Jeff H

This instrument dates to approximately 1895. 32 buttons includes "squeekers" Key is C/G Rosewood ended, bone buttons It looks good and plays well with the following items of note: A few of the papers have browned edges. A small chip of veneer missing on the bottom of the frame. (long ago) Some dye wear on bottom of bellows, otherwise sound. Small cracks, on rosewood veneer on treble end plate. Not bad at all. Hands straps replaced 25 years ago The 5th button down on middle row, spring a bit week. Pads were replaced about 25 years ago Valves in good shape but could be re-curled, refitted or replaced.. Reeds all seem to be original, some surface corrosion.. no rust. Tuning sounds good but some variances from A440 as in 1-8 cents.. most at 4. One at 9. Still has original baffles and small oval tags. Thumb screws original. Case screws original. Has hard wood case. Price is $1600.. shipping fixed at $25 in Lower 48. 48 hour approval. You will pay return shipping if declined. Instrument lives in Oregon. Photos on request. Jeff Hildreth five 4 one 8 four six one 3 seven three or jefe 46 attttt earthlink dought netttttt

In addition, the "Cajun" accordeons have 4 reeds... 1 low, 2 middle and 1 piccolo. Also, they have two dedicated bass buttons..

Many years ago at Petosa Accordions in Seattle Wa I found a Holmwood for sale, unfortuantaely I could not afford it at the time. I have long regretted not selling my soul to buy it. I am also interested. Thanks Jeff in So Oregon.

http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/160U-507.htm I am not the seller/owner FYI only The instrument and case look familiar.

I play mostly one row and a bit of 2 row. Morris was the key word... if you are going to play Morris, no choice... D/G is the key system D/G is most common in England and New England... other than that.. G/C seems to be the most common key system... even in the States.. as an example.. Tex Mex was pioneered on G/C Hohn er Pokerwork 2 rows I have not seen Maggies Melodeon tutor but I do have the Mallinson stuff... dating back to when I bought them direct from Mally himself. There are more tutorials for G/C and IMO to a high standard.. as in the Milleret/Pignol available form the Button Box Also the Caruhel is quite good. In concertina.. I prefer the sound and utility of G/D.... I would agree that c/G is the stabdard for Irish for anglo but also that the majority of concertinas seem to be C/G and of course I think most folks who use the C/G are playing Irish. I play a very little Irish on one row but mostly fiddle tunes and Quebec. On two row, French trad. and a smattering of other stuff... all in G/C ( though I prefer Bb/Eb and one day will acquire a quality box in that key system) Back to the oroginal question 2 row an D/G for Morris or G/C for a much larger range from French to Tex Mex to Marengue Tipico and Quebec

Ypu said you also wanted to play Morris. That means D/G. Simple as that. So the key system is resolved. Now as to the instrument. I would strongly recommend a used Hohner Pokerwork and made in Germany. Buy it from a reputable dealer. Theo or Rees Wesson in the UK are straight shooters In the US.. the Button Box Another option and more money would be a new Hohner Morgane My problem with D/G is the G row will kill a ground squirrel at 500 yards. Much too high pitched for me I just sold a New ( 1 hour play time) Castagnari Hascy only because of the pitch. Now that we're done with the D/G I suggest you get a G/C just as the universal Anglo concertina is a C/G the universl key system for a melodeon is G/C and my preference ( next to a Bb Eb.. not recommended for general use) There is more tutorial information for G/C than any other system. The first Tex Mex style player used a 2 row Hohner Pokerwork in G/C NOT a three row G/C/F.. excellent all around key system.... For a G/C box get a Pokerwork or get an Erica. Black is rare and my favorite... the Button Box has one now.. again.. get one made in Germany

In another life, a life of "customer service".... I would often give "free" advice.. after years of banging my head at the thickness and ingratitude of some folks.. I made a sign.... Though I hid this behind my office door... the message is appropriate Due to the numerous complaints about our free service, there will be no more free service.

My Great Grandfather arrived in the United States in 1883. He had emigrated from Salnau,Austria,Bohemia according to the ships records. With him was his 2 1/2 row 2 reed octave tuned low end D/G button accordeon. 10 Buttons each in the first 2 rows and 4 in the 1/2 row. The treble buttons are glass or porcelain spheres. The six bass buttons appear to be turned bone; rather long elegant mushrooms. The Bellows are all leather with no metal corners, red and blue. Internally the reeds are handmade and on brass frames. The action is quite complex with the fingerboard mounted in the middle of the soundboard. Kinda of a Norton double knocker affair I play this accordeon frequently. He played it for the family and for dances and parties in Seattle for 50 years.

Who me ? Alias , naw ! FInding a decent accordeon new or used is a bit difficult if you live in the States. Thanks for the replies Beermo Garfuliack

I am looking for a well made, excellent condition-plus ,Itailian made diatonic button accordeon Configuration and key system not as important as condition. Appreciate any offerings or referrals to something of good value. Thanks

What is the serial number and do you have a photo of the instrument with the "hand rest " modification ?

Stephen, That being the case, did he do anything to protect his design?

Wim, Thank you for the reply and echoing ( from a more experienced position than mine) my opinions on the subject. More often than not, the abuses of patent and copyright are not by the manufacturer but by others who intervene. Design elements can be trademarked, but if not, then the designer has let go his interest. This has recently been proved here in the states in lawsuits lost by both Fender and Gibson guitar companies. If I was a retailer I would not sell bootlegged goods and perpetuate an alleged violation of someones rights. And as a player/potential buyer I would not knowingly purchase bootlegged goods. My position is also based on having been ripped off when a "friend" patented a design of mine and was in production before I was aware.

Congrats ! And a similar and connective story I bought a 38 Button C Jeffries from Star Concertina in Ab/Eb for the princely sum of $300 around 1993 ish However it was in tacky shape and needed restoration, but all there and original.

Reyes Accordions is 99.9374517354 % 3 row Tex Mex Conjunto Norteno style discussion; a little Vallenato.. but miniscule. My observation .. it is rare to find something of true interest and value there.. but there is the occasional nugget of wisdom. They also seem ( note I said "seem" ) to resent intrusion and are very defensive when facts are introduced to contest misinformation. In spite of the modest quality and grossly obscene prices of Gabbanellis , many have bought into the myth and defend them to the death There is a major division between the Hohner players and the Gabb defenders of the faith. This has been going on for years and its 12,436 th chapter.

Robin was also Elderly's "book guy" He was a B/C/C# player and I believe had a Paolo Soprani He moved to Seattle.. I lost track of him. He helped with the free reed listings. It was better then.

Very nice !! I was wrong, considerably smaller than the 30 button However I find 30 button spacing and the distance from handgrip to buttons on a standard concertina to be tight this one looks even tighter. Playability would be a problem As to the Franglo... not sure I have enough years left to wait for a Dipper...... : ) Thanks

The Bb/Eb club at Elderly is an interesting instrument, and the one I returned Knock out reeds , they are great and not too bad.. a few missing and curled leathers But the switches are odd combinations... It is a Club F but when you switch them it goes to a weird high reed thing I have ragged on Elderly for years and I have offered and Paul Groff has offered to write their descriptions for them I also called to offer how to show them how to photograph the accordions and concertinas.. The departmant manager for internet sales of used instruments flat blew me off and said there wasn't enough accordion business to bother He is the only outright rude employee I have ever spoken to at Elderly. I suggested that if they photographed them correctly, described them correctly, they could sell more instruments for more money, he ddn't get it. I gave up Good Ol Spade .. didn't he accuse his wife of messing around with Roy Rogers ,and then blew her away... that accusation was never confirmed.. why would Roy mess around when he had Trigger at home Spade died in prison as I recall or shortly after release.. When he was good he was great and when he was bad he sucked.... PA... well now.. I don't care for Buicks so PA's are out ; Heavy and bloated but in the 50's they looked fantastic... I admire the good players such as "Joey" with Riders in the Sky... a great player in fact, and their arranger and composer I want to do all that on a Diatonic.... B/C/C# perhaps but not for a light box... What was the diatonic button accordion set up on a concertina chassis called ? And didn't Dipper make one for a French player ?????

Hi Stephen A Preciosa perhaps..... finding one is difficult and finding one in a condition that meets my standards may be tough. Spade Cooley !!! ??? I am not sure why you mentioned good old Spade, but I don't think I'll use him as my role model. I recently bought and returned a Bb/Eb Club to Elderly instruments. Not as described, and needing a lot of work Also a bit large and heavy owing to individual zinc reed plates. Nice sound though Not sure Morse offers an Ab/Eb I'll contact the Button Box and see what they say.and Makes me wish I had kept and restored my Jeffries Ab/Eb 38 button unit. Meantime I have broken out the "bones" and Jaw Harp, though simultaneous play is difficult.

I have two ways I can clear a room 1. Play my button accordion B. sing... much more effective Though I can, I do not whistle. Thanks for the suggestion

Cool on the "Brownie Special"...... and Westphalia Waltz is one of my all time favorite tunes.. matter of fact I have a copy of the sheet music right here. It also sounds great on chromatic harmonica paired with guitar as a duo. Thanks Bill. BTW The Riders in the Sky favor Bb and Eb for many of their tunes....

Thanks but no thanks on the Marcus , not that much smaller than the 30 button and I much prefer Morse design and workmanship. Western Swing is a far cry from the "behind the chicken wire", yeehah, Nashville sound I am referring to Bob Wills, Milton Brown, Doughboys , Ranger Doug and the Riders in the Sky, Asleep at the Wheel etc... fiddle based tunes with jazz lines No Twang Bang

77 assorted boxes and harps, perhaps; But I think the accordions come to about 53, concertinas, 3 and though I currently own 27 harmonicas I have also owned about another dozen Chromatics including Hohner 280.s 270s, CX-12's, Huangs, amnd 2 Hering Opus....plus another 20-30 diatonics... they come and go. As to the HARMONETTA. no on a few fronts A. Appears to be a mouthful ; bulbous looking contraption awkward at minimum ... B. Requires suck and blow C. Am not wanting to creat a "novellty act" for a travelling carnival BillN, Thanks for relating hands on experience. Appreciate it very much.

I own 27 harmonicas within that bunch are Lee Oskars, Special 20's Gloden Melodies, Delta Frost and a Chromeeta 10 and a 280 retuned and upgraded by none other than Dick Gardner ( the last Harmonicat) 2 Hohner Tremolo one in C and 1 in D I prefer to push and pull than suck and blow I do not care for the Lilliput.. Giordy is too small I have about 6 small "toy" chinese accordions which I have modded. I would like tio make music not relieve broedom at the expense of my sensibilities. I'll figure it out, I have time. Thanks Jeff

I am currently considering adding to my free reed collection. Very spefically something small and portable to be toted around on a bike or hike. I have limited concertina experience but have owned a few including a Wheatstone English A 38 button Jeffires and a modest C/G Lachenal I have owned over 50 button accordions , 1 row, 2 row, 2 1/2 row and 3 row. Among those are many Hohners, 6 Castagnaris, 2 Serenellinis, etc I am currently playing 1 rows and an archaic but very cool 2 1/2 row D/G vintage 1880 brought to the US by my Great Grandfather.... I have limited C#/D and B/C experience all the rest were true diatonics...in the 4th (5th) apart sense... I want something different. I have reduced the options to : Morse Ceili in G/D.. I really like the accordion reeds and the playability...and they are USA made.. and I consder C/G to be a tad high pitched... or Another Castagnari Lilly, likely in C#/D but other keys could be considered. both of which would create an interesting new learning experience. I favor American fiddle tunes and.. Western Swing ! a little Quebec and a smattering of Irish Trad So , based on that limited information... any suggestions or remarks I am truly open to options. Thanks Jeff