Wondering about my accordion journey past the old beginner/student models

[Newbie]

As I learn more about accordion models, price, reeds, musette tuning, wet-dry tuning and so on I begin to wonder how I will ever decide what my next step up should be past my 2 reed accordion, it seems overwhelming. Some of the older refurbished models online and in shops are now at least 60 years old if built in the 60's and still sell for in the thousands of dollars (US). The closest accordion shop is an 8-hour drive from where I live. I know Chinese models are buyer beware. It kind of reminds me of when I was shopping for a new sewing machine a few years ago, they all have retained their country of origin name but, are all made in the far east.

US peeps, is Mahler Music in Minnesota still in business? I checked their website and FB, nothing appears to be current. Thanks!

 

[Tom]

Hi Newbie!

Nothing available in Kansas City? There may be someone hiding in the woodwork, you never know. I notice a quick google search brings up references to a couple accordion orchestras and repairers, although these may be old links.

We were just mentioning Mahler Music (Accordion Heaven). I hope they are still around. I’ve been there, bought parts, not an accordion. I don’t know Mr. Mahler personally but I get the impression he really knows what he’s doing in terms of repair and tuning. He imports his own “Planet” branded accordions (I don’t know the builder). They are expensive but beautiful. Anyone I’ve met that plays them loves them. He also has a lot of used, refurbished accordions. Definitely a good place to check out.

If you do decide to go to the Twin Cities, pm me for the name of another guy who is off the radar but may have something you’re looking for. (As might I.)

Also, Romagnoli outside Chicago may be closer to you. I haven’t been there but have heard good things.

Good luck!!!!!!

 

[Ventura]

yes the technical choices can be overwhelming

so i suggest you work from a purpose position, meaning what kind/type of Music
do you wish to play, to focus on, to get good at, and it might be easier
to then define an accordion that suits and will enhance/support that need

the more you can define this the better

of course, one can also say any wonderful accordion will take you in new directions
you had not yet imagined

but without a mentor you can rely upon and who could spend time
helping you navigate the used market, i understand you may only be able
to afford one at this time, so that one must be a good and careful choice
as you will have to live with it for some time, and the selection of reed-sets
and the tuning thereof is many and varied and confusing

much advise will be based on what other people like, it can be difficult
to get people to "hear" you and keep your position in mind when they
make recommendations

having said all that, there are still many used full size accordions in the USA
with the most popular choice of LMMH reedsets and tuned mildly for general purpose.
Most are standard quality reeds, most have 9 shifts, no tone chamber,
and 7 shifts on the bass side. In the $1000 price range generally when they are sold
by the current owner who inherited it.
The brand name, at this level and price, does not matter very much..
the condition is everything
Many of these are still in nice condition and without tone chamber

in your area, there was only one (possibly) decent used box listed,

Accordion. Acordian - musical instruments - by owner - sale - craigslist

Black Pancordion Crucianelli Piano Accordion, Tuning was converted to LMMM 40 120. LMMM. Looks a little rough but still plays well. Microphones. Comes with new gig bag. If it's still listed it's...

lawrence.craigslist.org

at a low price for the features, that i could find, but it has been up for 2 months
so it could be gone by now. it is LMMM so will likely be a strong musette
more for ethnic music

good luck

 

[dak]

As I learn more about accordion models, price, reeds, musette tuning, wet-dry tuning and so on I begin to wonder how I will ever decide what my next step up should be past my 2 reed accordion, it seems overwhelming. Some of the older refurbished models online and in shops are now at least 60 years old if built in the 60's and still sell for in the thousands of dollars (US). The closest accordion shop is an 8-hour drive from where I live. I know Chinese models are buyer beware. It kind of reminds me of when I was shopping for a new sewing machine a few years ago, they all have retained their country of origin name but, are all made in the far east.

US peeps, is Mahler Music in Minnesota still in business? I checked their website and FB, nothing appears to be current. Thanks!

I would skip the accordion shop for now. For a new larger instrument, you need to put down big amounts of money and then it makes sense that you have a pretty good idea of what you want and whether some instrument in your hands matches that desire. Instead focus on preowned instruments in your area that you can test-play and get a reasonable impression about whether or not they may be worth the asking price in their current state. Because then you can get acquainted with them and can ultimately decide to resell them without much of a loss. The moment you invest significantly in repairs or tuning, there is no way you'll get back something close to the total amount of money you put in: everybody underestimates the cost for accordion maintenance.

At some point of time you may decide some instrument is worth this investment to you. Particularly if you find that a new instrument doesn't knock your socks off in the way the old detuned thing does.

Related to the size decision is whether it may be worth taking a look at chromatic button instruments: more compact (good at young or old age or when playing standing), nicer to play by ear, not as nice to play by score sheet. When you intend to go into classical music, the larger possible ranges are attractive. For band performance, the compact size is nice. Whether it makes sense to venture there also depends on teachers willing or able to work with you on that.

There is a reason almost everybody on this forum will tell you that they "have too many accordions". It's just something that happens while one finds one's own musical way.

 

[Newbie]

Hi Newbie!

Nothing available in Kansas City? There may be someone hiding in the woodwork, you never know. I notice a quick google search brings up references to a couple accordion orchestras and repairers, although these may be old links.

We were just mentioning Mahler Music (Accordion Heaven). I hope they are still around. I’ve been there, bought parts, not an accordion. I don’t know Mr. Mahler personally but I get the impression he really knows what he’s doing in terms of repair and tuning. He imports his own “Planet” branded accordions (I don’t know the builder). They are expensive but beautiful. Anyone I’ve met that plays them loves them. He also has a lot of used, refurbished accordions. Definitely a good place to check out.

If you do decide to go to the Twin Cities, pm me for the name of another guy who is off the radar but may have something you’re looking for. (As might I.)

Also, Romagnoli outside Chicago may be closer to you. I haven’t been there but have heard good things.

Good luck!!!!!!

The retired pastor that I bought my accordion from is an accomplished player and does engagements and other playing opportunities around the area. He and his family lived in Chicago area for some time when he had a parish there and he does business with Romagnoli.

 

[Newbie]

I would skip the accordion shop for now. For a new larger instrument, you need to put down big amounts of money and then it makes sense that you have a pretty good idea of what you want and whether some instrument in your hands matches that desire. Instead focus on preowned instruments in your area that you can test-play and get a reasonable impression about whether or not they may be worth the asking price in their current state. Because then you can get acquainted with them and can ultimately decide to resell them without much of a loss. The moment you invest significantly in repairs or tuning, there is no way you'll get back something close to the total amount of money you put in: everybody underestimates the cost for accordion maintenance.

At some point of time you may decide some instrument is worth this investment to you. Particularly if you find that a new instrument doesn't knock your socks off in the way the old detuned thing does.

Related to the size decision is whether it may be worth taking a look at chromatic button instruments: more compact (good at young or old age or when playing standing), nicer to play by ear, not as nice to play by score sheet. When you intend to go into classical music, the larger possible ranges are attractive. For band performance, the compact size is nice. Whether it makes sense to venture there also depends on teachers willing or able to work with you on that.

There is a reason almost everybody on this forum will tell you that they "have too many accordions". It's just something that happens while one finds one's own musical way.

Thank you, dak. Too bad I didn't have the accordion bug when I was in Germany 20 years ago! At my age I believe, and who knows, I will mostly be playing for my pleasure, retirement communities, church, Christmas carols and possibly something else I haven't thought of yet.

 

[Mike t.]

I would have to make that 8hr drive, when the weather is good! And call ahead and schedule a meeting, drive a day early staying in a motel, then next morning test drive a bunch new and used. The one time I’ve been in an accordion shop 40 years ago I’ll never forget. I didn’t buy anything but made a favorites list, I was young and broke but they let me play all those 5-6k accordions and were very nice. 3 years ago my kids got one of those refurbished 1970s accordions, plus my my daughter bought one also, (from the same shop). I remember the sound differences were amazing plus the bellows were so responsive? Make sure you bring music to play. Have fun!

 

[Newbie]

yes the technical choices can be overwhelming

so i suggest you work from a purpose position, meaning what kind/type of Music
do you wish to play, to focus on, to get good at, and it might be easier
to then define an accordion that suits and will enhance/support that need

the more you can define this the better

of course, one can also say any wonderful accordion will take you in new directions
you had not yet imagined

but without a mentor you can rely upon and who could spend time
helping you navigate the used market, i understand you may only be able
to afford one at this time, so that one must be a good and careful choice
as you will have to live with it for some time, and the selection of reed-sets
and the tuning thereof is many and varied and confusing

much advise will be based on what other people like, it can be difficult
to get people to "hear" you and keep your position in mind when they
make recommendations

having said all that, there are still many used full size accordions in the USA
with the most popular choice of LMMH reedsets and tuned mildly for general purpose.
Most are standard quality reeds, most have 9 shifts, no tone chamber,
and 7 shifts on the bass side. In the $1000 price range generally when they are sold
by the current owner who inherited it.
The brand name, at this level and price, does not matter very much..
the condition is everything
Many of these are still in nice condition and without tone chamber

in your area, there was only one (possibly) decent used box listed,

Accordion. Acordian - musical instruments - by owner - sale - craigslist

Black Pancordion Crucianelli Piano Accordion, Tuning was converted to LMMM 40 120. LMMM. Looks a little rough but still plays well. Microphones. Comes with new gig bag. If it's still listed it's...

lawrence.craigslist.org

at a low price for the features, that i could find, but it has been up for 2 months
so it could be gone by now. it is LMMM so will likely be a strong musette
more for ethnic music

good luck

Hello Ventura,
I reached out to that Lawrence Kansas listing. It so turns out that the seller Billy Ebeling is a Facebook friend with my sister-in-law's husband, who plays some side gigs in KC. Billy has a band mainly blues and Cajun that plays at Knuckleheads in KC and other places. Billy is multi-talented in that he plays accordion, keyboards, harmonica, steel guitar, banjo, and guitar. He has 8 accordions and decided to let this one go. I am going to follow up with him on Sunday. He also gave me the name of a local man in Lawrence, KS that works on accordions and has a few for sale. I will attempt to attach a link that shows him playing the listed accordion with his band. If you scroll down on his music tab you will come to a couple of videos of him playing the accordion he has listed.

• BILLY EBELING - KANSAS CITY MUSICIAN

 

[Ventura]

glad to hear you made a useful connection out of this,
and maybe end up with an affordable next step as well
as some reasonably local help

 

[Dingo40]

I begin to wonder how I will ever decide what my next step up should be past my 2 reed accordion, it seems overwhelming.

In retrospect, how many of us really, actually need more than that?

 

[Ikesaccordions]

Good accordions are scarce in playable condition, and what size and weight is best for you.

 

[Newbie]

Good accordions are scarce in playable condition, and what size and weight is best for you.

I purchased a used crucanelli/pancordion from a guy that plays professionally. It plays well and looks rough. I am wondering how to polish it up a bit without all of the sandings and buffing?

 

[Ikesaccordions]

I purchased a used crucanelli/pancordion from a guy that plays professionally. It plays well and looks rough. I am wondering how to polish it up a bit without all of the sandings and buffing?

It will look a lot better if you just shine it up. I often use naphtha for cleaning, and have had fair results using Brasso to polish accordion plastic.
Meguiar's Mirror Glaze is a good plastic polish.

 

[Newbie]

It will look a lot better if you just shine it up. I often use naphtha for cleaning, and have had fair results using Brasso to polish accordion plastic.
Meguiar's Mirror Glaze is a good plastic polish.

Thank you for the info.