Home  Discussion Forums
Want info on an inherited accordion (1 viewing) (1) Guest
-
oettingm
-
- OFFLINE
-
Fresh Boarder
-
- Posts: 1
-
Karma: 0
-
|
I am a folk and bluegrass musician who plays guitar, banjo, dulcimer, piano, etc. And I am FORTUNATE to have inherited my mother-in-law's accordion. I vowed to learn to play it, in her honor. My first question, what kind do I have and is it valuable? The brand name on it is "BONTEMPI UBALDO CASTELFIDARDO" which I know means it is an Italian box. It has a three-octave keyboard, and has 80 buttons, in rows of 5. It also has one switch on the keyboard side. It has all the straps, good hard case, etc., and from what I can tell it works perfectly. The bellows is in good shape, the buttons work, and it sounds just like an accordion (played by someone who hasn't learned yet) should sound. So IS this a good accordion? Highly valuable? And what book or web site do you suggest I consider to learn basics, especially songs like Jambalaya. I am a self-taught musician so I can probably figure it out I just need a good source. Look forward to information from this group!
|
|
|
-
geo
-
- OFFLINE
-
Platinum Boarder
-
- Posts: 649
-
Karma: 7
-
|
It`s a student accordion and rather doubtful that the accordion has a great deal of monetary value especially with only 80 bass and only one switch on the keyboard side.
However this is pretty much irrelevent if it`s in good playable condition and you are looking to learn to play it.
If you really want to get an idea of it`s value, you could check the "asking" and "sold prices" of similar accordions on Ebay.
|
|
Last Edit: 11 months ago by geo.
|
-
edward12
-
- OFFLINE
-
Expert Boarder
-
- Posts: 90
-
Karma: 0
-
|
If you are a adult, ie 14 or older, you need a full size acc if you want too play pro, its ok if you just want to tinker around with it 80 bass is dif a model for a lil kid under age 12, i can say this as i had a good acc teacher, he told me all about this stuff, i started lessons at age 10 and on a full size box, ie 19 & qt inch keyboard acc,, most acc on the net like e bay have boxes a dime a dozen and most of them are student or girl size accordions, ie 18 inch key boards or less, but many advertise them as full size, if it don,t have 120 basses or a 19 inch keyboard then its not a full size adult mans box, not saying this as prejudise bujt most girls have smaller finger, thats why they are called a ladies size accordion, don,t ever be fooled about how many sets of reeds a box has, if that keyboard is not 19 inches or more and less than 120 basses then its not a full size accordion, some girl size accordions do have 120 basses, but that don,t make the box a full size,,, its the leanth of the g clef keyboard that tells the tell, 19 or more inches is a adult accordion anything less is a girl 3/4 size box,, thats why you see so many of those girl size accordions on the net for sale,, they basic can,t sale them to a adult player unless you are dumb and don,t know what you are buying.
|
|
|
-
geo
-
- OFFLINE
-
Platinum Boarder
-
- Posts: 649
-
Karma: 7
-
|
Hi Edward,
Could it be possible that your accordion teacher might have given you some erroneous information and an accordion that could have been too big for you at 10 yrs old (depending on your size). One size does not fit all and a 19" keyboard isn`t always the must have length for everyone.
Accordions come in all sizes and flavors for good reasons. While we can freely throw out recommendations to a young / budding player who has no idea what to buy , I don`t think anyone of us can say what accordion is the most suitable for a more skilled or professional player. It`s going to depend on the individual`s preference based on his particular music and style and what size accordion and number of keys and buttons he needs and feels comfortable with.
One of my personal players is a Roland FR3X with an 18" keyboard ,37 treble keys ,and 120 bass but the keys are full width sized and the bass buttons are as widely spaced as the ones on my full sized Giulietti 115. Having sausage sized fingers I need full sized keys and buttons.
However, there are many smaller fingered adult players , amateur and professional alike who do quite well with a shorter keyboard with 41 narrow treble keys and 120 slightly cramped bass buttons.
Sure, most of the smaller accordions do have less reed sets but there are some good ones that do have 3 and 4 treble reed sets but a good player doesn`t depend on the amount of reed sets to make up for his playing skills. I know a couple of good pro players that use these smaller boxes to their advantage and with great results.
Most of us know the differences between a professional accordion and a student or ladies model but we should also realize that most of these 2/3 reed student, ladies , and smaller boxes (made in Italy) are good enough to be played by any professional.
Let me add this: Any need for more keys and bass buttons , more reed sets ,or a longer keyboard will usually become obvious to a student or his teacher as he progresses or adopts a particular style of music.
Also pushing an accordion that`s sized wrong for the person or his ability can dampen his enthusiasm and ability to learn to play. I think it`s more important he gets an instrument he can handle and feels comfortable with.
|
|
Last Edit: 10 months, 1 week ago by geo.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Lorretta |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Latest Forum Topics |
-
-
-
Freebie Olde tyme accordion tutor
- I have been searching for a tutor (book) for my c/c# accordion (melodeon) and came across this classic.
It contains many tunes which are still played at the Scottish accordion and fiddle clubs tod
- Last post by artelagro
-
-
-
-
This is real odd-acc
- I don,t know if i am going mental or what, its i have no problems playing a gig anywere,, but as soon as i pick up any 3 of my accordions to practise at home ,, wam it hits me, get a real tingle in my
- Last post by edward12
-
-
-
Where to buy quality accordion straps?
- JIMD: The italcinte line of straps can be had from the following dealers---- Ernest Deffner www.ernestdeffner.com ----- FRM enterprises www.accordiondepot.com ------ or yours truly Jim Dascanio &qu
- Last post by geo
-
-
-
polkas...
- Although I read music,I have learned almost all polkas by ear.I,ll check with some of the other band mambers for you.
- Last post by IvoryLeague
-
-
-
Adding MIDI for <$75. Success!
- Pete,
I knew you only hooked up the chords from your earlier description. You said you used 12 sensors, and it would take 24 to do both the bass and chords. Since you said it was controlling an a
- Last post by stevebox
-
-
-
Cute Video
- Very entertaining and easy to look at. Minimal left hand work,if any , but just the fact that 3 very attractive young ladies playing accordion has to be unique. It all makes for good stage presence an
- Last post by geo
-
-
-
-
Internet Domains for Accordionists
- I have a new accordion-related Internet domain for sale.
AccordionPro.com
Just listed AccordionPro.com on Sedo for $499, which is what Sedo's automated price suggestion tool estimates it shoul
- Last post by Accordionist
-
-
-
interesting accordion brand............
- ......names (?) Check out these images and click on em to get an idea of the names on some of the accordions imported by the Accordion Corp of America back in the 50`s and 60`s.. I`m sure they were a
- Last post by geo
-
-
-
Notifications
- I haven't been getting notifications via my email and I have a new accordion CD I made that I wanted to donate for you to give away- you can send mailing address to my private email--steve
- Last post by plasteraccordion
-
-
-
-
Accordion festival in NY this weekend...
- Actually it`s the annual Carmen Carrozza scholarship dinner , to be held at the Villa Barone restaurant in Mahopac NY this sunday.
Some of the best accordion playing from the CT/NY area will be feat
- Last post by geo
-
-
-
Favorite Female accordion Player
- There was a woman from Chicago in 30's-50's that really rocked the accordion- i'll look her up later- agreed tho- growing up in an Italian family- the boys were handed a squeezebox- my dad and great g
- Last post by plasteraccordion
-
-
-
Something Different
- Now that was really different! Hats off to you guys for the time and effort put into this. Eyes closed , no one would ever know it was an accordion orchestra.
And whoever said the accordion is lim
- Last post by geo
-
-
-
Favorite Female accordioist
- There are some very acomplished ladies out there.On youtube I,ve stumbled on a couple I like.Sylvia Marie Barber and Julie Best.Check them out
- Last post by IvoryLeague
-
-
-
FR-8x
- Roland seems to be leading the electronic accordion industry outside of the midi system installed in a conventional accordion.
I prefer to play my Roland over anything else. It doesn`t quite match t
- Last post by geo
-
-
-
Searching for origin of my accordion
- belegija: I am from Bosnia so probably accordion is from neighborhood. bass D should be repaired. Also, some of keys should be repaired because sound is not good. What is your opinion if I want to sel
- Last post by geo
-
-
-
Best accordion factory / assembly video
- Thanks for the post. I've always thought the "don't blow on your reeds" rule was more conjecture than science. In a relatively dry environment, think about how quickly that moisture would
- Last post by VTPete
-
More Topics »
|
|
Jingle Bells (18203)
Link to banish-misfortune (418)
Boys of Bluehill (498)
