Accordion-king brand

[Lennart]

Hello everyone!
I just recently bought a beautiful (but cheap) piano-accordion from the seventies. It has the label "Accordion-king"
Does anybody know anything about that label? I don't even know where on the planet it was made. I would be happy if there is someone at this forum who has some information. Google gives nothing at all.

 

[Valski]

Welcome Lennart, It would help a lot if you post some pictures of your accordion. It was common for manufacturers to sell accordions with different labels and brand names so with some photos It might be possible to identify the maker. Some companies would make accordions for various retailers that were identical except for the name, this way cheaper versions of instruments would not negatively affect a known brand's reputation. So from the shape of the parts it might be possible to identify a potential manufacturer.

Also it would be nice if you tell us about yourself. Do you play? Do you want to learn how to play? Do you have experience playing another instrument? Where do you live in Sweden?

 

[Lennart]

Hello and thanks for the nice answer. I detached two pics of the accordion. And something about me: I live in the south of Sweden. I am a professional viola-player since many years. I also play accordion as a happy amateur since approximately 15 years. Didn't play much the last years, but got some new inspiration quite recently. Have a small Hohner concerto2 that I love. It's very handy and quite loud. Found this Accordion-king accordion some days ago. It is in a very good condition and sounds good (especially for the low price that I payed) .

 

[Valski]

I'm not an expert like some of our friends on this forum, however I have some observations on it. It's a beautiful instrument, from the registers it appears to have 3 reed-blocks on the treble side and perhaps 3 to 4 on the bass side. Judging by the grille, it may actually be from the 1960's judging by the shape of the register switches and the shape of the grille. I owned an accordion very similar to yours in the 1960's and it was not brand new. The name on that grille was Noble who was an American importer who most likely purchased from a variety of makers
Even if you never know the exact origin of your accordion, it looks amazing and red accordions are best because they look as happy as they sound. If you like the sound and you're playing a beautiful accordion, what could be better?!

 

[Tom]

Welcome Lennart and congrats on this beautiful accordion! I'm sorry I don't know the builder of this brand. But I played with a professional viola player from the Cincinnati Symphony for many years and it was a great joy. Accordion and viola makes for a wonderful duo.

 

[Lennart]

Tanks for your friendly comments. Accordionists are indeed lovely people! I know that this accordion was bought as a new instrument 1970 from a music-shop in Sweden. I also think (like Valsky) that it is a cheaper instrument (for students ?) that probably was built by a well-known maker and exported with the no-name label Accordion-king.
My impression is that the quality is quite good, but I'm definitely not an expert. Maybe the label was detached by the shop in Sweden who sold it? It would be interesting to hear of someone has an idea if it's made in Germany or Italy. Or maybe Sweden...?

 

[Valski]

Welcome Lennart and congrats on this beautiful accordion! I'm sorry I don't know the builder of this brand. But I played with a professional viola player from the Cincinnati Symphony for many years and it was a great joy. Accordion and viola makes for a wonderful duo.

It's a huge coincidence but I also have played with a professional viola player and we still collaborate fairly regularly. She's a wonderful musician and a great friend, perhaps ALL viola players are great to collaborate with.

 

[Walker]

Hey Lennart, welcome!

@Tom and @Valski, I don't know any viola players but I did know someone who could get a tune out of a daffodil.

 

[Pipemajor]

Hey Lennart, welcome!

@Tom and @Valski, I don't know any viola players but I did know someone who could get a tune out of a daffodil.

That reminds me of the late Jock Agnew, a past editor of the Lowland and Border Pipers Society magazine.
Jock was a superb Border pipe player who I played with on numerous occasions.
I once went to a lecture he gave on bagpipes throughout the world where he had a display of bagpipes including one of a whole small goat skin with drones and chanter tied into the variuos orifices.
He finished the lecture by demonstrating how to make a simple set of pipes with 3 drinking straws.
With a tiny pair of scissors he cut them to various lengths, snipped tiny holes in one to make a chanter.
He then carefully flattened one end, put them in his mouth and proceeded to play a tune complete with 2 drones, all in tune.

 

[JerryPH]

He then carefully flattened one end, put them in his mouth and proceeded to play a tune complete with 2 drones, all in tune.

Wow, that is one of those kinds of events one is glad to have experienced first hand.

 

[Ben-jammin]

The selectors look like Horch from Germany. This one looks similar https://www.etsy.com/listing/129780...kHC3ffE94zIfJ1J3CSRJ5CqiiOdfIPogaAt5mEALw_wcB

 

[JIM D.]

Right on Ben:
A German made Galotta model made by Firotti Accordion Co. Today they now sold under the Weltmeister
badge.

Weltmeister Akkordeon Manufaktur GmbH – Akkordeonmanufaktur Deutschland

 

[Lennart]

The selectors look like Horch from Germany. This one looks similar https://www.etsy.com/listing/129780...kHC3ffE94zIfJ1J3CSRJ5CqiiOdfIPogaAt5mEALw_wcB

Yes!! That's it! Thanks a lot! Strange that it' was sold with the label accordion king in Sweden.

 

[Ikesaccordions]

I was going to say Horch or Weltmeister.