Stocco Organetto Bolognese

[NickC]

I've been meaning to post this thread for a few months. I was always on the lookout for a small C system CBA without a bass section. I knew that the odds of finding one were very low. It seems that they are not popular outside of Bologna. I've been playing and listening to the music of Ruggero Passarini, Carlo Venturi, Massimo Budriesi, Leonildo Marcheselli, etc, and was always intrigued by the instruments that some of them play.

I looked for about a year and only hit dead ends. I knew the names of some of the manufacturers, and Stocco was the only one that is still around. I contacted @Ric46 who lives in Piacenza to see if he ever saw these small accordions around his area. Unfortunately, he hadn't seen any, but he told me about Giuseppe Spinelli at Stocco, and gave me some tips on how to get in touch. I couldn't call because my Italian isn't very good. I don't have Facebook, so that was out. Emails were slow. So, I eventually downloaded WhatsApp and found Giuseppe's number on his website. I thought it was worth a shot. Instantly, I got a reply. And the communication has been that way ever since. (If you want to reach out to Stocco and your Italian is spotty, I would highly recommend WhatsApp.)

We discussed a lot of options and I told Giuseppe what I wanted. He knew exactly what I meant since my instrument would be based on Massimo Budriesi's who plays a Stocco. I made a few modifications to allow me to switch back and forth between the Stocco and my Bugari. The instruments that I've seen were usually 4 rows with unmarked treble buttons, but I went with a 5 row/marked. It has 2 reeds in the treble. I was surprised to learn that Massimo Budriesi only has 2 treble reeds. He has such a huge sound.

I was quoted a 4 month build time, which seemed reasonable, but I also thought it was a bit optimistic. Here we are 4 months later and the instrument is ready to ship. We just have to finalize shipping cost and some accessory choices.

I really like my current instrument, but I wanted something smaller/lighter with a wetter musette that I could stand and play for a few hours without discomfort. I do play other music, and I can use this on any accompanied gigs or rehearsals.

I am excited to get this instrument. I will be sure to update this thread with pics, videos and audio. I thought I would share this with everyone because this topic comes up from time to time but there isn't a lot of first hand experience with them.

Here is a pic:

 

[Tom]

Awesome!!!!?????

 

[jozz]

beauty!

and you can stick a sandwich in the bass compartment

 

[Ric46]

I am happy I helped you! Take us updated...

 

[NickC]

Just a quick update. Stocco got the quote from the courier, and the accordion is now paid in full. It should be shipping next week.

 

[Ric46]

Just a quick update. Stocco got the quote from the courier, and the accordion is now paid in full. It should be shipping next week.

Very good news! How long does it take? 2/3 weeks?

 

[NickC]

I’m hoping it will be a week or two.

 

[EMan]

Good luck with the "Stocco". Have seen a lot of Italian musicians playing them, but no so much on this side of the Atlantic ! Looks like a great acquisition !

 

[NickC]

Thanks EMan. I've seen quite a few people play them and often wondered why they haven't made their way over to the US.

There was certainly some risk of purchasing sight un-seen. But, going through their roster of artists is like going through a list of my influences. I feel confident in the quality. Of course, feel is important and individual, but this is going to feel different than what I'm used to anyway. I spoke to other people/companies that I'm familiar with, and I think they could have made a nice instrument. But, after speaking to Giuseppe , it became very clear that he knew how to make the instrument that I was looking for. He knew the sound, he knew how to make it authentic, he understood the purpose of such an instrument, they've made several of these in the past, they've worked closely with several of the leading artists in the genre and they thought of it more than just a CBA without basses.

 

[NickC]

The Stocco arrived yesterday and I spent a few hours with it. It is a beautiful instrument and well made. They did a great job aesthetically.

It is quite a different style than my Bugari, and I was afraid that it would be an adjustment. But right after I picked it up, I felt comfortable on it. It is super light and should be easy to play standing up for a few hours.

The button action is not too different than what I am used to, except that the diameter of the buttons is smaller. They are similar to the French style buttons. I may actually prefer the smaller buttons. It allows me to cover more range with less stretching.

The musette is pretty wet. Playing through some of my repertoire, the tone is very authentic. It just fits nicely in the genre and gives the higher notes a bit of weight, which is great on an MM instrument. I am used to playing with a more moderate tuning, so it might take a while to get used to. But, there are some tunes that I put aside in the past because they just didn't sound authentic. I ran through some of them with the Stocco, and now they may make their way back on the set list.

There have been some questions in other threads about how the lack of a bass mechanism affects the feel of the left hand. The thought was, since there is some missing weight, it might feel strange maneuvering the bellows. I've only spent a few hours with the instrument, but it felt natural to me. I didn't even notice the lack of weight there. In fact, the bellows action is fantastic and easy to manipulate.

I have a lot more thoughts, but I want to spend more time with it so that I can give more accurate descriptions. Overall, I am very happy with this purchase and I'm glad to have it in my collection. It feels great, it sounds great and it looks great.

 

[NickC]

I know that I promised recordings of the new Stocco. I put together a quick audio track that I was going to use to test syncing to video. I still have to figure out all this computer stuff, but, in the meantime, here is the audio. The backing track is from Novalis.

 

[Dingo40]

Nick,
Totally authentic: love it!

 

[Ric46]

I know that I promised recordings of the new Stocco. I put together a quick audio track that I was going to use to test syncing to video. I still have to figure out all this computer stuff, but, in the meantime, here is the audio. The backing track is from Novalis.

Bravo! And what a wonderful sound!

 

[Valski]

Bravo! And what a wonderful sound!

Great sound and well played

 

[Tom]

Wow, sounds great Nick!

 

[NickC]

Thanks everyone. I really enjoy playing this instrument. I recorded another tune this morning. This backing track is also from Novalis.

 

[Ric46]

Thanks everyone. I really enjoy playing this instrument. I recorded another tune this morning. This backing track is also from Novalis.

Well done and perfect sound for the tune!

 

[EMan]

I listened to both tracks and 1st: compliments on your playing and secondly the accordion sounds great, particularly with that "Carlo Venturi" type of music. When playing those types of tunes, that musette sound is optimum ! Bravo ! Great job !

Coincidentally, I just purchased a new Bugari 288 Gold Plus. It comes with interchangeable reed blocks. I haven't rcvd it yet, but told them to ship it with the dry blocks in. I prefer that for all around playing. I can always put the wet blocks in if needed.

 

[NickC]

Thanks, EMan. Congrats on the Bugari. If I remember correctly, that is a cassotto model?

To my ears, it sound like Massimo DellaBianca plays a wet tuned cassotto accordion, and it is a great combination.





What does everyone think? Sound like cassotto?

I feel like I've heard Walter Losi and Walter Giannarelli play cassotto too, but I'm not good at this stuff. I sometimes have a hard time hearing which reed combinations are selected.