Thought it best to introduce myself before becoming a right PITB

[JulesMartin]

Hi, as previously mentioned, I'm in my late 60's and having found an old 12 bass in the loft in need of repair I've decided to bite the bullet and invest in a slightly larger instrument and start my accordion journey. I've been looking at a lot of different instruments and I've come across a few that have gauges on them. Some of the gauges have P & F on them. I don't know but would that be Piano and Forte? if that is the case how would that work and why would it be of use to anybody? Be kind if I've just asked a really stupid question! This is all very new to me.

 

[Tom]

Welcome Jules! Hard to say exactly without a picture, but maybe these are volume knobs for internal microphones?

 

[Pipemajor]

Hi JulesMartin,
never seen an accordion with gauges on.
Maybe you are looking at the switch registers which engage/disengage the various couplers (different tones) on the larger accordions. Never seen P & F either.
The switch registers bring in different tunings as in Musette or different octaves.
They also allow you to combine different settings.
The only way to alter the volume is via the bellows, or what is known as a sordina which softens the sound on some accordions.

 

[boxplayer4000]

Jules: We need pictures.

(Like in an earlier cartoon on this thread maybe pressure gauges have been fitted to the accordion so that it doubles up as a tyre pump!)

 

[Glug]

Some of the older accordions did have a 'gauge' to show which register you were in,
sort of like a gear indicator in an automatic car.

 

[JulesMartin]

I can't find one with P and F on but now wondering if its the names of the different 'voices'?

 

[Glug]

Yep, that's the sort of gauge I remember, fairly certain it responds to the current treble register switch choice.
Can't see why it's really needed, unless the treble register switch is a toggle maybe.
Do a picture of the register switches.

 

[JulesMartin]

Vintage Moreschi & Sons Accordion, Made in Italy, Free Shipping | eBay

There's a little bit of deterioration of the cloth material behind the carved panel (see close-up pic).

www.ebay.co.uk

Sorry about the long url string, this is for sale on Ebay, I can't see a picture of any register switches, or any register switches for that matter.

 

[Glug]

Here's a similar model: https://reverb.com/en-be/item/15094...-34-student-intermediate-size-20-14-accordion
Which seems to have the P/F meter



The description says "1 treble select".
It's possible the switch is actually on the back of the keyboard (and operated using the thumb).

 

[JulesMartin]

Here's a similar model: https://reverb.com/en-be/item/15094...-34-student-intermediate-size-20-14-accordion
Which seems to have the P/F meter



The description says "1 treble select".
It's possible the switch is actually on the back of the keyboard (and operated using the thumb).

if its a treble select then does the P and F stand for Piccolo and Flute maybe? rather than quiet and loud. Odd design though if it is as it looks as though it is showing degrees. Seems to be only on vintage instruments

 

[Pipemajor]

You're all wrong. It's a fuel gauge

 

[Ffingers]

You're all wrong. It's a fuel gauge

On an ex-military bayan it is a %alcohol vodka indicator.

 

[boxplayer4000]

I've got to go along the line of Pipemajor and Ffingers: It's definitely a gauge; probably indicating that your glass is empty (again).

 

[Glug]

It's also possible it's to make sure you're playing too loud (F).

Edit: The 2/3 version is probably the number of treble reeds playing, so similar to P/F.

 

[Alan Polivka]

Usually, these gages indicate whether or not the lowest octave ("bassoon") reeds are engaged. It's safe to say that's what it indicates on this accordion. Now for some speculation ... I'm guessing that the original guess as to what P and F stand for was correct: P for piano (bassoon reeds disengaged, so the accordion is not as loud), F for forte (all reeds engaged).

 

[belsmith]

I can't find one with P and F on but now wondering if its the names of the different 'voices'?

Accordion is probably an LMM voicing. The Gauge is showing weather you are using 2 or 3 voices.
You will hear the difference when you switch between the two.

 

[murathan]

So the screen on Rolands is not a new idea

 

[JCarl]

I hereby say that’s the coolest thing I think I’ve seen on an accordion

 

[Squeezebox Of Delights]

I do love accordions with gauges on, even if they are a little redundant. My Frontalini Odeon has three!

 

[JCarl]

and so the accordioiniction begins...i may need one of these in the future...