I've been playing accordion all my life (obviously stopping occasionally for meal/toilet breaks/sleep etc!) and have somehow managed to inherit a whole bunch of them over the years, of various sizes and descriptions in various states of repair.
A few years ago I was left a Gallanti, by an auld Irishman after he'd died. He'd seen me play as a kid and just wanted me to have the box! It is just the most amazing box to look at and certainly the best one I have to play. I'd always wanted to own one after seeing Ritchie Kelly "King of the Ceili" strapped into one on the front one of my dad's ancient albums!
Despite my obvious attachment to this particular instrument I have been looking around for one with a more responsive keyboard, that I can play at session/gigs etc, as it's particularly hard work banging out the triplets etc on this one. That, coupled with the fact that it suffers from slight emphysema!
I'm not sure whether it's financially viable to get the Gallanti repaired to it's original standard - so I may as well buy a new or second hand instrument.
I've tried several flavours and really like the Salterelle piano box - although over
The box player in our band plays a Borsini - loves the key action and has a very full sound (Scottish Ceilidh Band). He's talking about getting another one so they must be doing something right...
Cheers, Izzy
hi, i play both a Bompezzo and a Pigini (obviously not at the same time though!) and i must say that i love the Bompezzo for trad sessions-lovely sound from it along with great key action-i'd definately recommend one!!
I had a galanti musette which I lasted some 15 years of continental travel. The bass lever box kept coming adrift - I had hellish problems with them - but what a sound!!!!
I now play a Marinucci which has a lovely musette and no problems with the innards, except the leathers coming loose on the treble pads.
Both of these were some 20 years old when I got them so had been well and truly played in. I had tried both exact models brand new in the shop and they were not a patch on the old ones.
Harry Hussey (top jazz accordionist) told a tale of 6 top of the range Borsini (I think) coming into the London accordion shop, all exactly the same. The shopkeeper said - pick which one you like. Harry played them all and said this one. The shopkeeper said - yes, that one has already been sold.
There you have it - every accordion is slightly differently voiced and actioned. You may need to try many before you get the one that inspires you.
I was talking to Phil Cunningham about his Borsini - he had it midi-fied but disconnected the right hand side, only using the left hand midi.
As you may have noticed I'm playing a Fantini at the moment, excellent box, very responsive and good value too. Apparently the factory in Italy has started to manufacture them with swing tuning as it's so popular with Irish musicians. I picked it up from Allodi Accordions in Lewisham. You should call in there if you get the chance as Signor Allodi has an astounding array of piano boxes and he's only too willing to let you try them and offer really good, honest advice. By the way, this is NOT a plug! Accordions of London have a shop on Kilburn High Road, but it's not as big.
It was actually when I played your Fantini that I suddenly realised how much more difficult it was to play the Galanti! It's a very nice box with a lovely sound.
I'll check out Allodi when I'm next in town and maybe get to play at the Porterhouse too.
It was pretty toasted on Tuesday night!! What a session!! Although that fact that it took you until after 11pm to really get going didn't go un noticed! Cask Conditioned Celtic Rock? More like Nitrous Injected!!
See you Tues
I play Dallape Accordions. I have 3 which may sound excessive but heres why. I had a Supermaestro cassoto accordion for some years which had a very fast keyboard and a bass that was full and rich sounding not boxy like some. However I wanted to replace my smaller Brandoni 34/96 bass (this was a superb accorrdion too, very small) accordion so asked Dallape to build me a 37/97 bass accordion with +7, -7 musette so was a quite dry sounding accordion with 7 bass couplers so it had the same bass as my larger accorion, they used a Artist case for this. It has midi and the better sennheiser internal mics fitted with slipt bass and treble outputs on it. I work in profesional audio so this is very important to me to get this right. It sounded superb so I ordered a second accordion identical with +15, -15 musette for a more strident musette and can use either accordion as a spare for the other excepting the musette of course. When selecting the accordion the speed of keyboard was essential, mI tried a Borsini but the keyboard felt some what rubbery and whilst being a nice accorion was not as precise and solid as the Dallape. If you want to investigate purchasing Dallape speak to the factory direct if you need somthing custom built they are extreemly helpful.
I have been a world renowed accordionist for many years. I will share my list of great accordions:
1. Petosa
2. Bulgari
3. Pigini
4. Victoria
5. Beltuna
Now one thing you must remember, they all have various ranges of accordions. You have to purchase the top of their lines to get a real good professional model. The Petosa is the best, period. I have made many a recording using one. They consider me the World's Greatest Accordionist! I guess you can trust that. Thank you.
What's the best make of Piano Accordion?
What's the best make of Piano Accordion?
Hi,
Hope somebody can help me out on this one!
I've been playing accordion all my life (obviously stopping occasionally for meal/toilet breaks/sleep etc!) and have somehow managed to inherit a whole bunch of them over the years, of various sizes and descriptions in various states of repair.
A few years ago I was left a Gallanti, by an auld Irishman after he'd died. He'd seen me play as a kid and just wanted me to have the box! It is just the most amazing box to look at and certainly the best one I have to play. I'd always wanted to own one after seeing Ritchie Kelly "King of the Ceili" strapped into one on the front one of my dad's ancient albums!
Despite my obvious attachment to this particular instrument I have been looking around for one with a more responsive keyboard, that I can play at session/gigs etc, as it's particularly hard work banging out the triplets etc on this one. That, coupled with the fact that it suffers from slight emphysema!
I'm not sure whether it's financially viable to get the Gallanti repaired to it's original standard - so I may as well buy a new or second hand instrument.
I've tried several flavours and really like the Salterelle piano box - although over
# Posted on September 8th 2003 by mikemcdaid
Re: What's the best make of Piano Accordion?
The box player in our band plays a Borsini - loves the key action and has a very full sound (Scottish Ceilidh Band). He's talking about getting another one so they must be doing something right...
Cheers, Izzy
# Posted on September 9th 2003 by izzymac
Re: What's the best make of Piano Accordion?
Phil Cunningham plays a Borsini too. As Sheena Wellington once said "He can make the accordion sound like a musical instrument".
John
# Posted on September 9th 2003 by Johnny Jay
Re: What's the best make of Piano Accordion?
And Phil Cunningham has an "instant Violet Tulloch" button! (if this is the same instrument he uses in live gigs).
Jim
# Posted on September 9th 2003 by Worldfiddler
Re: What's the best make of Piano Accordion?
I should clarify - Violet Tulloch was long time vamping piano accompanist to Aly Bain & lots of other Scottish musicians....
# Posted on September 9th 2003 by Worldfiddler
Re: What's the best make of Piano Accordion?
hi, i play both a Bompezzo and a Pigini (obviously not at the same time though!) and i must say that i love the Bompezzo for trad sessions-lovely sound from it along with great key action-i'd definately recommend one!!
# Posted on September 9th 2003 by lindaomeara
Re: What's the best make of Piano Accordion?
I had a galanti musette which I lasted some 15 years of continental travel. The bass lever box kept coming adrift - I had hellish problems with them - but what a sound!!!!
I now play a Marinucci which has a lovely musette and no problems with the innards, except the leathers coming loose on the treble pads.
Both of these were some 20 years old when I got them so had been well and truly played in. I had tried both exact models brand new in the shop and they were not a patch on the old ones.
Harry Hussey (top jazz accordionist) told a tale of 6 top of the range Borsini (I think) coming into the London accordion shop, all exactly the same. The shopkeeper said - pick which one you like. Harry played them all and said this one. The shopkeeper said - yes, that one has already been sold.
There you have it - every accordion is slightly differently voiced and actioned. You may need to try many before you get the one that inspires you.
I was talking to Phil Cunningham about his Borsini - he had it midi-fied but disconnected the right hand side, only using the left hand midi.
# Posted on September 9th 2003 by geoffwright
Re: What's the best make of Piano Accordion?
Hi Mike
As you may have noticed I'm playing a Fantini at the moment, excellent box, very responsive and good value too. Apparently the factory in Italy has started to manufacture them with swing tuning as it's so popular with Irish musicians. I picked it up from Allodi Accordions in Lewisham. You should call in there if you get the chance as Signor Allodi has an astounding array of piano boxes and he's only too willing to let you try them and offer really good, honest advice. By the way, this is NOT a plug! Accordions of London have a shop on Kilburn High Road, but it's not as big.
Good luck!
# Posted on September 10th 2003 by Conán McDonnell
Re: What's the best make of Piano Accordion?
Cheers Conan - It's all your fault!!!
It was actually when I played your Fantini that I suddenly realised how much more difficult it was to play the Galanti! It's a very nice box with a lovely sound.
I'll check out Allodi when I'm next in town and maybe get to play at the Porterhouse too.
Mike
# Posted on September 10th 2003 by mikemcdaid
Re: What's the best make of Piano Accordion?
Hi Mike,
Take it from me, it don't matter what the make; just toast it over a hot flame for a few hours - it'll sound great........
Cheers
Titch {=/=}===++
# Posted on September 10th 2003 by Titch {=/=}===++
Re: What's the best make of Piano Accordion?
Hi Titch,
It was pretty toasted on Tuesday night!! What a session!! Although that fact that it took you until after 11pm to really get going didn't go un noticed! Cask Conditioned Celtic Rock? More like Nitrous Injected!!
See you Tues
(like yer little icon thingy!!!)
Mike {=[llll]::}
# Posted on September 10th 2003 by mikemcdaid
Re: What's the best make of Piano Accordion?
I play Dallape Accordions. I have 3 which may sound excessive but heres why. I had a Supermaestro cassoto accordion for some years which had a very fast keyboard and a bass that was full and rich sounding not boxy like some. However I wanted to replace my smaller Brandoni 34/96 bass (this was a superb accorrdion too, very small) accordion so asked Dallape to build me a 37/97 bass accordion with +7, -7 musette so was a quite dry sounding accordion with 7 bass couplers so it had the same bass as my larger accorion, they used a Artist case for this. It has midi and the better sennheiser internal mics fitted with slipt bass and treble outputs on it. I work in profesional audio so this is very important to me to get this right. It sounded superb so I ordered a second accordion identical with +15, -15 musette for a more strident musette and can use either accordion as a spare for the other excepting the musette of course. When selecting the accordion the speed of keyboard was essential, mI tried a Borsini but the keyboard felt some what rubbery and whilst being a nice accorion was not as precise and solid as the Dallape. If you want to investigate purchasing Dallape speak to the factory direct if you need somthing custom built they are extreemly helpful.
Dave Blackham
# Posted on May 9th 2006 by davebl
Re: What's the best make of Piano Accordion?
no doubt about it.......
BORSINI all the wayy.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! woo
XX
# Posted on June 13th 2010 by iloveaccordions
Re: What's the best make of Piano Accordion?
I have been a world renowed accordionist for many years. I will share my list of great accordions:
1. Petosa
2. Bulgari
3. Pigini
4. Victoria
5. Beltuna
Now one thing you must remember, they all have various ranges of accordions. You have to purchase the top of their lines to get a real good professional model. The Petosa is the best, period. I have made many a recording using one. They consider me the World's Greatest Accordionist! I guess you can trust that. Thank you.
Dick
# Posted on August 20th 2010 by Dick Contino
Accordion Smack Down!!
You be the judge:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ziYB_73u2E&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVbuIZ-5-8o&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsbTpDYuM2k&feature=related
….a bit off topic, but somehow related…..
BTW - I played a Rivoli for several years, but now have an aged but exciting Excelsior - a far cry from the list above.
# Posted on August 21st 2010 by Toppish