32-Bass

[Marina]

Does anyone know anything about purchasing a 32-bass piano accordion? I normally play a 12-bass Accordiana. I own a 48 (12x4) and a 120 which are in bad shape, and I find that they are much too heavy for me. In my research I discovered the existence of 32-bass, which seemed like it would be a nice upgrade in buttons. I'm a tall woman, but I still want to carry around a 15 pound instrument.

I'm worried that if I buy as used one that it might get damaged in shipment, even if it sounds good prior to that.

Thank you so much!!!!

 

[OuijaBoard]

[[[ I'm a tall woman, but I still want to carry around a 15 pound instrument. ]]]

Do you mean, you are tall but you still do NOT want to carry around a 15 pound instrument?

12X4 may be heavy for you because 48 bass accordions in the 12X4 configuration are usually the inch or cm dimensions of a 34-key 72-bass instrument.

Don't know about 32-bass, but plenty of two-voice MM 26 treble/48 bass in 8X6 weigh around 11.5 pounds. You can make a lot of music with a 26/48. If you want 12 bass tones, a 26/60 [12X5, no diminished row] would give you all 12 bass notes, and a two-voice MM in that config would also weigh 11-12 pounds. Hohner until recently made a Hohner Bravo II 60-bass MM weighing 11-12 pounds. I think they aren't putting out the 60b anymore, but there are still a few purchasable online.

I endorse Weltmeister in this weight/size range. The Welt Perle 26/68 MM is around 11.5 pounds, and in the exact same dimensions and weight, they give you a 30/60 MM, the Rubin, with slimmer treble keys to get 30 in there. These models are so light partly because Welt gives them a 3-voice bass, not 4. Personally, I don't need 4 bass voices, and think this is a great idea.

Weltmeister also does an unheard-of LMM 5-switch at thirteen pounds, same dimensions as the Perle and the Rubin, but a 30/72. How do they do it? The bass is only 3 voices, not 4.

If you want Italian and pricier, some of the Italian makers have woken up to the fact that there is a market out there for pro-quality craftsmanship, reeds, and components in small models, and are putting out some very nice 26/48s. SEE the Serenellini 262.

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Hello Marina,

Apart from their existence, I know nothing about 32 Bass accordions. In fact, I'm not sure that I have ever seen one in the flesh.

You have obviously bought instruments before, so you will be familiar with the old adage "try before you buy." Trying an instrument out may also assuage your fears about the instrument being damaged in transit, as you could simply take your chosen instrument home yourself after testing it out.

If circumstances dictate the use of a carrier, it is always as well to ensure that you are trading with a reputable dealer. They will have all the necessary "goods in transit" insurance, which is one less thing for you to worry about.

The type of music you play should inform your choice of instrument. Consideration of the physical size and weight of an instrument is important, but you also need to consider the limitations a smaller instrument imposes. This restriction of your repertoire may be quite acceptable, but you do need to be aware of it.

Good Luck & Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[jozz]

with a decent Hohner Student you should be okay

 

[Anyanka]

A 32-bass isn't necessarily much lighter than a 48 - I had an old Weltmeister 32-bass as my first Morris box, but switched to an old Hohner Student VM as soon as I could, as I use the counterbasses a lot. There wasn't much between them in weight. For quality, the Student was way ahead though.

 

[OuijaBoard]

I should add that my endorsement of the small Weltmeisters goes to RECENT examples. This is a label that has, ahem, improved over time. 48-bass accordions in the 8X6 config are usually pretty light, particularly the two-voice MMs.

RE Hohner Student: Yes, they can really be the bee's knees, but you want an Excellent-condition example. The Students have a succession of roman numerals after the model name. Word on the street is the "Student V" was a really good iteration. I think the IVs are good, too. There is a Scottish trad virtuoso that plays a Hohner Student, I think, and it sounds great.

Like the Weltmeister factory MM musette, if you don't like the typical Hohner 26/48 tuning, you can have the musette lightened a little. I'm personally quite fond of it.

There's been a bazillion Hohner 26/48s through the ages. The Hohner "Concerto I" was another model name that was a good 26/48 if you can find a nice one. I beleeeeeve, it was the Hohner International 26/48s that were a lesser build, though not 100% sure on that. Hohnica is another lesser Hohner product, and I would stay away from that. Same with Parrott.

 

[StargazerTony]

Hello. I think you're approaching this from the wrong end. Most of the weight comes from the treble side. There is some, but little significant difference in the weight of a 48 versus a 120 on the bass side. The additional buttons, rods and such for the bass add little weight and is even off set by the additional holes needed.

The treble side however, has weighty items like keys, couplers and all the things that make them work, lots of reed blocks, leather and valves.

The reason that 48, 60, & 72 bass accordions weigh less is that they have typically less of those treble features than a 120

The weight difference between a same sized shell Rubin, a MM 60 bass and a Juwel, a LMM 72 bass, is pounds and comes from the treble side and not from the 12 button bass difference

 

[Marina]

Thank you all so much! I apologize for not replying sooner, I didn't realize I had received replies. You are all so kind and extremely knowledgeable, I really appreciate it.

Ouijaboard--- hah, yes, you are absolutely correct, I don't want to carry 15 pounds. Thanks for catching that typo. Thank you for the suggestion about Weltmeister. And thank you for the note about the iterations of Hohner student accordions.

Stephen Hawkins--- Great advice about trying them out. Also, I did not know about "goods in transit" insurance. I've discovered there is an accordion meetup in my city so I'm hoping maybe someone in person could sell me something, since I don't know of any shops that sell them. I'm not even sure how to describe what type of music I play. I am obviously very limited by the size of my accordion, so i mostly end up writing medieval or Frenchy sounding stuff that I play with a single bass note and piano keys. I play with a band so I let the other musicians fill in the other sounds. My background is in piano. But I am tired of not having more notes.

Jozz- Thanks for the suggestion of Hohner student

Anyanka- It's nice to hear from someone who has actually played a 32 bass! That is really helpful to know that it is not lighter than 48.

StargazerTony- Good point about weight! I had always assumed the buttons were the determining factor. But the 120 I have is only slightly heavier than my 48 (12 x4) and maybe due to it having 2 voices instead of 1? I'm not sure if voice is the right term.

Thank you all again! I wish you a wonderful day.

-Marina in Texas

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Hello Marina,

I own a 120 Bass accordion which is actually lighter than my 72 Bass one.

The accordion function that you intend visiting sounds very interesting, and I imagine that you will receive some very good advice from the other attendees. Who knows? You may bump into someone who has a nice little 32 Bass for sale, thus negating the problem of having an instrument shipped to your home.

Whatever you decide to do, please keep us informed of your progress.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.