Your profile doesn't say where you are, but a good source in the NE US with a good website, is The Button Box in Amherst, MA (www.buttonbox.com). That is who I bought mine from, good folks to deal with.
Multiple replies: thanks for the interest shown. I'm in the west of Ireland, trying to play (emphasise trying) the music of pj Hernon, Tony macMahon, etc. I also like Seamus Walshe and Patty Furlong. Budget maybe €1,000 max at the moment.
Why not contact your countrymen John Brosnan or Martin Quinn and see if you can get a reworked Hohner from them. Contact info. shouldn't be hard to find.
I can try to go to McQuaid's Traditional Music Shop, Pearse Street, Nenagh.
He have some secondhand button accordion (usually vintage Hohner Double Ray or Erica).
I've seen a good Double Ray BC tuning... Euro 700
http://www.irishdancemaster.com/accordion.html
This is one option. This gentleman uses a Chinese shell, the part that doesn't matter, and uses premium parts, set up by hand, for everything else. For under $1000 (USD) you can get a box with hand made Italian reeds, terrific action and amazing sound, custom made with any changes in keys or tuning you like. The current exchange rate would bring that well under 1000 Euro. Consider that exchange rate for whatever box you decide on, as the Hohner Double Ray or similar Weltmeister currently go for $650 USD in New York. I don't know how duty would come into play.
Another option I forgot to mention is the Hohner Morgane. A simple 21/8 B/C box, 2 reeds, but aesthetically beautiful in my opinion with a gorgeous sound. I played a demo for about 15 minutes and ordered one. The go for about the same price as the double ray and are finished in natural wood with inlays. I didn't see anywhere on the box or the box for the box where it was made, so if anyone knows, please share the info. The estimated wait time for a B/C here is 6+ months; it may be different in Ireland. You also have those nice sounding Mengascinis more readily available there. Plain and pretty looking and sounding boxes that will fot your budget.
Next step up for box beginner
Next step up for box beginner
Any suggestions out there as to the next step up from my absolute beginners box (made in China I think).
# Posted on September 12th 2007 by macbox
Re: Next step up for box beginner
what style do you play (what kind of music are you into, ITM?) and whats your budget?
# Posted on September 12th 2007 by hibbs21
Re: Next step up for box beginner
There are a number of good, basic boxes to choose from. Myself, I play a Saltarelle Irish Bouebe, and am very happy with it.
# Posted on September 12th 2007 by AlBrown
Re: Next step up for box beginner
Your profile doesn't say where you are, but a good source in the NE US with a good website, is The Button Box in Amherst, MA (www.buttonbox.com). That is who I bought mine from, good folks to deal with.
# Posted on September 12th 2007 by AlBrown
Re: Next step up for box beginner
Multiple replies: thanks for the interest shown. I'm in the west of Ireland, trying to play (emphasise trying) the music of pj Hernon, Tony macMahon, etc. I also like Seamus Walshe and Patty Furlong. Budget maybe €1,000 max at the moment.
# Posted on September 12th 2007 by macbox
Re: Next step up for box beginner
http://www.giustozzi.it/Catalogo/vetrina/catalogo_eng.asp?IdC=C0063&PCat=;0;C0035;C0063;
Around €1,000.
# Posted on September 12th 2007 by dinn2
Re: Next step up for box beginner
Why not contact your countrymen John Brosnan or Martin Quinn and see if you can get a reworked Hohner from them. Contact info. shouldn't be hard to find.
# Posted on September 12th 2007 by Jeeves Tones
Re: Next step up for box beginner
I can try to go to McQuaid's Traditional Music Shop, Pearse Street, Nenagh.
He have some secondhand button accordion (usually vintage Hohner Double Ray or Erica).
I've seen a good Double Ray BC tuning... Euro 700
# Posted on September 12th 2007 by SILVIO 64
Re: Next step up for box beginner
http://www.irishdancemaster.com/accordion.html
This is one option. This gentleman uses a Chinese shell, the part that doesn't matter, and uses premium parts, set up by hand, for everything else. For under $1000 (USD) you can get a box with hand made Italian reeds, terrific action and amazing sound, custom made with any changes in keys or tuning you like. The current exchange rate would bring that well under 1000 Euro. Consider that exchange rate for whatever box you decide on, as the Hohner Double Ray or similar Weltmeister currently go for $650 USD in New York. I don't know how duty would come into play.
# Posted on September 14th 2007 by Stuporman
Re: Next step up for box beginner
Another option I forgot to mention is the Hohner Morgane. A simple 21/8 B/C box, 2 reeds, but aesthetically beautiful in my opinion with a gorgeous sound. I played a demo for about 15 minutes and ordered one. The go for about the same price as the double ray and are finished in natural wood with inlays. I didn't see anywhere on the box or the box for the box where it was made, so if anyone knows, please share the info. The estimated wait time for a B/C here is 6+ months; it may be different in Ireland. You also have those nice sounding Mengascinis more readily available there. Plain and pretty looking and sounding boxes that will fot your budget.
# Posted on September 14th 2007 by Stuporman
Re: Next step up for box beginner
I got my Irish Dancemaster B/C accordion about two weeks ago, and couldn't be happier with it! With custom bass setup and Binci DA reeds for just 1000 USD. I posted a picture of it here: http://www.voguehost.com/ims/u/TaylorMartin/Guitars/dancemsater2.JPG
# Posted on September 14th 2007 by GoatBasher
Re: Next step up for box beginner
Morganes are great value for money (despite archaic bass setup) but if you can run to it, try to scrape enought together for a Cairdin.
# Posted on September 14th 2007 by millionyears_bc
Re: Next step up for box beginner
Thanks again for the contributions. Anybody out there have any opinion on Weltmeister? Walton"s in Dublin have a sale on......
# Posted on September 19th 2007 by macbox