option.
Yes, going to Italy is definitely a good idea if you have that option.
This one?: https://accordion-bayan.com/accordions/g004Is that the same guys who were trying to shift an old Ouverture for 1,500EUR? [They sell for 120EUR on ebay in decent nick...). Or Agats for 3,000EUR? Must be something really special about them. Solid gold reed plates?
Yes, going to Italy is definitely a good idea if you have that option.
Siegmund
Well-known member
That is a good option if you are looking to buy new.
Be aware that even the biggest factories won't have one of every model in stock. I visited six factories; only four had any B system model available at all (though I played simple scales on CBA-C or PA too.) Only three had a cassotto model available. If you want a specific tuning or color or anything else you'll be placing an order and receiving the instrument some months later.
At least in the USA, a good option for "try as many used accordions as I can" is to attend a music festival that has accordion dealer vendors. There will be dozens and dozens of used PAs of all different brands and tunings on hand. And if you are lucky a tiny handful of CBAs.
Yes, I'm aware that B-system is less common. At the very least, I can get a sense of what sound I like and then order something.
I guess I can also go to an accordion/music festival somewhere in Europe and try accordions there too?
Yep. But it's pretty clear from the photos that the reed plates are aluminium, not solid gold. There's also a club morino for $2.2k when they are widely available for under 1k EUR in Germany in perfect, recently serviced condition. The pricing is most peculiar to say the least.
If you bought a $10k bayan and it had issues you don't ask if you can buy spare parts for it to fix it yourself, you send it back with seller paying for return shipping and honouring their warranty.
For the money you're thinking of spending the world is your oyster, you can have almost any box you want. You can have bayan basses fitted into an Italian accordion if that's what your heart desires.
If you bought a $10k bayan and it had issues you don't ask if you can buy spare parts for it to fix it yourself, you send it back with seller paying for return shipping and honouring their warranty.
For the money you're thinking of spending the world is your oyster, you can have almost any box you want. You can have bayan basses fitted into an Italian accordion if that's what your heart desires.
I agree the pricing is a bit odd, though I think the $400 dollar three-row bayans are probably decent for the money? That's roughly what I paid for mine and it's in good condition, if a bit basic.
I will note that they don't seem to have any information regarding warranty, which is concerning. Is there anything wrong with fixing the $10k bayan yourself after the warranty expires though?
Can I get bayan reeds fitted into my Italian accordion or is that a step too far?
To find examples of bayan sounds YouTube is your friend...
You should at least watch this video that demonstrates the sound of four different bayans.
There are many more videos of people playing different Russian or Italian bayans for all kinds of music.
You should at least watch this video that demonstrates the sound of four different bayans.
There are many more videos of people playing different Russian or Italian bayans for all kinds of music.
I'd highly recommend these too as the ideal choice for a modern converter button accordion. I got a nearly new one of these last year and now own no other accordions, because you just don't need anything else.They also sound really fine with just the right amount of bellows umph for their size.
mrkeelermr
Member
FWIW I purchased a bayan from Nick at https://bellobasso.com/ around January of this year and had a good experience. He packed it very carefully and the bayan arrived in great shape.
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