Alright, no ribbing, for my sins, I know... My wife has warned me, but I did respond that I've known some fine piano accordion players, if in the minority. Sadly, some of the big ego squeezes we've crossed paths with have a lasting shadow on my want to be positive. But I will, I know it's not the instrument - necessarily.
So, a neice down in Cymru/Wales is on my case to help her find a piano accordion, and we're down for the weekend to start a search. I'm looking for an updare on my dated information, so any makes and recommendations from you lot are very welcome, and a bit of slagging, niggling and poking is OK too, as usual. She's on a tight budge, so I'm thinking, for a decent squeeze, probably no more than a couple of reed sets, maybe MM or ML. But I don't know much about the many different makes knocking about everywhere nowadays, including on eBay, what to avoid, what to consider. My greater experience is with handmade boxes, button primarily, and the likes of Hohner and some of the Italian squeezes, including the long and varied history of Paolo Soprani.
Recommendations, some idea of expected cost nowadays, and where to look - all welcome. Along with the usual things, she wants to play the unusual too, including hymns old and new... She's done the levels for piano and cello and plays regularly with the family for Sunday services. As always, all help is appreciated, and any needling fun or slaggin', I know, can be unaviodable on site here. I won't cast any shadows on her interest, and she won't consider buttons, I did slip that possibility in.
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
You'll find that if she'll get more for her money if she gets a full-size (120 bass) accordion. People are tending prefer smaller instruments, so that, if you're buying a second-hand one, the big ones are now cheaper. Hopefully she'll have a doting parent (or uncle) to carry it around for her...
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
I'd go for an absolute minimum of 34 keys, anything less and there's sure to be an embarrassing occasion when you run out of notes at the top end. As for the left hand buttons, the choice will be driven by the music you intend to play. If you want to play Irish music on the PA in sessions I'd be inclined to ignore the left hand.
Finally, the weight of the instrument is an important consideration, especially for a female.
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
That's a beauty Nikita, as I suspect is also the price.
Scotland is just a hop, skip and a jump from us...
Thanks Trevor, important considerations on all counts.
And melodica too, another welcome link. I'd found one on the subject of used instruments, something for her to read to back some of what I'd already shared with her. All such education is good. I want her to be informed to make her own decisions.
Thanks also to dear CMO who actually knows of an instrument for sale... All help appreciated. But where oh where is dear Conan?
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
Speak to Emilio at Allodi Accordions. He's very helpful, and can steer you in the right direction. He tends to have a lot of secondhand accordions in stock as well.
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
Yes I've had similar good experience with Allodi,would highly recommend.Actually I've just purchased a back strap (6£) and they remembered me from last year when I bought a second hand accordion on line.
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
Yes, the price is high - 4280 euros in the Castagnari factory price list - but every dime si woth it... at least with mine, which are button boxes, I never regretted any coin I put in them... and if you get the chance to travail to Italy, do visit the factory : it's one of the last family business in accordion make : every worker is a parent, uncle, cousin, in-law... and 80% of the boxes are made there (they don't make : bellows, and reeds... all the rest is handmade by them...)
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
Nikita, how I'd love to visit the Castagnari factory, drool... I still hope to get an old box I've got rereeded, but price, I know one has to, but times are tight, and I've got one big bite ahead of me, for the two of us to fly out to spend a summer with a dear friend, not in the best of situations, and other mayhem... Once there we'll make the best of it, but the selfish side is wanting to get this box done up with quality reeds, one day...
lucy & melodica - thanks for the Allodi recommendations, as personal experience is highly valued. I'll pass them on to our niece...
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
Hi C! Thans for your e-mail; I hope you're keeping great.
I can only echo what's been said before - I play a Fantini which I got from Allodi Accordions in Lewisham. If price is an issue, I would recommend at least having a look at their second hand range, which is extensive.
Emilio is a really nice guy and if you can call in at the shop he will be happy to spend time helping you find something within your budget and suited to your requirements.
I went for the Fantini 96 bass as it was just the right size and price for me at the time: http://www.accordions.co.uk/Newinstviewdocs.htm/FAnSP1GB.htm
The nice thing about them is that Emilio can order them from the factory in Castelfidardo already swing-tuned - they're really popular with trad and folk players,
Good luck with your quest!
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
Good to hear from you Conan, and another vote of confidence and appreciation for Allodi. This may be for when she upgrades. We've found one that has her interested, just south of where they are in North Cymru/Wales. That's courtesy of one of our friends here on site, a sweet little instrument, MM, at a nice price.
It's good that an obvious quality source has gotten some air time here. I'll have to plan a visit next time we're down in London.
Thanks to everyone for their kind guidance and help, much appreciated... ~ 'c'
P.S. For those that might not know I'm 'dated', our niece is in her late 20s and has just recently finished her doctorate, extended studies in biochemistry. It's hard sometimes for me to realize that. We still remember her pint sized... And with others appreciating the wild flowers of the Aran Islands and tasting the wild leeks... They were lovely children and they are lovely adults too...
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
A couple of years ago I picked up a 72/34 Excelsior box from a local listing that looked decent, had a nice low/fast action,came with a case and a gig bag and was cheap. The valves didn't look curled up and there was no rust or inside wear. I sent it to Michael Usui at Dancemaster accordions to look over and tune. He said that it has good tipo a mano reeds. He touched up any reed wax or valve issues, and tuned the bass reeds as well as tuning the treble reeds to a perfect sweet swing tuning. Over a year later it is still astoundingly well in tune. I doubt you could buy a new accordion this well tuned. The whole thing was well under $1000 USD. I know that his doesn't mean too much to someone in Europe but it is another option to explore
18/06/2011 - piano accordion purchased - Weltmeister Stella
Dark red tortoise shell, 2 voice and 26 keys: B, to c' & 32 bass - courtesy of one of our members here, #220, from Mouse Music in Llanidloes, Cymru/Wales, who fitted new straps and had replaced all the reed valves too. The neice is happy...
Thanks Stuporman, another source I've only head good about, Michael Usui...
£ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
£ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
Alright, no ribbing, for my sins, I know... My wife has warned me, but I did respond that I've known some fine piano accordion players, if in the minority. Sadly, some of the big ego squeezes we've crossed paths with have a lasting shadow on my want to be positive.
But I will, I know it's not the instrument - necessarily. 
So, a neice down in Cymru/Wales is on my case to help her find a piano accordion, and we're down for the weekend to start a search. I'm looking for an updare on my dated information, so any makes and recommendations from you lot are very welcome, and a bit of slagging, niggling and poking is OK too, as usual. She's on a tight budge, so I'm thinking, for a decent squeeze, probably no more than a couple of reed sets, maybe MM or ML. But I don't know much about the many different makes knocking about everywhere nowadays, including on eBay, what to avoid, what to consider. My greater experience is with handmade boxes, button primarily, and the likes of Hohner and some of the Italian squeezes, including the long and varied history of Paolo Soprani.
Recommendations, some idea of expected cost nowadays, and where to look - all welcome. Along with the usual things, she wants to play the unusual too, including hymns old and new... She's done the levels for piano and cello and plays regularly with the family for Sunday services. As always, all help is appreciated, and any needling fun or slaggin', I know, can be unaviodable on site here. I won't cast any shadows on her interest, and she won't consider buttons, I did slip that possibility in.
# Posted on June 13th 2011 by ceolachan
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
http://www.accordions.co.uk/
# Posted on June 13th 2011 by 'S dat you, O'Flibberty?
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
Is a neice the same sort of thing as a niece, but more interesting?
# Posted on June 13th 2011 by gam
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
I think a neice plays paino accordoin, but a niece plays piano accordion.
# Posted on June 13th 2011 by 'S dat you, O'Flibberty?
I before e except after c, or when sounding like a
A niece plays button accordion and a neice plays a piano accordion, loved however I misspell it. But, to really get it right ~ "nith"...
# Posted on June 13th 2011 by ceolachan
Re: £ - acordion piano - £ ~ i fy nith ar cyllideb
~
~ hoping for success...
# Posted on June 13th 2011 by ceolachan
Oops! I forgot the mutation - ar gyllideb, but it doesn't really quite work as it is...
# Posted on June 13th 2011 by ceolachan
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
You'll find that if she'll get more for her money if she gets a full-size (120 bass) accordion. People are tending prefer smaller instruments, so that, if you're buying a second-hand one, the big ones are now cheaper. Hopefully she'll have a doting parent (or uncle) to carry it around for her...
# Posted on June 13th 2011 by rbs
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
What makes are out there now that we should look for or avoid?
I've also noticed that a lot of two voiced boxes seem to be going for cheap, which would reduce the weight considerably.
# Posted on June 13th 2011 by ceolachan
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
Dunno if it's any help :
http://www.castagnari.it/index.php?strparam=&language=uk&sz=301&id=38
But I know you can get small 2-voice PAs, with 36 or 48 basses...
# Posted on June 14th 2011 by Nikita Pfister
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
Have you tried Scotland ?
# Posted on June 14th 2011 by Nikita Pfister
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
I'd go for an absolute minimum of 34 keys, anything less and there's sure to be an embarrassing occasion when you run out of notes at the top end. As for the left hand buttons, the choice will be driven by the music you intend to play. If you want to play Irish music on the PA in sessions I'd be inclined to ignore the left hand.
Finally, the weight of the instrument is an important consideration, especially for a female.
# Posted on June 14th 2011 by Trevor Jennings
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
http://folkpianoaccordion.blogspot.com/2010/05/choosing-piano-accordion-for.html
# Posted on June 14th 2011 by melodica
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
That's a beauty Nikita, as I suspect is also the price.
Scotland is just a hop, skip and a jump from us...
Thanks Trevor, important considerations on all counts.
And melodica too, another welcome link. I'd found one on the subject of used instruments, something for her to read to back some of what I'd already shared with her. All such education is good. I want her to be informed to make her own decisions.
Thanks also to dear CMO who actually knows of an instrument for sale... All help appreciated. But where oh where is dear Conan?
# Posted on June 14th 2011 by ceolachan
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
Speak to Emilio at Allodi Accordions. He's very helpful, and can steer you in the right direction. He tends to have a lot of secondhand accordions in stock as well.
# Posted on June 14th 2011 by melodica
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
Yes I've had similar good experience with Allodi,would highly recommend.Actually I've just purchased a back strap (6£) and they remembered me from last year when I bought a second hand accordion on line.
# Posted on June 14th 2011 by lucy farr
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
Yes, the price is high - 4280 euros in the Castagnari factory price list - but every dime si woth it... at least with mine, which are button boxes, I never regretted any coin I put in them... and if you get the chance to travail to Italy, do visit the factory : it's one of the last family business in accordion make : every worker is a parent, uncle, cousin, in-law... and 80% of the boxes are made there (they don't make : bellows, and reeds... all the rest is handmade by them...)
# Posted on June 15th 2011 by Nikita Pfister
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
lucy & melodica - thanks for the Allodi recommendations, as personal experience is highly valued. I'll pass them on to our niece...
# Posted on June 15th 2011 by ceolachan
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
Hi C! Thans for your e-mail; I hope you're keeping great.
I can only echo what's been said before - I play a Fantini which I got from Allodi Accordions in Lewisham. If price is an issue, I would recommend at least having a look at their second hand range, which is extensive.
Emilio is a really nice guy and if you can call in at the shop he will be happy to spend time helping you find something within your budget and suited to your requirements.
I went for the Fantini 96 bass as it was just the right size and price for me at the time:
http://www.accordions.co.uk/Newinstviewdocs.htm/FAnSP1GB.htm
The nice thing about them is that Emilio can order them from the factory in Castelfidardo already swing-tuned - they're really popular with trad and folk players,
Good luck with your quest!
# Posted on June 15th 2011 by Conán McDonnell
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
Good to hear from you Conan, and another vote of confidence and appreciation for Allodi. This may be for when she upgrades. We've found one that has her interested, just south of where they are in North Cymru/Wales. That's courtesy of one of our friends here on site, a sweet little instrument, MM, at a nice price.
It's good that an obvious quality source has gotten some air time here. I'll have to plan a visit next time we're down in London.
Thanks to everyone for their kind guidance and help, much appreciated... ~ 'c'
P.S. For those that might not know I'm 'dated', our niece is in her late 20s and has just recently finished her doctorate, extended studies in biochemistry. It's hard sometimes for me to realize that. We still remember her pint sized... And with others appreciating the wild flowers of the Aran Islands and tasting the wild leeks... They were lovely children and they are lovely adults too...
# Posted on June 15th 2011 by ceolachan
Re: £ - piano accordion - £ ~ for a neice on a budget
A couple of years ago I picked up a 72/34 Excelsior box from a local listing that looked decent, had a nice low/fast action,came with a case and a gig bag and was cheap. The valves didn't look curled up and there was no rust or inside wear. I sent it to Michael Usui at Dancemaster accordions to look over and tune. He said that it has good tipo a mano reeds. He touched up any reed wax or valve issues, and tuned the bass reeds as well as tuning the treble reeds to a perfect sweet swing tuning. Over a year later it is still astoundingly well in tune. I doubt you could buy a new accordion this well tuned. The whole thing was well under $1000 USD. I know that his doesn't mean too much to someone in Europe but it is another option to explore
# Posted on June 17th 2011 by Stuporman
18/06/2011 - piano accordion purchased - Weltmeister Stella
Dark red tortoise shell, 2 voice and 26 keys: B, to c' & 32 bass - courtesy of one of our members here, #220, from Mouse Music in Llanidloes, Cymru/Wales, who fitted new straps and had replaced all the reed valves too. The neice is happy...
Thanks Stuporman, another source I've only head good about, Michael Usui...
# Posted on June 20th 2011 by ceolachan