VINTAGE PAOLO SOPRANI

[Marian Gaynor]

Delighted to find this forum. A newby - endeavour to find out any information about my 120 bass Paolo Soprani Piano Accordian, which I have had since I was in my twenties bought 2nd hand, so most certainly over 50 years old. I have been searching the grid patterns to see if I could age the instrument. Any ideas or help in this regard would be so gratefully received.

 

[JerryPH]

It doesn't have the waterfall keys so its newer than the 40's. By the grill design, I'd say its from the 60's. In good condition and cared for, these can have a lovely sound and are definitely worth playing. Judging by the severely yellowed keys, she's seen her share of sun.

 

[Tom]

Welcome Marian! What a beautiful accordion.

 

[Marian Gaynor]

It doesn't have the waterfall keys so its newer than the 40's. By the grill design, I'd say its from the 60's. In good condition and cared for, these can have a lovely sound and are definitely worth playing. Judging by the severely yellowed keys, she's seen her share of sun.

Appreciate your feedback Jerry and thank you. Sounds about right. Have no idea why the keys have discoloured but most certainly not in the sunshine. In fact has been in a hard case for the last thirty years or more. Wonder if they can restored back to white!!

 

[Alan Sharkis]

I hope one of the accordion repair people at this site can confirm what I’m about to say. I followed the comments on key-whitening on another forum and sad to say, the process involves removing the keys because they must be wet-sanded and polished and getting water between the keys while they’re still in the accordion would cause the wood to swell and the keys to stick. That makes it an expensive process.

 

[Ventura]

some key plastic back then was mixed with a creamy colored tint, and
then sometimes also given a darker, random grain as well
(in the mix as it was laid)

sort of imitating Ivory

and also some plastics merely go ivory with age..
certain Gibson's with (now) ivory looking pickguards
and top nuts are highly prized by collectors

anyhow, if you pull a single key someday to check, look if the underside of
one key is exposed enough to see the original color, and if it is also ivoryish,
fugghedabout whitening

 

[Tom]

People pay a lot of money to get that vintage look! You got it free, enjoy!

 

[Dingo40]

Welcome Marian!
Forget about whitening: any kind of whitening is ultimately likely to be damaging.
The keys look great!
You have a "full musette" layout of the treble (ie with three middle voices): four voices in all (arranged Low, Middle, Middle, Middle). Nice!
Play and enjoy.

 

[JerryPH]

Appreciate your feedback Jerry and thank you. Sounds about right. Have no idea why the keys have discoloured but most certainly not in the sunshine. In fact has been in a hard case for the last thirty years or more. Wonder if they can restored back to white!!

Some manufacturers actually make the keys “creamier” on purpose. The discolouration, part of the charm of this accordion. If anything, I would spend money on the inside, at that age most need leathers, wax and a good tune.

 

[boxplayer4000]

Marian,
Your long association and admiration for your instrument is commendable. I suspect, as suggested above, the keys were probably 'creamier' in the first place and apart from simply cleaning them I would encourage you just to live with them as they are.
Also, as suggested above, money should be spent on the inside (mostly reed wax, leathers, tuning). This won't be cheap but you should finish up with an accordion with a sound and quality ahead of many current instruments costing much more.

 

[Rocky]

Delighted to find this forum. A newby - endeavour to find out any information about my 120 bass Paolo Soprani Piano Accordian, which I have had since I was in my twenties bought 2nd hand, so most certainly over 50 years old. I have been searching the grid patterns to see if I could age the instrument. Any ideas or help in this regard would be so gratefully received.

 

[Rocky]

I just bought this Paolo Soprani CBA and it has the same grille. Assumed it was from late 50's or 60's. Doesn't have the Blue Badge as someone has fixed one that isn't original!

 

[JIM D.]

The Paolo Soprani PA at the beginning of this tread is a late 50's to mid 70's.
& looks well taken care of for it's age.

 

[Marian Gaynor]

Thank you so much everyone for such extensive information, far exceeded my expectations. Can't believe it is so old and in such good nick; I totally agree with NOT touching the keys, love the vintage look. Touching 70 now, I'm afraid my playing days are over as it's way too heavy for me, so hopefully will be able to sell it on to someone who will really appreciate the quality of the instrument and enjoy playing it.

 

[Deleted member 2438]

How interesting! The Brazilians paint all the keys yellowish! lol.
Actually Scandalli Super VI from the 50-60s have yellowish keys.
I would leave it as it is, before I spent money to tune and check it.

 

[JerryPH]

There is even a model of the Soprani Super VI with off-white colored keys brand new out of the factory and has a 5-digit price. Paul had it at his museum and I had a chance to play pre-covid... marvelous.