Do you know about accordians? I am looking for information.

Jeff Metz Jr. · Post by **Jeff Metz Jr.** » 30 Dec 2011 9:50 am

I have recently come across a Cav. M. Dallape' & Figlio (stradelia Italia) accordian. I have learned that they were made from 1880-1920. If this info is accurate. Im looking mainly for the value of the instrument. Everything is original including the straps. Heres a picture. If you know anything please let me know.Thanks

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 30 Dec 2011 2:27 pm

Unforunately, it's probably not worth very much. Old accordions are not like old Strats & Teles, in that they can't sit in a closet or under the bed for many years and appreciate in value. They tend to self-destruct. Bellows dry out & fall apart, the leather strips that cover the reeds disintegrate, the reeds rust and get corroded, etc, etc.
Most players play a piano keyboard accordion, and most also need a box with switches for different reed block combinations.
And to add insult to injury, ever since eBay and Craig's List came upon the scene, everyone who's had an old accordion in their attic or basement has been trying to unload them, so there's a glut of them on the market.
Sorry to be the bearer of not-so-good news, but that's the reality of it.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 30 Dec 2011 5:39 pm

yeah that's right. i had my dad's old accordian. turned out to be worth the enjoyment he had given us.

i traded it to a drummer (they don't know anything about music).

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 30 Dec 2011 8:38 pm

i traded it to a drummer (they don't know anything about music).

Well said. Does the accordion actually make MUSIC?

Jeff Metz Jr. · Post by **Jeff Metz Jr.** » 30 Dec 2011 9:25 pm

Yeah I figured as much. Cool thing is that the keys are actual ivory and the inlay is beautifully detailed. This picture doesnt show the keys but it sure is perty. Would a $300.00 asking price be out of line IYHO?

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 30 Dec 2011 10:11 pm

Well, I don't think it's worth it, but if you can get that much, more power to you...
I've seen similar vintage boxes - and more playable ones - go for $100...or less.

Fred Glave · Post by **Fred Glave** » 31 Dec 2011 8:55 am

This fall when I had our firewood delivered, I made a space for kindling that I filled with accordians. If you want to send it to me I'll put it to use.
Actually I love the sound of accordian. I own an old one that plays rather nicely. But a nice old one that plays well will not be very expensive, so if anyone ever had the hankerin' to take up playing one, they're available and reasonable.

Jeff Watson · Post by **Jeff Watson** » 31 Dec 2011 11:02 am

Learn to play it. Button accordions are relatively easy to learn. Each of your 3 rows of buttons contains the major scale notes of a particular key (they're overgrown harmonicas) and even just randomly hitting buttons while pumping the bellows back and forth, along with a song in the matching key, can create a very pleasing/effective atmosperic accompaniment. Eventually you learn to move between the rows and can use the middle row as a I chord, the inner row for the IV chord and the outer row for the V chord. Good fun.

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 31 Dec 2011 3:00 pm

They Sound Best in a Dumpster.

Jeff Watson · Post by **Jeff Watson** » 31 Dec 2011 3:28 pm

Hey....I've played that place!

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 31 Dec 2011 7:11 pm

almost every banjo joke applies to accordions too

Tom Quinn · Post by **Tom Quinn** » 31 Dec 2011 7:12 pm

That accordion is worth at least $500. It is a quality instrument...

Steve Wilson · Post by **Steve Wilson** » 31 Dec 2011 11:25 pm

Can't overlook the babe magnet qualities of an accordion.
I am using this old mag cover as my new wallpaper!

Tom Quinn · Post by **Tom Quinn** » 1 Jan 2012 5:22 am

I started playing the 10-button Cajun accordion about 10 years ago. They are great fun and have a devoted following the same as pedal steel. As far as the big piano boxes, they take every bit as much skill to play as a pedal steel and depending on how they are tuned can have a great sound. It's the dry-tuned accordions you might remember from the '50s that tend to set people on edge.

Alvin Blaine · Post by **Alvin Blaine** » 1 Jan 2012 9:59 am

Tom Quinn wrote:That accordion is worth at least $500. It is a quality instrument...

Can you PLEASE, PLEASE tell me who is paying $500 for these, because I know where a couple are for about $50-$70(one is a four row), and if I could find someone to pay $500 for one of those I could make some money.

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 1 Jan 2012 2:18 pm

Funny & right on, Steve. Nothing new to me...
Having just spent the last 10 years playing accordion in a zydeco band, I can honestly say the accordion is the babe magnet for the new millenium...
All those guitar slingers can just pack it in...

Tom Quinn · Post by **Tom Quinn** » 1 Jan 2012 6:52 pm

If it is a four row -- which I highly doubt as 99.9 percent of button accordions are no more than three row -- it has to be a quality instrument.

Joe Naylor · Post by **Joe Naylor** » 1 Jan 2012 7:22 pm

OK I held off long enough

Willy said, "Perfect pitch is when you through an accordian in a dumpster and break a banjo."

Willy said it not me - but I heard it

Joe Naylor

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 1 Jan 2012 7:41 pm

Q: Why do accordion players stroll around when they play?
A: To get away from the sound.

Q: How do you keep an accordion player busy all day?
A: Click here

Alvin Blaine · Post by **Alvin Blaine** » 1 Jan 2012 8:04 pm

Tom Quinn wrote:If it is a four row -- which I highly doubt as 99.9 percent of button accordions are no more than three row -- it has to be a quality instrument.

and worth about $100

Tom Quinn · Post by **Tom Quinn** » 2 Jan 2012 5:36 am

I find it interesting that so many players of that "whiney"steel guitar that many, many people cannot stand, an instrument that is dying on the vine from lack of interest, could dish other instruments and players.

It takes every bit as much technique to play accordion as it does a pedal steel. I play both. And the jokes are old. And stupid. If you ever looked at the workmanship of an instrument like an Acadian made by Marc Savoy in Louisiana or a vintage Excelsior Symphony grand and what it takes to play anything more that "Lady of Spain," accordionists version of "Last Date" for you bedroom pickers, you would understand that it takes strength -- an Excelsior can easily weigh 28 lbs -- unbelievable technique and the ability to play a vertical keyboard while searching for one of a 120 minuscule buttons to play the bass.

Classical:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wXBZV2_ ... ure=colike

Cajun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUqfep1g ... ure=colike

Norteno:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyzGQbjC ... ure=colike

Notice that the players don't look at their hands. Some of you need to get out more or at least clean out your musical ears.

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 2 Jan 2012 5:53 am

The similarity between an accordion and a hand grenade: By the time you hear either, its too late!

Tom Quinn · Post by **Tom Quinn** » 2 Jan 2012 8:06 am

Sorta like an out-of-tune bedroom picker on youtube...

Tom Quinn · Post by **Tom Quinn** » 2 Jan 2012 8:16 am

Pedal steel and Cajun accordion. Aldus Roger has to be considered one of the Cajun Accordion great. That old Sterling he is playing was made in the '20s or '30s in Germany. You want one yo better be prepared to come up with at last $4K. Good luck finding one for sale...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSdB74zl ... ure=colike

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 2 Jan 2012 11:14 am

I find it interesting that so many players of that "whiney"steel guitar that many, many people cannot stand, an instrument that is dying on the vine from lack of interest, could dish other instruments and players.

Tom, at least you find that interesting, which is more than I can say about this thread ...