Vintage Excelsior - Need help identifying details

[scarlettattoos]

Hi al!! I have my late father's vintage Excelsior Accordiana and am looking to sell it. But need help with appraisal details. I am pretty sure it is from the 1960s-1970s? It was made in Italy Model No. 520 (serial number?) CK #21184
Here are a couple of shots. If anyone has any knowledge to share or can point me to the right resource it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Scarlet

 

[Ventura]

hey tatts,

that is a nice box.. i would have called it a semi-pro or high Student model
in it's day... i am thinking very early 60's

it has 4 sets of treble reeds, LMMH configuration..

these were well built and if it is in nice, playable condition,
still has many years of life and value left in it

note the electronics (Microphones) were factory installed, though
many mic installs of this period have dried and cracked wiring, which
needs replaced to work properly

i always liked this design as it has just enough chrome and angles to
give it a clean deco look, but is not a boat anchor like many of it's
chrome covered peers

in the eastern PA market you have a lot of competition around
Philadelphia, not so much back west around Pittsburgh

i would craigslist it at $999 and let a few people look at it and give you
hands on feedback and offers

if all the keys are level and it sounds pretty much in tune with
no yucky sounding notes and no wheezy air leaks, then hold out
for a good offer. if it has issues discount accordingly. if some
kid plays it for you and blows your mind and he only has a few hundred,
give him a break if he lets you tatto your parlor advert on his chest

ciao

 

[scarlettattoos]

Hi Ventura! Thanks so much for this in depth response, it's REALLY appreciated! I even reached out to Excelsior in Italy and they couldn't help me at all, saying they lost "all their old records" back in 2007 when they moved. Strange they couldn't even offer a date with the serial number info!

Yes my father was a professional performer and hooked this thing into an amp... but i have no way of testing that part. Otherwise I believe she still plays really well otherwise.

But I am definitely going to try Craigslist. And thanks for noting my location, I'm closer to Pitts anyway. Let's hope the fact that I live in the land of the Pennsylvania Polka works in my favor for this one.... lol

 

[JIM D.]

You have a top of the line student model Excelsior early 50's thru early 70's Accordiana. This model was offered
to fill the gap between their student model line & their pro models of Excelsior & Excelsiola. These Accordiana's were sold as
a semi-pro accordion of excellent build & sound quality.
If I had yours in my shop and and refurbished I would price it at $2495.00 and not let it go for under $2000.00.

 

[scarlettattoos]

Hi Jim D! Thanks so much for your feedback. I put the heavy beast of a thing on the other day to test out all the keys and buttons and it still plays beautifully. Only thing I can't test are the electronics because I don't have an amp.
I've listed it on Craig's List..... and upped the price, thanks to you!

 

[Ventura]

quick question for the Scottish members..

the Piano key excelsior accordiana referenced in this posting..
is it worth more in the British Isles/ Scotland specifically, or
d you all play Button keyboards ?

 

[losthobos]

quick question for the Scottish members..

the Piano key excelsior accordiana referenced in this posting..
is it worth more in the British Isles/ Scotland specifically, or
d you all play Button keyboards ?

Note I have one for sale in UK and wouldn't expect more than £700 for it...about going rate here.... just saying

 

[Ventura]

THANK YOU

 

[Pjkelly74]

You have a top of the line student model Excelsior early 50's thru early 70's Accordiana. This model was offered
to fill the gap between their student model line & their pro models of Excelsior & Excelsiola. These Accordiana's were sold as
a semi-pro accordion of excellent build & sound quality.
If I had yours in my shop and and refurbished I would price it at $2495.00 and not let it go for under $2000.00.

You seem like the right guy to ask about my recent purchase. I just bought an excelsior NY model 10 .. I have no idea how old it is or what it's potential value is .. I do know that it plays and sounds decent for not having any straps to fully test it . Externally, it appears in great condition.. please help me

 

[Dingo40]

JimD is the man!
Looks 1930s to me

 

[Pjkelly74]

JimD is the man!
Looks 1930s to me

I've been told 1930s by one accordion repair guy and my mom thinks 1934. Another repair guy told me 1940s maybe 1950s and said it was worth maybe $200 USD if I was lucky, another guy said 1970s. I discredited him really quickly. And then I reached out to a very talented Brazilian player. He told me it could be worth up to $800 the way it is(if it doesn't need any serious work). I don't have any knowledge in this but I do know better when you see four digit serial number that it is not from the '70s. I have an old 1960s selmer veritone amp with a three-digit But that one was from the first few years of design. Later in the '60s they're four and five digit. Seriously need somebody to help me out with this. I don't know if I want to keep it or sell it. I do want to keep it to learn it because my wife's Brazilian and she likes the idea of being able to have it around. But the other part of me says we need the cash now .

 

[isorry123]

I've been told 1930s by one accordion repair guy and my mom thinks 1934. Another repair guy told me 1940s maybe 1950s and said it was worth maybe $200 USD if I was lucky, another guy said 1970s. I discredited him really quickly. And then I reached out to a very talented Brazilian player. He told me it could be worth up to $800 the way it is(if it doesn't need any serious work). I don't have any knowledge in this but I do know better when you see four digit serial number that it is not from the '70s. I have an old 1960s selmer veritone amp with a three-digit But that one was from the first few years of design. Later in the '60s they're four and five digit. Seriously need somebody to help me out with this. I don't know if I want to keep it or sell it. I do want to keep it to learn it because my wife's Brazilian and she likes the idea of being able to have it around. But the other part of me says we need the cash now .

It’s definitely pre war

Very pretty but will need work. I bought a similar year Scandalli and it needed new pads, gasket, wax, leathers, straps, buckles, pins, everything.

That’s why yes it’s $800 FULLY refurbished, and probably $200 max for street value (because I’m assuming it needs everything redone)

And fully refurbished still means the repairman is losing money in the whole ordeal. If takes weeks of work for a true job. You want to tune an LMM? Add about 40-80 hours of labor lol

 

[Pjkelly74]

It’s definitely pre war

Very pretty but will need work. I bought a similar year Scandalli and it needed new pads, gasket, wax, leathers, straps, buckles, pins, everything.

That’s why yes it’s $800 FULLY refurbished, and probably $200 max for street value (because I’m assuming it needs everything redone)

And fully refurbished still means the repairman is losing money in the whole ordeal. If takes weeks of work for a true job. You want to tune an LMM? Add about 40-80 hours of labor lol

That is pretty.

 

[Pjkelly74]

I went on my laptop and used a different search engine today. I found it!! In a museum.. 1932 maybe 33 or 34 based on my serial number being higher .. The one in the museum is white and was special order for what it says. Again I have no knowledge so all this. I'm excited and learning. Here's the link to what I found..

Piano accordion (Model 10) – Works – Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Wood framed body with cloth/cardboard bellows. Decorated with plastic based white celluloid veneer and studded with reflective rhinestones. The white color was conside …

collections.mfa.org

 

[Ventura]

i believe yours is an older/earlier version. as the split palm switch
pre dates the flip flop either-or mechanical toggle single palm shift
with it's accompanying needle indicator in that wider rectangular
window on the cream colored one

 

[Pjkelly74]

i believe yours is an older/earlier version.palm switch
pre dates the flip flop either-or mechanical toggle single palm shift
with it's accompanying needle indicator in that wider rectangular
window on the cream colored one

I just spoke with Paul Ramunni of The New England Accordion Connection and Museum. His opinion is in the '20s somewhere.. can't believe I have about 100-year-old accordion in my house. I wish I had a hundred year old Martin guitar too

 

[Ventura]

yes, they don't make 'em like that anymore..

hell, they don't even make RHINESTONES that good anymore

 

[isorry123]

I just spoke with Paul Ramunni of The New England Accordion Connection and Museum. His opinion is in the '20s somewhere.. can't believe I have about 100-year-old accordion in my house. I wish I had a hundred year old Martin guitar too

Just curious - I had saved one of these on Facebook marketplace a few weeks ago.

Did you pick it up from there in CT? I’m in New London

 

[Tom]

Oh I had one very similar to this one, probably later, without the Camerano badge. It had cool, deep sound. Restored it and it went somewhere….

 

[Pjkelly74]

Just curious - I had saved one of these on Facebook marketplace a few weeks ago.

Did you pick it up from there in CT? I’m in New London

No. Actually it was found on the marketplace but a couple towns over from me Just outside of Stroudsburg PA. I'm not sure yet if I want to learn it or sell it. Part of me says learn it because of my wife. The other part says to sell because we need to pay bills