What do folks think of the Serenellini Regina Gold 37/96 vs the Petosa 950am? Any other recs?

[Jennyt4778]

I must have been one of the few that had a bad experience with LB. I purchased a new accordion and it arrived with significant damage. My opinion is that the accordion was damaged before they shipped it. Even though the accordion was "new" it had been on their showroom floor for over a year before I bought it. The damage looked as though the accordion had been dropped. They offered me an insignificant discount if I kept the instrument. I declined and sent it back for a full refund. I am guessing they repaired the damage as a few weeks after I returned it, the accordion was back on their website, but with no mention that the accordion had been damaged.

I have two Beltuna 96 bass accordions. A Euro IV and a custom 96 bass accordion that I special ordered through John Castiglione. The custom accordion has the same walnut root finish as the accordion you are considering. The finish is excellent and not at all fragile. I believe they use a type of epoxy coating to give it a hard finish. Beltuna is an excellent brand. The only reason that I personally wouldn't want the Beltuna you are considering is because it has a smaller than standard size keyboard. A standard 37 key is 17.75". The Beltuna you are looking at, according to the website, is 17". Depending on your hand size, this could actually benefit you. For me, I wouldn't consider an accordion with a small scale keyboard.

You are not close, but not that far from Seattle (less than 3 hour drive?). You might want to look at the Petosa Artista which is 37/96. These models do no not have a tone chamber. Are you sure that you want an accordion with a tone chamber? The big advantage of dealing with Petosa is they provide excellent service, are extremely reputable, and have been in business for 100 years. Their new accordions come with: 10 day trial, lifetime maintenance, 10 year warranty, and reed guarantee. The Petosa Artista has hand made reeds and is 3 lbs lighter than the Beltuna.
I really like Beltuna accordions, but I won't do business with LB in the future.

Artista (37/96 LMMH)

Details Lightweight, powerful, and versatile... The Artista Classic reed configuration (LMMH) offers a traditional style instrument in a modern build with the quality expected from petosa. Featuring Mahogany reed blocks and box construction, all calfskin reed leathers, and special felted petosa...

petosa.com

Thank you for your thoughts and considerations- all truly said. Yes, I should drive up to Seattle soon, esp after what you said about Liberty Bellows… plus they are so far away from me, I’m basically not in a good place to go in person to bring up concerns if they arise. Wondering if quality control with Beltuna has been improved since the “toxic solvent issue” mentioned in a previous thread also makes me nervous.

 

[Jennyt4778]

Thank you for your thoughts and considerations- all truly said. Yes, I should drive up to Seattle soon, esp after what you said about Liberty Bellows… plus they are so far away from me, I’m basically not in a good place to go in person to bring up concerns if they arise. Wondering if quality control with Beltuna has been improved since the “toxic solvent issue” mentioned in a previous thread also makes me nervous.

But then several folks have had good experiences with LB, so I guess it just depends on my risk tolerance!

 

[Ventura]

Makes me a little nervous about Beltuna now.

that was his intent, and sadly that is how the Internet works

 

[OuijaBoard]

Thank you for your thoughts and considerations- all truly said. Yes, I should drive up to Seattle soon, esp after what you said about Liberty Bellows… plus they are so far away from me, I’m basically not in a good place to go in person to bring up concerns if they arise. Wondering if quality control with Beltuna has been improved since the “toxic solvent issue” mentioned in a previous thread also makes me nervous.

I honestly believe it was specific to that model, maybe even to my instrument. If you look at photos of their "Studio" models, there is a design formed by color on the outer bellows edges. Usually that is done with contrast-color bellows tape. But on these it looks like it was applied with spray paint. Other models they put out don't have this. Even some Studio models don't have the painted design, some are just a plain red bellows with no design on the outer edges.

I'm editing to add, it isn't a hidden or silent issue-- if you try a lovely Beltuna and a strong aroma like turpentine or Killz paint primer isn't emanating from the bellows when open, and to be extra sure you put your nose to the bellows front and back and sense nothing different from any new accordion bellows, you're fine. I do suspect it's related to that spray paint design. And I love the reeds, whatever they are-- they weren't specc'd as hand or TAM, but it's a big, bright, powerful sound and fast response.

 

[OuijaBoard]

that was his intent, and sadly that is how the Internet works

You have no knowledge of my "intent," but you seem unable to control yourself, or to contain your penchant for ad hominem snideness.

 

[Walker]

Unless a person is very experienced and has a crystal clear idea of exactly what they want to buy, it is far better to keep an open mind, go to the shop in person and play many instruments. Sometimes the accordions you think aren't as good can pleasantly surprise you and the instruments you think will be great can disappoint. Certainly listen to the thoughts and perspectives of others, including the people here, but at the end of the day you need to listen to your own personal analysis following your actual interactions with the accordions.

Also, always keep in the back of your mind - accordion sales assistants are there to sell accordions. No matter how well they might play the accordion or how friendly they seem, their motivation is to sell. That's not a bad thing, it's just their job. However, a good sales assistant will certainly try to help you find what you are looking for, rather than what they like best. Again, I repeat, listen to others but trust your own feelings.

At the end of the day the "X versus Y game" isn't that helpful because there isn't actually a "best" accordion - only a best accordion for you. All accordions are different and many instruments will be preferred by different accordionists for a variety of personal reasons. The key is to find the accordion that suits the sound, style and feel of what you want. This is more important than buying what might be the mythical Queen of accordions.​

 

[PhiliGol]

Certainly listen to the thoughts and perspectives of others, including the people here, but at the end of the day you need to listen to your own personal analysis following your actual interactions with the accordions.

I fully agree to Walker's summary.
At the end of the day it's pure personal decision - it's YOU who need to like the sound, the handling and (of course) the price of the instrument.
You can get a ton of advices and recommendations - everyone has a different personal preference, therefore I'd also recommend: play as many instruments you can get hold of (of course you may do a pre-selection based on web-research/recommendations) and make your own (belly) choice - it will be always the most pleasing decision.

 

[OuijaBoard]

It's tough. An accordion in this class is a big outlay and a big decision for most people. The input advising in-person tryouts as the optimal way to discern the best fit for you, is one hundred percent on the mark.

Yet at the same time there are so very few sources available where one can do this with a variety of different instruments for comparison. For many people in the continental US it means a substantial travel investment that for some may eat into the purchase fund. Even with a tryout period if buying long distance, you face the headache, expense, and risks of return shipping if an instrument doesn't suit. So it's totally understandable and reasonable to engage in a due diligence and research process that includes seeking input from fellow travelers about their experiences and insights. It's just that, when all is said and done, between several examples in perfect condition, the "best" one will only be the best one for you.

If it's any comfort, the dilemma is much, much tougher for people who fall in love with concertina.

 

[breezybellows]

I must have been one of the few that had a bad experience with LB. I purchased a new accordion and it arrived with significant damage. My opinion is that the accordion was damaged before they shipped it. Even though the accordion was "new" it had been on their showroom floor for over a year before I bought it. The damage looked as though the accordion had been dropped. They offered me an insignificant discount if I kept the instrument. I declined and sent it back for a full refund. I am guessing they repaired the damage as a few weeks after I returned it, the accordion was back on their website, but with no mention that the accordion had been damaged.

I have two Beltuna 96 bass accordions. A Euro IV and a custom 96 bass accordion that I special ordered through John Castiglione. The custom accordion has the same walnut root finish as the accordion you are considering. The finish is excellent and not at all fragile. I believe they use a type of epoxy coating to give it a hard finish. Beltuna is an excellent brand. The only reason that I personally wouldn't want the Beltuna you are considering is because it has a smaller than standard size keyboard. A standard 37 key is 17.75". The Beltuna you are looking at, according to the website, is 17". Depending on your hand size, this could actually benefit you. For me, I wouldn't consider an accordion with a small scale keyboard.

You are not close, but not that far from Seattle (less than 3 hour drive?). You might want to look at the Petosa Artista which is 37/96. These models do no not have a tone chamber. Are you sure that you want an accordion with a tone chamber? The big advantage of dealing with Petosa is they provide excellent service, are extremely reputable, and have been in business for 100 years. Their new accordions come with: 10 day trial, lifetime maintenance, 10 year warranty, and reed guarantee. The Petosa Artista has hand made reeds and is 3 lbs lighter than the Beltuna.
I really like Beltuna accordions, but I won't do business with LB in the future.

Artista (37/96 LMMH)

Details Lightweight, powerful, and versatile... The Artista Classic reed configuration (LMMH) offers a traditional style instrument in a modern build with the quality expected from petosa. Featuring Mahogany reed blocks and box construction, all calfskin reed leathers, and special felted petosa...

petosa.com

You are not the only one that I know that had a poor experience with liberty bellows. I've dealt with them in several occasions. All of the transactions have been smooth.

But several of my accordion contacts had not so nice transactions with them. "Stay away from them" is something that the different individuals have told me. I did hear some horror stories regarding the post sale support and shoddy repair work on old Accordions. One of the accordions was a brand new Scandalli super VI that my friend ended up returning. Another had a brand new Beltuna that had to get shipped back and forth for repairs without getting rectified. They finally had to ship it back to Italy to the factory to get it fixed.

Petosa is more expensive (I wish they were cheaper). But other than the price, I have nothing but nice things to say about their products and service. I own five Petosa Accordions (4 me and one pre owned) and they are fantastic products. One of those is a AM-950 which has a fantastic sound.

Although they are made in the same zero sette factory as Bugari, I haven't heard a single complaint about their product or service so far. You can find an old post in this site where Kimric Smythe talks about how an accordion dealership in Berkeley went out of business because of how unsustainable it was to do repair work on some of the Bugaris from the early 2000s. Given Bugari's stellar reputation, this story seemed odd. Last month my teacher mentioned that he used to work for that shop that Kimric mentioned. He confirmed that the story about quality issues on the Bugari were true. But he said that wasn't the reason the shop went out of business.

 

[breezybellows]

It's tough. An accordion in this class is a big outlay and a big decision for most people. The input advising in-person tryouts as the optimal way to discern the best fit for you, is one hundred percent on the mark.

Yet at the same time there are so very few sources available where one can do this with a variety of different instruments for comparison. For many people in the continental US it means a substantial travel investment that for some may eat into the purchase fund. Even with a tryout period if buying long distance, you face the headache, expense, and risks of return shipping if an instrument doesn't suit. So it's totally understandable and reasonable to engage in a due diligence and research process that includes seeking input from fellow travelers about their experiences and insights. It's just that, when all is said and done, between several examples in perfect condition, the "best" one will only be the best one for you.

If it's any comfort, the dilemma is much, much tougher for people who fall in love with concertina.

I'll go even further to state that even in person try outs are not sufficient. From my experience, it takes around 1-2 months of ownership to decide what I like ity not like about an accordion. But unfortunately that's not an option.

 

[PhiliGol]

I'll go even further to state that even in person try outs are not sufficient. From my experience, it takes around 1-2 months of ownership to decide what I like ity not like about an accordion. But unfortunately that's not an option.

I wouldn't necessarily agree - there's definitely something like a "love at 1st sight" when take the time and start search "your" instrument.

 

[breezybellows]

I wouldn't necessarily agree - there's definitely something like a "love at 1st sight" when take the time and start search "your" instrument.

I've lost count of how many times I've loved an accordion when I try it out but end up not liking it after playing for a few weeks.

For me 10-20 minutes to try out an accordion is too short.

 

[PhiliGol]

I've lost count of how many times I've loved an accordion when I try it out but end up not liking it after playing for a few weeks.

For me 10-20 minutes to try out an accordion is too short.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.
Yes of course it's not a matter of few minutes but several hours to discover this is the instrument you were looking for.

Greetings to CA - miss SD and hope to return one day

 

[colinm]

I'll go even further to state that even in person try outs are not sufficient. From my experience, it takes around 1-2 months of ownership to decide what I like ity not like about an accordion. But unfortunately that's not an option.

I agree with 1 to 2 months to make an assessment, it takes days to get the straps adjusted , if you just play it for 10 minutes , beware, you will find fault with it at home

 

[saundersbp]

I'll go even further to state that even in person try outs are not sufficient. From my experience, it takes around 1-2 months of ownership to decide what I like ity not like about an accordion. But unfortunately that's not an option.

I completely agree. And of course its one of those instruments that can sound very different when you listen to it in an audience compared to the sound you get as a player. I've had accordions when I've been convinced the bass is too loud, only to find out that actually it balances perfectly when heard from 10m away. I should remember what my organ teacher always said - your ears need to be in the room, not at the instrument. Wise words as the important thing is the listener in music making.

 

[breezybellows]

I completely agree. And of course its one of those instruments that can sound very different when you listen to it in an audience compared to the sound you get as a player. I've had accordions when I've been convinced the bass is too loud, only to find out that actually it balances perfectly when heard from 10m away. I should remember what my organ teacher always said - your ears need to be in the room, not at the instrument. Wise words as the important thing is the listener in music making.

It's tragic that you never get to hear the best sounds when you're playing it. It sounds much better when you stand in front of the instrument.