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 tener6 |
need help choosing an accordion |
Lead | |
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(06/26/09 8:16 PM) |
My dad is turning 80 next month and I'd like to get him an accordion. He's a great piano player, but has not been playing as often as he used to, due
to some mild arthritis. I know that he has dabbled with the accordion before, but probably not since the 40s or 50s. I'd like to get him a piano accordion
that's not too heavy and I want it to be at least 24 bass. Do you have any suggestions? I'm looking to spend a maximum of $500.
Thanks, Mike |
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cb00ne |
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(06/26/09 9:13 PM) |
The UMGF rules are clear: No discussion of Politics, Religion or Accordions.
- Chris 2006 000-18GE | 2001 000-15S | 2008 CEO-4R | 2006 Felix II | 1979 Silver Anniv. Strat | Big Mo M-2 Mandolin |
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tener6 |
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(06/27/09 8:00 AM) |
Good one.
 The last time I had an accordion question I actually got
about 20 replies. Where are those folks now? Listening to Michael Jackson? 
Mike |
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Jason Verlinde |
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(06/27/09 8:00 AM) |
Chris is right and this thread will probably get closed, but I'll bite in the interim.
I was once single and dumb. I'd go to thrift stores and garage sales and buy musical instruments on the cheap, including old accordions. The accordions that always looked and sounded good to me would turn out to need some repair or tuning or something that would inevitably cost more than the instrument was worth. Those suckers are complicated! Here in Seattle, we have this accordion store/manufacturer that has been around forever. Petosa Accordions. They have not moved since the Lawrence Welk show went off the air and many of their accordions cost a ton of money. I looked at their for sale page and found this: "Accordion Rentals" for SALE Now available, assorted brands, models & sizes from Petite, Junior, Medium & Medium full sizes (15" to 17 1/2" keyboards). These instruments are serviced with a 60 day warranty and start at $250.00 - $450.00 . For further information, call us today at (206) 632-2700. Perhaps give them a call (they're true, old school accordion experts) and see if they have something in stock that would work? The fact that they have a warranty and have been serviced will get your dad off on the right foot.
Jason
Verlinde
The Fretboard Journal |
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tener6 |
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(06/27/09 8:03 AM) |
Thanks for the suggestion, Jason. I'll check them out. I understand one has to be very cautious when purchasing a used accordion because they are difficult
to repair.
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kydave |
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(06/27/09 8:14 AM) |
Go down to your city's pawn shop area, in the alleys. Go dumpster diving, but you'll have to look under the banjos...
(sorry, I realize you're serious. I just couldn't resist. I don't know squat about brands, but if you check a used one out making sure all keys & buttons work with the bellows going in both directions AND it sounds in tune, I'd think a pawnshop or Craigslist purchase would be reasonable.) Kentucky Dave's Martins: 00-28H (2006 Custom); SP000-16R (1999 Special Edition);
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6stringTom |
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(06/27/09 8:27 AM) |
I know zip about accordions, but it seems like it would be harder for arthritic hands than piano (unfortunately, I do know a bit about arthritis). Take a look
at http://www.captainfiddle.com/saleortrade.html. He has only one for sale at $500, but Ryan would
advise you with complete honesty.
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tener6 |
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(06/28/09 1:01 PM) |
Thanks for the suggestions and the advice. I am hesitant to buy an accordion over the net, so I'll probably just check craigslist and a local shop that
specializes in this kind of stuff.
Mike |
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curt45 |
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(06/28/09 1:53 PM) |
Definition of "Perfect Pitch"
Tossing a banjo into the dumpster and having it land on an accordion.
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Mac Mechanic |
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(06/29/09 7:54 AM) |
Years ago I bought a big ol' accordion at an antiques shop in NYC (some of these shops often have the same merchandise as some pawn shops, BTW). Many of
the keys didn't work, and things rattled around inside when you turned it on its end, but I think I paid $25 for it. I took it apart, and found the reed
holders (each note had a separate tiny one-reed harmonica attached to it) were held in place with beeswax, which had become less waxy with age. I took the
loose reeds (that's what were rattling around inside), blew on them to find the pitch, and then stuck them back in the corresponding beeswax/key-note
place.
I probably could have replaced the very few reeds which sounded a little off, but that was part of the charm of this accordion, and I couldn't be bothered. Besides which, I never really learned how to play it all that well.
Paul
I may be wrong, but I'm not far from it... |
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Ozark1951 |
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(06/29/09 11:05 AM) |
Good luck with your search. They are often pricey. Hopefully you will find a nice used one. Count me an accordian lover. I don't care. Ban me for it. I
can't help it! I love a good polka! Yes, I admit it! Polka!
I'm just a rolling stone, down the lost highway. Martin D18VS, Recording King RD 227 Red Bear Picks |
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Buck49 |
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(07/01/09 11:10 AM) Moderator |
I am in awe of anyone who can play an accordion. I tried one for a while and I swear it is the only instrument I ever tried that I couldn't learn a single
song on.
Wierd Al Those Darn Accordions do Zeppelin. Those Darn Accordions do Elvis. My best advice: If you know anybody who plays the accordion, take them with you on a pawn shop crawl. On the other hand, I also agree that you dad would have more trouble with an accordion than with a piano.
Tom Buck
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