Longshore
A long road travelled - made easier carrying a box
Hi all
I thought I'd share a few pictures of my '45 Special'.
A box that's been a long time in the making after a few false starts.
But finding an amazing young accordion repairer (and now a very good friend) who seems to be able to do anything, (including building stradella basses) enabled it to happen.
I've played it now for a year or so and it's everything I would wish for bearing in mind I live in a small van and space is at a premium. It is more than that though, it resonates with me on every level - hard to explain.
Playing my music on it has always been well received apart from the occasional 'real' accordionist that values boxes by name and reputation, and sees limitations instead of aspirations.
It started off as a German built Hohner Amati, 34 button (no dummies), 2 voice (mm), 48 bass.
On the treble side it's been shifted to a lower octave, running from C# to Bb as I enjoy the lower notes in my tunes.
On the bass side instead of the normal 8x6, 48 bass - (counter bass, bass, major, minor 7th's, dim).
It's now 45 bass - (bass, major, minor, 7th's).
The bass row (12 buttons) run from Ab to C#.
The major, minor and 7th's row (11 buttons) run from Ab to A#.
No counter bass or diminished rows as I don't use them.
All placed back into a white pearloid bass board.
I also had a Rotella bass strap installed to replace the original fixed strap.
(Thank you so much Charlie for your skill, insight, and enthusiasm).
And another talented friend did the calligraphy on the button.
(again thank you Julia).
The cost incurred will never be recovered if I chose to sell (which I never will), but this is unique and to me priceless .
A minimalist box for a minimalist lifestyle.
www.obskua.co.uk
I thought I'd share a few pictures of my '45 Special'.
A box that's been a long time in the making after a few false starts.
But finding an amazing young accordion repairer (and now a very good friend) who seems to be able to do anything, (including building stradella basses) enabled it to happen.
I've played it now for a year or so and it's everything I would wish for bearing in mind I live in a small van and space is at a premium. It is more than that though, it resonates with me on every level - hard to explain.
Playing my music on it has always been well received apart from the occasional 'real' accordionist that values boxes by name and reputation, and sees limitations instead of aspirations.
It started off as a German built Hohner Amati, 34 button (no dummies), 2 voice (mm), 48 bass.
On the treble side it's been shifted to a lower octave, running from C# to Bb as I enjoy the lower notes in my tunes.
On the bass side instead of the normal 8x6, 48 bass - (counter bass, bass, major, minor 7th's, dim).
It's now 45 bass - (bass, major, minor, 7th's).
The bass row (12 buttons) run from Ab to C#.
The major, minor and 7th's row (11 buttons) run from Ab to A#.
No counter bass or diminished rows as I don't use them.
All placed back into a white pearloid bass board.
I also had a Rotella bass strap installed to replace the original fixed strap.
(Thank you so much Charlie for your skill, insight, and enthusiasm).
And another talented friend did the calligraphy on the button.
(again thank you Julia).
The cost incurred will never be recovered if I chose to sell (which I never will), but this is unique and to me priceless .
A minimalist box for a minimalist lifestyle.
www.obskua.co.uk
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