I am looking 2 buy my second 2 row button accordion as i have been playing my Garvey AAA starter accordion for nearly 2 yers and feel the upgrade would do me good.
Im looking for a lightweight box without the loud or obtrusive sound that many boxes tend to have.
Any suggestions as to quality instruments for under around £800 would be greatly appreciated, or even shops where i could get my hands on a good selection of models.
Is mise le meas,
Cian Ó Gallchobhair
Hi Cian, You have many options but a major consideration is what sound you are looking for. A Saltarelle or Castagnari might be an option but in my opinion vintage instruments are far better. You would be well advised to post this question on melodeon.net where you would get many expert views and sound advice from the forums many members.
Old Hohners or Paolos are great instruments and will retain their value more so than any new makes in my opinion.
Hi Cian, take a look at Mengascini if you can find one - Hobgoblin Music used to carry them. Mine is lightweight without being too small, and I don't run out of air on it anywhere as much as I do with the Castagnaris. Many people have commented on the sweetness of its tone. Mine was 750 quid a few years ago.
Presumably you bought your Garvey from Sean Garvey. In the price range you should probably go back to him. Unless you want to go through the usual struggle with boxes posted on the net.
That price is going to be the obstacle. Prices of boxes are seeing some inflation, and wait times with reputable builders are long.
At that price you need to be careful with the new because they will be lower end. While I might agree a bit with csparpd, I don't think your price will support the boxes he has in mind. Also be aware that when you buy a used or "vintage" you may need to spend some on repairs, tuning etc.
First coming to mind in your price range might be IrishDancemaster. Michael there is a master with reeds and a number of folks on this site use his boxes. I am told they are great value. And Michael uses top quality reeds. His site is Irishdancemaster.com
There was a good site out of Boston, I think buttonbox.com or something like that, where they had a nice selection, but I believe the owner passed, and I don't know if anyone kept the enterprise going.
If you go to John Williams, he deals in Saltarelles, he might be able to set you up with a Boube. But I think they are a bit more expensive than your budget allows.
There are a number of box makers out of Castelfidardo-usually good quality comes out of there. I have a guistozzi that has served me well and is well made, and was in your price range. but I did have to put a few hundred dollars in to get the tuning to where I wanted it. Nice box though with very good reeds.
Just stay away from the Chineses and Eastern European boxes.
Thanks for the fast replies, the advice was really useful and iv learnt some things i didnt know before. i'll check out the links now.
iv heard also that the best way to decide on a new instrument is to get your hands on some. if anybody know a shop in belfast or around Co.down which woul stock a range o button accordions id really appreciate it.
thanks again.
!
Best of luck. It took me about a year to get my box to where I liked it....and then I bought a new one (12 button bass Saltarelle) when I got with my current Teacher.
Now I've started to become interested in one row melodeons and Herself is fit to be tied because I am thinking about buying another box!
Accordion Advice needed!
Accordion Advice needed!
I am looking 2 buy my second 2 row button accordion as i have been playing my Garvey AAA starter accordion for nearly 2 yers and feel the upgrade would do me good.
Im looking for a lightweight box without the loud or obtrusive sound that many boxes tend to have.
Any suggestions as to quality instruments for under around £800 would be greatly appreciated, or even shops where i could get my hands on a good selection of models.
Is mise le meas,
Cian Ó Gallchobhair
# Posted on August 24th 2009 by Cian O Gallchobhair
Re: Accordion Advice needed!
Hi Cian, You have many options but a major consideration is what sound you are looking for. A Saltarelle or Castagnari might be an option but in my opinion vintage instruments are far better. You would be well advised to post this question on melodeon.net where you would get many expert views and sound advice from the forums many members.
Old Hohners or Paolos are great instruments and will retain their value more so than any new makes in my opinion.
# Posted on August 24th 2009 by csparpd
Re: Accordion Advice needed!
Hi Cian, take a look at Mengascini if you can find one - Hobgoblin Music used to carry them. Mine is lightweight without being too small, and I don't run out of air on it anywhere as much as I do with the Castagnaris. Many people have commented on the sweetness of its tone. Mine was 750 quid a few years ago.
Best of luck with whatever you chose,
Eno
# Posted on August 24th 2009 by bc_box_player
Re: Accordion Advice needed!
Presumably you bought your Garvey from Sean Garvey. In the price range you should probably go back to him. Unless you want to go through the usual struggle with boxes posted on the net.
# Posted on August 24th 2009 by nfldbox
Re: Accordion Advice needed!
That price is going to be the obstacle. Prices of boxes are seeing some inflation, and wait times with reputable builders are long.
At that price you need to be careful with the new because they will be lower end. While I might agree a bit with csparpd, I don't think your price will support the boxes he has in mind. Also be aware that when you buy a used or "vintage" you may need to spend some on repairs, tuning etc.
First coming to mind in your price range might be IrishDancemaster. Michael there is a master with reeds and a number of folks on this site use his boxes. I am told they are great value. And Michael uses top quality reeds. His site is Irishdancemaster.com
There was a good site out of Boston, I think buttonbox.com or something like that, where they had a nice selection, but I believe the owner passed, and I don't know if anyone kept the enterprise going.
If you go to John Williams, he deals in Saltarelles, he might be able to set you up with a Boube. But I think they are a bit more expensive than your budget allows.
There are a number of box makers out of Castelfidardo-usually good quality comes out of there. I have a guistozzi that has served me well and is well made, and was in your price range. but I did have to put a few hundred dollars in to get the tuning to where I wanted it. Nice box though with very good reeds.
Just stay away from the Chineses and Eastern European boxes.
# Posted on August 24th 2009 by zippydw
Re: Accordion Advice needed!
Thanks for the fast replies, the advice was really useful and iv learnt some things i didnt know before. i'll check out the links now.
iv heard also that the best way to decide on a new instrument is to get your hands on some. if anybody know a shop in belfast or around Co.down which woul stock a range o button accordions id really appreciate it.
thanks again.
!
# Posted on August 24th 2009 by Cian O Gallchobhair
Re: Accordion Advice needed!
Best of luck. It took me about a year to get my box to where I liked it....and then I bought a new one (12 button bass Saltarelle) when I got with my current Teacher.
Now I've started to become interested in one row melodeons and Herself is fit to be tied because I am thinking about buying another box!
# Posted on August 24th 2009 by zippydw