I have recently taken up lessons on the button accordion, currently I am practicing on a paolo soprani (not mine) I find this a little heavy and cumbersome, I played the tin whistle when I was younger so I have some knowledge of trad music.
I am seriously considering buying a box and understand waiting times etc...for a good box, just looking for some advise.
Why would location matter in choosing a box? They can be shipped. Location would only be important if finding a dealer (to try before buying, to tune/repair, to buy off-the-shelf, to place the order with the manufacturer) was the issue.
I really love my Castagnari Tommy, but it's not for everybody. Some people don't like the stepped keyboard. Others don't like the slightly smaller than normal buttons. Others want a fourth voice. And it does tend to run out of air too soon. But I've had it six years now with no serious thoughts about changing. It's small, light and fast and the sound is lovely.
i'm not getting into subjective taste in tonal personality, you'd need to decide that for yourself.
but if you're looking for a high-quality box that is not heavy and cumbersome, you might try Castagnari's Dinn series.
these come in 2-voice boxes (Dinn II) and three-voicers (Dinn III) that you can acquire either in a LMM configuration or an MMM configuration, your choice. In both of these boxes, settings involving more than one reed playing together, can be tuned as dry or as wet as you like as a custom order.
the Dinns are very lightweight and compact (but the III is a tad bigger than the Tommy, and the Dinn does not have a stepped keyboard like the Tommy) and mostly importantly, they have TAM/handmade-type reeds for fast, easy responsiveness. the voice is beautiful, though some don't care for it and it is certainly nothing like a paolo soprani. again, that part is subjective. because they are a compact box, their keyboard/button size is smaller and closer together than, say, a saltarelle bouebe (also lighter than a paolo soprani, btw, great voice, great keyboard feel, but stiffer and harder to play).....so folks with big fingers sometimes don't care for the Dinns.....
Dinns are not cheap, but they're great if you're looking for high-quality and easy to play.....you can refer to the site listings Button Box accordion store in Amhers for prices. they have a new-price list and also a "current stock" page that has both new and occasionally used.....
I very much like my Saltarelle Irish Bouebe. Not a lot of reeds, stops and fancy stuff, but a very nice instrument, purchased for a pretty reasonable price. Although, if you are in the USA, the prices have gone up considerably in recent years because of the exchange rates.
If you are anywhere near a good shop, though, you should try a few out. The weight, the way the bass works, how the keyboard is set up, etc.,etc. There are so many differences. I have a Cairdin and I love it but for various reasons not for everyone. If you are in the US east a trip to the Button Box would be worth your while.
I've just got a Cairdin mini deluxe and without doubt it's the best box I've ever had (and I've had lots!). It's fabulous (he did not pay me to say that).
When I was shopping for another box, my teacher had me try a soprani that was in his family. He ended up selling it for much more than I was willing to pay. But it was very heavy. I think the plastic/acrylic shell boxes are like that.
Al Brown's suggestion, as well as the Casti suggestions are good if you are looking for a lighter box. My older box is wood and is very light. But for the new box I settled on a Connemara III. It is functionally a wood case box, but is a bit heavier than my Guistozzi.
And the prices in the US have gone off the wall as it were. My Connemara has appreciated at a significantly higher rate than my 401K (even though despite Herself's aspersions to the contrary, I am not thinking of investing in boxes rather than my retirement plan!)
> My Connemara has appreciated at a significantly higher rate than my 401K <
I think what you mean is, the price of a new one has gone up (and purely as a result of the weakness of the US $ against the euro), rather than that yours has appreciated. Try selling yours if you want to find out what it's actually worth in the current climate!
I don't have one, but I'd second the recommendation of a Cairdin 2v as a very box that is very easy to play. The modern Bouebes aren't so wonderful IMO. But all these Cairdins and Castagnaris are very expensive propositions for someone just starting.
You can go a long way with a Hohner Black Dot, especially one that has been hot-rodded by a canny tuner. Light to carry, cheap to buy, easy to play, and they can sound great. The choice of Josephine Marsh and Martin Quinn and lots of others.
I'm a newbie buttonboxer and my opinion shouldn't carry too much weight. But I'm going to give it anyway
I've had one of Martin Quinn's "hot- rodded" Hohners (an Erica which is a black dot without the dot) for a few months now. I'm very pleased with it and it was considerable cheaper than many of the boxes mentioned above (whichI'm sure would be great choices too if you have the budget for them).
I was looking for a c#d which carried somewhat fewer options in terms of finding a box reday made at a reasonable budget. Martin was able to set up a c#d for me in a month or so with the reed tuning and other details I wanted.
C'mon Jeeves. Trying to make a point about box costs. And be tongue in cheek.
You have to remember we just spent 8 years with a fearless leader married to cheap dollars and cheap credit. Look what it got us. And I recall his best freind lived on Downing Street. Tough to fix an long mess in one year.
Off the politics, point being that it is getting tough to get any box of quality.
I wish the money we spent on new accordions was recuperable when we sell them, but except in the case of old grey Paolos, it very rarely is. It's an expensive habit.
We'd all love a Castignari or Kincora - but who has got Euro 3,500 to spend in these troubled times. I'm with those who say start off on a Hohner Black Dot or a Dino Baffetti Irish I; both solidly built, lots of fun and won't cost you the earth.
Button accordion help!!!
Button accordion help!!!
I have recently taken up lessons on the button accordion, currently I am practicing on a paolo soprani (not mine) I find this a little heavy and cumbersome, I played the tin whistle when I was younger so I have some knowledge of trad music.
I am seriously considering buying a box and understand waiting times etc...for a good box, just looking for some advise.
# Posted on November 5th 2009 by aido1
Re: Button accordion help!!!
Where in the world are you? That would help us steer you.
Free reeds forever!
# Posted on November 5th 2009 by curamach
Re: Button accordion help!!!
Why would location matter in choosing a box? They can be shipped. Location would only be important if finding a dealer (to try before buying, to tune/repair, to buy off-the-shelf, to place the order with the manufacturer) was the issue.
I really love my Castagnari Tommy, but it's not for everybody. Some people don't like the stepped keyboard. Others don't like the slightly smaller than normal buttons. Others want a fourth voice. And it does tend to run out of air too soon. But I've had it six years now with no serious thoughts about changing. It's small, light and fast and the sound is lovely.
# Posted on November 5th 2009 by GaryAMartin
Re: Button accordion help!!!
i'm not getting into subjective taste in tonal personality, you'd need to decide that for yourself.
but if you're looking for a high-quality box that is not heavy and cumbersome, you might try Castagnari's Dinn series.
these come in 2-voice boxes (Dinn II) and three-voicers (Dinn III) that you can acquire either in a LMM configuration or an MMM configuration, your choice. In both of these boxes, settings involving more than one reed playing together, can be tuned as dry or as wet as you like as a custom order.
the Dinns are very lightweight and compact (but the III is a tad bigger than the Tommy, and the Dinn does not have a stepped keyboard like the Tommy) and mostly importantly, they have TAM/handmade-type reeds for fast, easy responsiveness. the voice is beautiful, though some don't care for it and it is certainly nothing like a paolo soprani. again, that part is subjective. because they are a compact box, their keyboard/button size is smaller and closer together than, say, a saltarelle bouebe (also lighter than a paolo soprani, btw, great voice, great keyboard feel, but stiffer and harder to play).....so folks with big fingers sometimes don't care for the Dinns.....
Dinns are not cheap, but they're great if you're looking for high-quality and easy to play.....you can refer to the site listings Button Box accordion store in Amhers for prices. they have a new-price list and also a "current stock" page that has both new and occasionally used.....
# Posted on November 5th 2009 by ceemonster
Re: Button accordion help!!!
I very much like my Saltarelle Irish Bouebe. Not a lot of reeds, stops and fancy stuff, but a very nice instrument, purchased for a pretty reasonable price. Although, if you are in the USA, the prices have gone up considerably in recent years because of the exchange rates.
# Posted on November 5th 2009 by AlBrown
Re: Button accordion help!!!
If you are anywhere near a good shop, though, you should try a few out. The weight, the way the bass works, how the keyboard is set up, etc.,etc. There are so many differences. I have a Cairdin and I love it but for various reasons not for everyone. If you are in the US east a trip to the Button Box would be worth your while.
# Posted on November 5th 2009 by nfldbox
Re: Button accordion help!!!
I've just got a Cairdin mini deluxe and without doubt it's the best box I've ever had (and I've had lots!). It's fabulous (he did not pay me to say that).
# Posted on November 5th 2009 by triplet
Re: Button accordion help!!!
I have a Castagnari Tommy, I love it, and have never found the stepped keyboard a problem.
# Posted on November 5th 2009 by cathycook
Re: Button accordion help!!!
Just transitioned to a Hohner Morgane, I love it!
Reasonably priced, it's a handsome-looking box in a comfortable size and weight. Effortless to play.
As already mentioned, check out The Button Box. Doug, the owner, is very easy to do business with, check out the website and give him a call.
# Posted on November 5th 2009 by Threewood
Re: Button accordion help!!!
When I was shopping for another box, my teacher had me try a soprani that was in his family. He ended up selling it for much more than I was willing to pay. But it was very heavy. I think the plastic/acrylic shell boxes are like that.
Al Brown's suggestion, as well as the Casti suggestions are good if you are looking for a lighter box. My older box is wood and is very light. But for the new box I settled on a Connemara III. It is functionally a wood case box, but is a bit heavier than my Guistozzi.
And the prices in the US have gone off the wall as it were. My Connemara has appreciated at a significantly higher rate than my 401K (even though despite Herself's aspersions to the contrary, I am not thinking of investing in boxes rather than my retirement plan!)
# Posted on November 5th 2009 by zippydw
Re: Button accordion help!!!
> My Connemara has appreciated at a significantly higher rate than my 401K <
I think what you mean is, the price of a new one has gone up (and purely as a result of the weakness of the US $ against the euro), rather than that yours has appreciated. Try selling yours if you want to find out what it's actually worth in the current climate!
I don't have one, but I'd second the recommendation of a Cairdin 2v as a very box that is very easy to play. The modern Bouebes aren't so wonderful IMO. But all these Cairdins and Castagnaris are very expensive propositions for someone just starting.
You can go a long way with a Hohner Black Dot, especially one that has been hot-rodded by a canny tuner. Light to carry, cheap to buy, easy to play, and they can sound great. The choice of Josephine Marsh and Martin Quinn and lots of others.
# Posted on November 5th 2009 by Jeeves Tones
Re: Button accordion help!!!
I'm a newbie buttonboxer and my opinion shouldn't carry too much weight. But I'm going to give it anyway
I've had one of Martin Quinn's "hot- rodded" Hohners (an Erica which is a black dot without the dot) for a few months now. I'm very pleased with it and it was considerable cheaper than many of the boxes mentioned above (whichI'm sure would be great choices too if you have the budget for them).
I was looking for a c#d which carried somewhat fewer options in terms of finding a box reday made at a reasonable budget. Martin was able to set up a c#d for me in a month or so with the reed tuning and other details I wanted.
- Chris
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Button accordion help!!!
C'mon Jeeves. Trying to make a point about box costs. And be tongue in cheek.
You have to remember we just spent 8 years with a fearless leader married to cheap dollars and cheap credit. Look what it got us. And I recall his best freind lived on Downing Street. Tough to fix an long mess in one year.
Off the politics, point being that it is getting tough to get any box of quality.
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by zippydw
Re: Button accordion help!!!
Sorry I mislocated your tongue Zip
I wish the money we spent on new accordions was recuperable when we sell them, but except in the case of old grey Paolos, it very rarely is. It's an expensive habit.
# Posted on November 8th 2009 by Jeeves Tones
Re: Button accordion help!!!
We'd all love a Castignari or Kincora - but who has got Euro 3,500 to spend in these troubled times. I'm with those who say start off on a Hohner Black Dot or a Dino Baffetti Irish I; both solidly built, lots of fun and won't cost you the earth.
# Posted on November 11th 2009 by Ozbox