Old Bastari Stagi Difference From Current Models

[phillean]

I saw an old Bastagi / Stagi, looks the same as the current student model (mostly working) but older, I was wondering whether they are worth repairing for a beginner to use, and a related question, how do they differ from the current entry level Stagi student model -I have read a lot of comments here and other places about the difficulties of tuning the currrent ones.

 

Phil

[Richard Morse]

Bastari/Stagi has made an incredible number of various models, many considerably different in design - some which have changed for the better over the years and some not. If you'd post a photo or know the exact model number we may be able to help you better.

 

Depending on the condition and design/construction it *might* be worth repairing. The current Stagis are much easier to tune - and hold the tune - than many previous Stagi and Bastari models.

[phillean]

Bastari/Stagi has made an incredible number of various models, many considerably different in design - some which have changed for the better over the years and some not. If you'd post a photo or know the exact model number we may be able to help you better.

 

Depending on the condition and design/construction it *might* be worth repairing. The current Stagis are much easier to tune - and hold the tune - than many previous Stagi and Bastari models.

 

 

Thanks

 

On ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...%3APIC&rd=1

[Richard Morse]

That's the current Stagi model W-15, the "bottom end" of their W-15 series. The better ones have better bellows, hand straps, action, ect. You can still buy that model at places like Jim Laabs for about $340.

 

I *think* the biggest difference between the older one on eBay and a new one is that they've updated the action mechanism to be vastly better (meaning that its action is now bearable for beginner to intermediate players). The old action was a folded aluminum lever arangement with bits of plastic tubing to keep the buttons in place. Note the eBay photo with buttons all awry. You can get replacement tubing easily enough (don't use vinyl or hardware store stuff - it's too stiff) at hospital/surgical supply places (neoprene is good and flexible). The buttons/lever connection will then be *better* than new, but it still doesn't make it great - they will still travel a bit along the arms which will need fussing with from time/time.

 

On the plus side, I find that model to have brighter, more open sound than many of the Stagis. Also - though the bellows is decidedly cheaper, they tend to be more supple than the higher grade Stage bellows (though may not last as long).

 

If you're fairly handy and don't mind tinkering with it - and it doesn't go for a lot - it will probably be worth you getting it. Despite not having handstraps it doesn't look like it's been abused or used much.

[phillean]

That's the current Stagi model W-15, ... the "bottom end" of their W-15 series. ...

 

I *think* the biggest difference between the older one on eBay and a new one is that they've updated the action mechanism to be vastly better (meaning that its action is now bearable for beginner to intermediate players).....

 

If you're fairly handy and don't mind tinkering with it - and it doesn't go for a lot - it will probably be worth you getting it. Despite not having handstraps it doesn't look like it's been abused or used much.

 

Thanks Richard

 

I don't mind tinkering and I have been reading pages about building (to learn how concertinas are made) and hot rodding, the mechanics I can probably manage to rebuild or modify, I only just now reading /learning about reeds and tuning ( plus I borrowed my son's digital guitar tuner to learn about frequencies). I will try for the Stagi, depends on the bids.

 

I am learning the piano accordion (slowly) and thought it would be good to have something small to carry about to learn more about music, an English concertina would be good but old ones in repairable condition appear to be out of my price range, a Duet would be ideal, more like an accordion in concept but even rarer and more expensive.

 

I looked at some early Anglo concertinas. made in Germany mostly, wondering what they are like to work on, many seem to have wooden levers. I know this activity won't produce a high quality instrument but this is a hobby for the moment.

 

There seem to be plenty of more recent Anglos about but most are very cheap Chinese. I have seen some recent Scholer - Made in German Democratic Republic - apparently in good condition but so far I haven't found any information on the Scholers ie how they are built.

 

Another question - how practical is it to upgrade reed assembly eg put better reeds in a cheaper body.

 

Thanks

 

phil

[Richard Morse]

With this box, it is totally impractical. You would need to spend significant time to get determine the reed sizes (not pitches - but each pitch is available in many sizes of reeds), find out how to order them in that particular size, who to order them from (few reed makers might carry that size), and hopefully you can order just one set (they may have a 20 set minimum...) or it might cost you an exorbitant amount to have a company custom make you one set....

 

IF you can get a great set of reeds, and install them, and tune them ------- they MIGHT make the box sound 5% better. The "setting" (reed blocks, chambers, exit holes, pads, etc.) plays a large part in how any reed sounds and responds. And of course you'd still have mediocre bellows, action, pads....

 

Much more worth it to do what you can do easily to what the box *is* and save your serious time/money for your next box.

[phillean]

................

Much more worth it to do what you can do easily to what the box *is* and save your serious time/money for your next box.

 

 

Thanks Richard