Riggy Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 Older now, and I'm getting in touch with my dark, low side. I have a custom 44 key Dipper which I use for song accompaniment, that goes down to a D below middle C. Listening to Ian Robb and David Coffin I have learned they use large old Aeolas that have 56 keys, classified as Baritone/Treble. Too big. Is there such a thing as a 48 (or less) Baritone ? Riggy www.riggy.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Taylor Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 The Button Box makes two baritone ECs, the 37 key Albion and the 45 key Geordie. Both accordion reeded, but the BB boxes sound pretty good to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Wooff Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 (edited) There are 48 key Baritones which have the same range as the treble EC's but are an octave lower in pitch. Usually slightly larger than the Treble instruments which helps to increase the available air in the bellows, the larger reeds use more air. Which brings me to the Button Box Baritones; I tried one a few years ago and although the small size is very nice , for me there was insufficient air capacity. Sure, it was ok for playing single note melody lines but throwing in a few chords left me gasping. I use a Baritone / Treble, the smaller 56 key Aeola version .... yes it appears large after a standard Treble but soon becomes a new normal. I find there is something comforting about the steady hold and capacity and find my Treble feels like a toy after. Weights: my 6.25" Treble is just under 3lb (1327g) and the 8" Baritone/Treble is 4lb 5oz.(1968g). Edited August 18, 2020 by Geoff Wooff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little John Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 1 hour ago, Riggy said: Is there such a thing as a 48 (or less) Baritone ? Yes. The standard vintage baritone is 48 buttons. The range is really useful: from G2 (octave and a half below middle C) up to C6 (two octaves above middle C). And often the Ab2 is re-tuned to an F2 which is much more useful for most people and great again for song. LJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveS Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 A few years ago I restored a rather nice rosewood ended 35 key Lachenal baritone. I sold it soon after completing the restoration. So yes, in answering the OP, baritones with fewer than 48 buttons do exist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken_Coles Posted August 19, 2020 Share Posted August 19, 2020 7 hours ago, Geoff Wooff said: There are 48 key Baritones which have the same range as the treble EC's but are an octave lower in pitch. Usually slightly larger than the Treble instruments which helps to increase the available air in the bellows, the larger reeds use more air. Which brings me to the Button Box Baritones; I tried one a few years ago and although the small size is very nice , for me there was insufficient air capacity. Sure, it was ok for playing single note melody lines but throwing in a few chords left me gasping. Geoff, was it an Albion (6.25 inch) or a Geordie? The latter is bigger (7 inches across flats) and I would think do better in this regard. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Wooff Posted August 19, 2020 Share Posted August 19, 2020 5 hours ago, Ken_Coles said: Geoff, was it an Albion (6.25 inch) or a Geordie? The latter is bigger (7 inches across flats) and I would think do better in this regard. Ken Ken, it must have been the Albion. I tried it at one of the Hobgoblin shops in the UK about five years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Mansfield Posted August 19, 2020 Share Posted August 19, 2020 (edited) I play chordal accompaniments on my Morse Geordie, and although you have to put some thought into bellows direction I rarely run out of puff. The Geordie also has an air button in place of the top b, which can be useful in ‘leaking’ a bit more air into the bellows - but can also catch you out if you transfer a tune from treble that goes up that far, and instead of a top note you get a breath of air! Edited August 19, 2020 by Steve Mansfield Factual inaccuracy corrected Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Wooff Posted August 19, 2020 Share Posted August 19, 2020 Impressions are always influenced by where one is coming from but the Geordie looks to be a much better size for the baritone range, especially with the optional 7 fold bellows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggy Posted August 25, 2020 Author Share Posted August 25, 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggy Posted August 26, 2020 Author Share Posted August 26, 2020 In the midst of all my Baritone investigations a dear friend here in Berkeley, who by-the-way took over my lodgings in Newcastle when I left to return to the states in ’72, came over and gave me this, on extended loan. Exactly what I wanted !!! 36 button Wheatstone which is one octave below the usual 48. He has owned it for 40 years and hasn’t played it much. Works fairly well & I will do some valve and tuning work. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenTx Posted August 26, 2020 Share Posted August 26, 2020 Congratulations what is the range of the 48 buttons. I also was wondering what has your experience been Or others reading this post to have a hand strap on an English does it in Hibbett play does it take the pressure off the thumbs I would be interested in thoughts of people who have actually put hand straps on the English Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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