We are currently in need of a car, so I'm having to sell my beautiful Castagnari Dinn lll B/C button accordion on ebay at : http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280186356935&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=018
It's a shame, but I intend to press on with a cheaper instrument till I'm more proficient. As I love Sliabh Luachra, I might take the opportunity to switch to C*/D.
Any recommendations for the bottom end of the market?
Don't get rid of a good instrument or go for a downgrade. You'll regret it.
Cars are plentiful and obtainable in all price ranges. The same can't be said for a good musical instrument.
I'd say you'd make better progress on your present good instrument than if you swapped it for something cheaper and presumably not so good.
Another thought on the economics of the matter. A car will depreciate in value the moment you start to own it, and the newer the car the worse the depreciation. A good instrument will almost always appreciate in value.
A little story (true, as it happens, but it obviously wouldn't apply to everyone): a friend of mine, a violinist, had the opportunity of buying an early 18c Cremonese fiddle (the real thing, not a later imitation) shortly after leaving college. He also wanted to buy a house. Trouble was, he didn't have the money to do both and was faced with a stark choice.
So he bought the fiddle and spent the next year or so sleeping on the floors of friends' houses. He is now a successful professional violinist and conductor, his fiddle must now be valued at something in 6 figures, and he has his own house where he lives with wife and family.
Hi Michael, I go along with the above but if you really need to down grade, I have looked at Van Der AA's boxes and they seem really good value for money. I haven't physically tried one out though: http://www.accordionmaker.com/home/!boot.php?taal=uk&muziek=aan
Hope life is treating you well in Suffolk.
I understand Michael's problem - he's in Suffolk ! You do really need some sort of personal transport for most sorts of human communication, work, shopping, social life etc.. And then it will immediately start to downgrade, devalue, cost money in polluting petrochemicals etc. ( See earlier discussion re How Green is Your Session ? ) etc.
He's on the horns of a dilemma.
Sell your soul and keep the instrument seems almost the best way round this.
Guernsey Pete has summed it up perfectly. I grew up in Manchester and lived in London for 20 years and managed fine without a car. We thought we might continue in Suffolk the same way, but after 18 months of walking, cycling and country buses, we've had to admit it just isn't manageable. I've waited till I'm 42 before learning to drive.
I'm still in possession of my trusty, beaten up Galotta piano box which goes everywhere with me, as well as my dad's Paulo Soprani B/C box, so the playing will continue! The cheap box was more about trying out the C*/D system without it costing a fortune.
Hello Max and Danny,lovely to hear from you both.
I'm certainly missing my nights at the Blythe. Hope things are going smoothly for you all. I was getting a little too fond of Con's finely kept London Pride though. Maybe I'll see you soon.
Michael
Well, on the contrary, if you do decide to downgrade the box, an old Hohner blackdot (50s or 60s version) are a very respectable box by all means. If it hasn't been kept in good nick, it will most likely need tuning if not a lot more restoration. If you can come by one, don't oversee it. My brother got his, and let me tell you it's a fantastic box, for under €300.
A cheaper alternative?
A cheaper alternative?
We are currently in need of a car, so I'm having to sell my beautiful Castagnari Dinn lll B/C button accordion on ebay at :
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280186356935&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=018
It's a shame, but I intend to press on with a cheaper instrument till I'm more proficient. As I love Sliabh Luachra, I might take the opportunity to switch to C*/D.
Any recommendations for the bottom end of the market?
# Posted on December 23rd 2007 by Rathawaun
Re: A cheaper alternative?
Don't get rid of a good instrument or go for a downgrade. You'll regret it.
Cars are plentiful and obtainable in all price ranges. The same can't be said for a good musical instrument.
I'd say you'd make better progress on your present good instrument than if you swapped it for something cheaper and presumably not so good.
# Posted on December 23rd 2007 by lazyhound
Re: A cheaper alternative?
Another thought on the economics of the matter. A car will depreciate in value the moment you start to own it, and the newer the car the worse the depreciation. A good instrument will almost always appreciate in value.
A little story (true, as it happens, but it obviously wouldn't apply to everyone): a friend of mine, a violinist, had the opportunity of buying an early 18c Cremonese fiddle (the real thing, not a later imitation) shortly after leaving college. He also wanted to buy a house. Trouble was, he didn't have the money to do both and was faced with a stark choice.
So he bought the fiddle and spent the next year or so sleeping on the floors of friends' houses. He is now a successful professional violinist and conductor, his fiddle must now be valued at something in 6 figures, and he has his own house where he lives with wife and family.
# Posted on December 23rd 2007 by lazyhound
Re: A cheaper alternative?
i'd keep the box and bicycle to work.
good for you and the environment!!
# Posted on December 23rd 2007 by rob_handel
Re: A cheaper alternative?
Hi Michael, I go along with the above but if you really need to down grade, I have looked at Van Der AA's boxes and they seem really good value for money. I haven't physically tried one out though:
http://www.accordionmaker.com/home/!boot.php?taal=uk&muziek=aan
Hope life is treating you well in Suffolk.
# Posted on December 24th 2007 by Alf Tupper
Re: A cheaper alternative?
I understand Michael's problem - he's in Suffolk ! You do really need some sort of personal transport for most sorts of human communication, work, shopping, social life etc.. And then it will immediately start to downgrade, devalue, cost money in polluting petrochemicals etc. ( See earlier discussion re How Green is Your Session ? ) etc.
He's on the horns of a dilemma.
Sell your soul and keep the instrument seems almost the best way round this.
# Posted on December 24th 2007 by Guernsey Pete
Re: A cheaper alternative?
Hi Mick
You're still missed at the Blythe
Cheers
Max
# Posted on December 24th 2007 by maxF
Re: A cheaper alternative?
Guernsey Pete has summed it up perfectly. I grew up in Manchester and lived in London for 20 years and managed fine without a car. We thought we might continue in Suffolk the same way, but after 18 months of walking, cycling and country buses, we've had to admit it just isn't manageable. I've waited till I'm 42 before learning to drive.
I'm still in possession of my trusty, beaten up Galotta piano box which goes everywhere with me, as well as my dad's Paulo Soprani B/C box, so the playing will continue! The cheap box was more about trying out the C*/D system without it costing a fortune.
Hello Max and Danny,lovely to hear from you both.
I'm certainly missing my nights at the Blythe. Hope things are going smoothly for you all. I was getting a little too fond of Con's finely kept London Pride though. Maybe I'll see you soon.
Michael
# Posted on December 24th 2007 by Rathawaun
Re: A cheaper alternative?
Don't do it!! Take the bus, hitch a ride....cars are numerous but instruments are like children! I have a '91 Honda civic I will sell you cheap...
# Posted on December 25th 2007 by ifidddle
Re: A cheaper alternative?
Well, on the contrary, if you do decide to downgrade the box, an old Hohner blackdot (50s or 60s version) are a very respectable box by all means. If it hasn't been kept in good nick, it will most likely need tuning if not a lot more restoration. If you can come by one, don't oversee it. My brother got his, and let me tell you it's a fantastic box, for under €300.
# Posted on December 25th 2007 by PaddyCmusic
Re: A cheaper alternative?
I've just been looking at the new Hohner Morgane for £595. Anyone got any views on that?
# Posted on December 28th 2007 by Rathawaun