80 bass pros / cons / galanti pros / cons

[smdc66]

hi

i am used to 72 bass and considering an 80 bass galanti

i am reviewing the benefits and/or disadvantages of going from 72 to 80 bass

i dont use the diminished row so cant think of any disadvantages other than maybe extra 8 basses weigh more and the bass may be a wider board but the advantage is 4 more columns/root notes

in the unlikely event that someone knows each of these models (or make) well a comparison of the above galanti compared to my concerto 111 s would be helpful - i would guess italian quality is better but am unsure at what point age is a factor
eg a newer modern parts better than older ones (bearing in mind mine is german from the eighties)

 

[Soulsaver]

Standard 80 Bass layout is 16x5, as 96 bass but with dim row missing. C# Ab rows added at the chin & Gb Cb at the knee to your 72 config.
Dont know much about the small Galantis. I'd suggest you borrow it and see how it compares..if possible.

 

[goldtopia]

I bought an 80 bass 2 voice for the extra few notes and being lighter than a 3 voice 72 bass, but found I hardly used the extra notes. The main advantage is if you were to play more than 5 sharps or flats and the extra couple of treble notes, which I very rarely play. So I'm giving it to my nephew up in York who is learning on a 24 bass and taking lessons. Whether an 80 bass is useful to you depends on what kind of music you play and if you think you need these extra notes.

 

[goldtopia]

I should have mentioned. I have also recently bought a 72 bass 2 voice Pigini which weighs 6Kg. I bought it for its lightness. When I bought it it weighed 6.8Kg because of the internal microphones, they are being taken out as it picks up internal mechanical noises and I dont need them anyway. I dont play 3 voice very much and I dont use the diminished row of buttons very much, though there are the odd tunes that would not be quite right without the diminished row . So, for me its better to have them than not.

 

[Glenn]

Normally with an 80 bass you can use an alternative for the dim7th so it is not so much of a issue.

 

[Soulsaver]

Yes I think if not playing in a formal context I'd imagine you could work around the lack of dims.

 

[smdc66]

Normally with an 80 bass you can use an alternative for the dim7th so it is not so much of a issue.

if and when i start using diminished , and had no 7th row - how much more of a skill set is required for the 7th - or is it the same skill set level as diminished really :?: :?

 

[Glenn]

It's a pretty simple thing. Just use the Dom7th row below.
eg. C dim7 = C + F7

 

[george garside]

the number of bass is directly related to the number of different keys that you are likely to be playing in so if you are never going to go beyond ,say, EbBbFCGDAE then 60 12x5 will be enough or even 48 12 x4. It also depends on the type of stuff you have a leaning towards. If you want to play mostly traditional/folk/ popular tunes etc then again 48 or 60 will do the trick. If on the other hand you have a penchant for classical stuff played exactly as written current wisdom suggests that 120 bass are necessary

george

 

[smdc66]

the number of bass is directly related to the number of different keys that you are likely to be playing in so if you are never going to go beyond ,say, EbBbFCGDAE then 60 12x5 will be enough or even 48 12 x4. It also depends on the type of stuff you have a leaning towards. If you want to play mostly traditional/folk/ popular tunes etc then again 48 or 60 will do the trick. If on the other hand you have a penchant for classical stuff played exactly as written current wisdom suggests that 120 bass are necessary

george

awhh , sounds like 48 bass would do me then - wish my 48 bass royal standard was 12x4 not 6x8 - mind you i like the extra treble keys of a 72 bass - so maybe the ideal for me is 60 bass (which i did have once) with 34 keys

 

[Glenn]

Indeed, 60 bass does not limit your options but the difference in weight between a 60 and 72 bass would be hardly noticeable.

 

[Soulsaver]

No weight advantge for 34/60 bass over 34/72... same number of reeds - just ounces in it...

 

[smdc66]

No weight advantge for 34/60 bass over 34/72... same number of reeds - just ounces in it...

presume similar logic for 34 / 80 :?:

unless you equate in different number of voices which means reed banks affect weight but unsure by how much :!:

 

[Soulsaver]

Is weight the primary driver of the need to change?

 

[goldtopia]

I understand the problem of the ideal size for weight. A 2 voice 72 bass is quite light. for me this is ideal. A 60 bass 2 voice is fractionally lighter. The Weltmeister Rubin a 60 bass 2 voice is a compact accordion which might suit you. Modern Weltmeisters compare favourably with many Italian accordions. Though you may have a preference towards other makes. 80 bass 2 voice accordions don't come up that often and it would be unwise to grab the first one you see. I once got caught out that way. Its fortunate that we have experts on the forum that can advise and save you a lot of trouble. Moving up from 2 voice to 3 voice is where more weight is added and it does make a difference.
Ideally we could do with an encyclopediea of various makes and the models, it would make interesting reading. It would suprise you the weight of a 140 bass 7 row 5 voice Soprani and we are talking about comparitive featherweights.

 

[george garside]

Whilst not directly connected to the weight of a box the size can have a bearing on the 'comfort' factor and even have the effect of making a box 'feel' heavier or lighter . Most people find a compact box more easy to handle than a bulkier box and a compact 60 bass can feel more comfortable than a bulkier 72 bass. This is perhaps more apparent with continentals as the bulk of the box is less governed by the length of the keyboard.

At one time I had two 3 voice 12x4 british chromatic boxes both of virtualy identical spec , quality and weight. One was more compact than t'other and that is the one I still have 20 years later!


george

george

 

[smdc66]

Is weight the primary driver of the need to change?

nope - maybe should be as struggle at times but like 3 voice sounds so will put up with weight but dont want to go heavier

i had a nice day today visiting accordion centre birmingham and accordions of coventry and see lots of nice accordions

the galanti was not suitable but see a nice 96 bass guerrini and i think my favourite was allodi 96 bass in theory but obviously heavier so not completely suitable practically

but i have got a back strap to try know so this may help to redistribute weight and mean could try heavier

also was offered up to 400 px so pleased with that and mine requires no major work

 

[bocsa]

Wish you'd mentioned a back strap the other night, I could have made you one in Black, Red or Blue for less than a tenner (in polywotnot rather than leather but with quick release buckle)

 

[Soulsaver]

What model Guerrini? Excellent make in my experience. Sounds like a good day out...
If modern, the Aloddi is a Fantini some say to Emilios' developed spec.. although not sure what how they differ.
The Fantinis I've heard are impressive.

 

[george garside]

I agree both fantini and guerrini make very nice boxes.

george