What does cassotto actually sound like?

[wirralaccordion]

I see a lot of posts about the theory of cassotto but what does it sound like? Is this accordion cassotto and if not could you post a link to an accordion that is please?

 

[Dingo40]

what does it sound like?

Not much use asking me!
Although I do own a double casotto Bugari Champion myself, I can't say the difference in sound is life changing : certainly, not as much as the difference in price!
Also, eventually there will be a big difference in cost of maintenance, and that's providing you can find someone to do it!
Here's a clip on the topic:

accordion with casotto - Google Search

 

[losthobos]

Honey in velvet....the change from a growl to a purr....

 

[pitzelberger]

Is this accordion cassotto

The S4 has cassotto and the one in the video also has a rather dry tuned MM register, which is what you hear in the video. Thus we hear the M is in the cassotto and the one outside of the cassotto at the same time.

 

[pitzelberger]

In the beginning of this video you can hear the L register, which is in the cassotto

I like the recording setup of the person doing the video. I think it contributes well to giving the accordion a clean and warm sound.

 

[Dingo40]

Here's our member Big Squeezy Accordions demonstrating a high end Italian made LMMH with double casotto (L & M) and hand made reeds. You'll need to listen for and sift out the "in" casotto from the "out of" casotto registers.
I think I can manage to hear the difference: all very nice but...does it really matter?

 

[debra]

I can understand that the sound alone can cause confusion as to what is cassotto and what is not.
In an accordion with cassotto typically the low and middle reeds have their sound go through a "chamber" instead of straight to the outside. The construction of the chamber has very significant influence on what happens to the sound. The cassotto amplifies the base frequency of the notes and dampens the higher harmonics. When you just hear one accordion that "amplification" may not be immediately obvious and what you hear most is the dampening of the harmonics. Some accordions come with a "sordino" that kinda muffles the sound. The sordino creates a chamber under the grille so the effect on the tone is a bit similar to what you hear from a cassotto, but the sound has more difficulty coming out (because it is "trapped" in that sordino chamber.
The construction of a cassotto has great influence on the sound so every accordion with a cassotto will have a very different sound. Some have a fairly "open" cassotto, which reduces the effect but makes the sound of the reeds inside and outside the cassotto blend nicely together. The Hohner Morino M series is often praised for its sound. The sound of the cassotto comes out openly and blends well with the other reeds. Other accordions may have a "darker" sound, with more amplification of the base frequency and more dampening of the harmonics. The Weltmeister Supita surprised me by having a very "dark" cassotto. Sounds great in low an middle reeds, but not so nice with an MM register (one M is in cassotto and the other outside).
I have several accordions, including 4 with cassotto, and the sound is different on all 4. The difference is most noticeable when playing MM, not because of differences in tuning but because of how the M inside cassotto blends with the M outside.

 

[saundersbp]

I see a lot of posts about the theory of cassotto but what does it sound like?

I'd best describe the sound as mushroomy.

 

[Tom]

More mellow, “wider” “rounder” “gentler” sound. Hard to define, like defining the taste of wine with words. Is it cool? Yes! Is it necessary? No. Will it make you a “better” accordionist? Maybe, if it keeps you playing and listening more.

For ME the sound of the music is 95%, the sound of the accordion is 5%. Unless it’s REALLY bad….. js’.

 

[John M]

I'd best describe the sound as mushroomy.

I think it's the tone/sound you want to get from your accordion -- you can't have your cake and eat it too (except switch to reeds that are out of cassotto). If you want that nice smooth cassotto -- jazz sound that Art Van Damn does on slow tunes, then this fits. If you are going to play something that is fast, that has a "bite" to it that is "bright", then I don't think you want cassotto, since, I think there is a sound delay going through the cassotto chamber that will make it sound "mushroomy".