scarlatti button box b/c 21treble keys, 2 voice, with case and straps. on ebay, new,175quid!! would this get me started?? or should i wait for hohner etc?.
regards cass
p.s. thanks to everyone for their thoughts, on essential listening thread.
If it was me I'd wait for a hohner black dot, they would be of better quality but of course a wee bit more expensive. Also they will not lose value when you decide to sell it at a later stage!!
I'm in the same boat as you, Cassidy -- just itching to get a box to start on, and each day the money I've got saved up gets a little heavier. . .
I've heard to stay away from Scarlattis and Delicias as not having the best action, although for a bit more money I have been considering a Hohner Black Dot, yet there, too I've heard that they are all Chinese now, the action isn't as fast as other more expensive makes, and require attention a little earlier than something for a bit more money, but I do like the Hohner sound and quality quite a bit. I'm just concerned with it needing a set up right out of the box. I've looked at a few Weltmeister boxes on the internet for almost the same price new as a Black Dot, but I'll admit that I've never played one and don't know too much about them. Boorinwood makes a very affordable B/C box which I believe is a refitted Delicia -- again I haven't played one. Also there's the Learner Bill McComiskey boxes which I think Bill tunes and tweaks himself before sending them out. I've seen them auction here for as low as 400 USD, and I have heard very good things about out those.
My final solution is to just wait another few months for the rest of the money to come in, and buy either a Saltarelle or a Castagnari for a little bit more.. honestly, I'm quite done with buying a starter instrument that needs too much attention for too much money, and at the same time is worth peanuts when I go to trade it up for a better one. I also like the smaller size and wooden cabinet of a more expensive instrument.
If I had to choose one or the other, however, I would rather buy a used Black Dot over a Scarlatti even if it meant having a little work done to it. I'm concerned with the action and reeds in the Scarlatti. I understand Black Dots have been the standard quality learner's box for quite some time and I know a lot of people swear by them.
I had similar problem a few months ago when I've decided to start playing button box. I've spend so much time searchng on eBay, variety of internet music shops, comparing prices, reading some button box forum's posts and finally I've decided to buy B/C IrishDancemaster.
And that was really good choice - I'm so happy with my box. The sound and keyboard action are fantastic. The price is comparable with Hohner Black Dot but there are better reeds (Italian) and improved keyboard.
One can say that all Dancemaster accordions are custom made because Michael is preparing them just before he sends them so he can do with your box whatever you want (dry, semi-swing or wet tuning for example).
No better box for this price IMHO.
Stay away from Scarlatti I had an opportunity of try one out - it's a piece of junk.
I'd have to agree with all the above - if you get a Scarlatti now, you'll be regretting it within six months and lopoking to spend more on somethign better - with almost no trade in value on the Scarlatti.
I picked up the same model you're looking at at the Warwick Folk Festival 2005, and although it allowed me to start to learn my way around the buttons, it didn't have anything else going for it apart from cheapness.
Within a month I'd traded it back (happily at full value as I'd hardly played it) for a D/G Castagnari Lilly, which cost about four times as much but was more than four times better, and I haven't regretted the decision for a moment.
Keep saving your money until you can get a Hohner or somethign better, and ask on melodeon.net what people suggest, there are a lot of good makes and models out there.
I bought (and sold) a re-badged Scarlatti on Ebay, just to have a try at getting my head around b/c. As you gather I'm not a box player, but it seemed to me quite slow to speak. It was hard to imagine being able to play a tune up to speed on it. On the other hand, when the player is not up to speed.... Bought and sold on Ebay, six months apart, the total cost to me was about £25, so this could be a route to learning the basics, (and making sure you want to do it) before going in with a bigger investment.
I myself would recommend a Hohner before a Learner--I own a Learner that has been extremely tempermental. But your best bet is to save a little more money and buy one of the simpler Castingaris or Saltarelles that you will be able to use happily for many years to come.
a big thank you to the sess members who replied to this thread, on your advice, i am now the proud owner of a castagnari lilly b/c box (so beautiful). lessons!!!!!!! BRING EM ON. many thanks folks.
Congrats, you made a nice choice. While I myself play a Saltarelle, I have really liked the quality of the Castagnaris I have had the opportunity to play.
And it should be a very reliable, easily playable instrument, something that will make you shine, once you get the hang of it.
Enjoy!!!!
Just looked at your profile, and saw that you are starting the instrument in the middle of your life. That poses no insurmountable problem, I was 45 when I started messing around with the accordion.
scarlatti button box yes or no????
scarlatti button box yes or no????
scarlatti button box b/c 21treble keys, 2 voice, with case and straps. on ebay, new,175quid!! would this get me started?? or should i wait for hohner etc?.
regards cass
p.s. thanks to everyone for their thoughts, on essential listening thread.
# Posted on January 3rd 2006 by cassidy
Re: scarlatti button box yes or no????
If it was me I'd wait for a hohner black dot, they would be of better quality but of course a wee bit more expensive. Also they will not lose value when you decide to sell it at a later stage!!
# Posted on January 4th 2006 by mrc
Re: scarlatti button box yes or no????
I'm in the same boat as you, Cassidy -- just itching to get a box to start on, and each day the money I've got saved up gets a little heavier. . .
I've heard to stay away from Scarlattis and Delicias as not having the best action, although for a bit more money I have been considering a Hohner Black Dot, yet there, too I've heard that they are all Chinese now, the action isn't as fast as other more expensive makes, and require attention a little earlier than something for a bit more money, but I do like the Hohner sound and quality quite a bit. I'm just concerned with it needing a set up right out of the box. I've looked at a few Weltmeister boxes on the internet for almost the same price new as a Black Dot, but I'll admit that I've never played one and don't know too much about them. Boorinwood makes a very affordable B/C box which I believe is a refitted Delicia -- again I haven't played one. Also there's the Learner Bill McComiskey boxes which I think Bill tunes and tweaks himself before sending them out. I've seen them auction here for as low as 400 USD, and I have heard very good things about out those.
My final solution is to just wait another few months for the rest of the money to come in, and buy either a Saltarelle or a Castagnari for a little bit more.. honestly, I'm quite done with buying a starter instrument that needs too much attention for too much money, and at the same time is worth peanuts when I go to trade it up for a better one. I also like the smaller size and wooden cabinet of a more expensive instrument.
If I had to choose one or the other, however, I would rather buy a used Black Dot over a Scarlatti even if it meant having a little work done to it. I'm concerned with the action and reeds in the Scarlatti. I understand Black Dots have been the standard quality learner's box for quite some time and I know a lot of people swear by them.
# Posted on January 4th 2006 by gravelwalks
Re: scarlatti button box yes or no????
I had similar problem a few months ago when I've decided to start playing button box. I've spend so much time searchng on eBay, variety of internet music shops, comparing prices, reading some button box forum's posts and finally I've decided to buy B/C IrishDancemaster.
http://www.irishdancemaster.com/accordion.html
And that was really good choice - I'm so happy with my box. The sound and keyboard action are fantastic. The price is comparable with Hohner Black Dot but there are better reeds (Italian) and improved keyboard.
One can say that all Dancemaster accordions are custom made because Michael is preparing them just before he sends them so he can do with your box whatever you want (dry, semi-swing or wet tuning for example).
No better box for this price IMHO.
Stay away from Scarlatti I had an opportunity of try one out - it's a piece of junk.
Bartek
# Posted on January 4th 2006 by celt_pl
Re: scarlatti button box yes or no????
I'd have to agree with all the above - if you get a Scarlatti now, you'll be regretting it within six months and lopoking to spend more on somethign better - with almost no trade in value on the Scarlatti.
I picked up the same model you're looking at at the Warwick Folk Festival 2005, and although it allowed me to start to learn my way around the buttons, it didn't have anything else going for it apart from cheapness.
Within a month I'd traded it back (happily at full value as I'd hardly played it) for a D/G Castagnari Lilly, which cost about four times as much but was more than four times better, and I haven't regretted the decision for a moment.
Keep saving your money until you can get a Hohner or somethign better, and ask on melodeon.net what people suggest, there are a lot of good makes and models out there.
# Posted on January 4th 2006 by Martin Milner
Re: scarlatti button box yes or no????
I bought (and sold) a re-badged Scarlatti on Ebay, just to have a try at getting my head around b/c. As you gather I'm not a box player, but it seemed to me quite slow to speak. It was hard to imagine being able to play a tune up to speed on it. On the other hand, when the player is not up to speed.... Bought and sold on Ebay, six months apart, the total cost to me was about £25, so this could be a route to learning the basics, (and making sure you want to do it) before going in with a bigger investment.
# Posted on January 4th 2006 by TomB-R
Re: scarlatti button box yes or no????
heres a scarlatti for £64 on ebay I might bid for it myself as im looking to pay around £100 for a practice one as i want to learn also
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/B-C-Melodeon-sometimes-called-Irish-Button-Accordion_W0QQitemZ7378681777QQcategoryZ308QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
# Posted on January 4th 2006 by Ripthecalico
Re: scarlatti button box yes or no????
I myself would recommend a Hohner before a Learner--I own a Learner that has been extremely tempermental. But your best bet is to save a little more money and buy one of the simpler Castingaris or Saltarelles that you will be able to use happily for many years to come.
# Posted on January 4th 2006 by AlBrown
scarlatti update!!!!!
a big thank you to the sess members who replied to this thread, on your advice, i am now the proud owner of a castagnari lilly b/c box (so beautiful). lessons!!!!!!! BRING EM ON. many thanks folks.
kind regards cass
p.s. rakes more money lol
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by cassidy
Re: scarlatti update!!!!!
Congrats, you made a nice choice. While I myself play a Saltarelle, I have really liked the quality of the Castagnaris I have had the opportunity to play.
And it should be a very reliable, easily playable instrument, something that will make you shine, once you get the hang of it.
Enjoy!!!!
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by AlBrown
Re: scarlatti update!!!!!
Just looked at your profile, and saw that you are starting the instrument in the middle of your life. That poses no insurmountable problem, I was 45 when I started messing around with the accordion.
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by AlBrown
Re: scarlatti update!!!!!
congrats, Cassidy! Have lots of fun playing with your new baby.
# Posted on January 7th 2006 by Zina Lee
Re: scarlatti update!!!!!
Brilliant purchase, cass!
# Posted on January 7th 2006 by joesmith