Accordion repair course?

[Tom]

Does anyone have info or recommendations on an accordion repair course taught in Italy? The only one I have seen is the "Accordion Repair Academy." Any thoughts? Thank you!

 

[wout]

Ive been there and i can say its worth it. Maybe if you are already into repairing you dont learn that much in the tier 1 course but it certainly helps especially if you are using a wrong technique. Also the visits to the factory, the little stores, walking around in castelfidardo, the nice people and all but not least being involved with yoir accordion all day make it worth it. I reckon tier 2 and 3 are more relevant for us DIY persons with accordionrevival at our disposal. It supposed to be more focused on tge art of tuning and sorts.

 

[Tom]

Thanks Wout! Seems kind of pricey, but I suppose it has to be to be good. Were most of the students and instructors Italian? Was it taught in English? I suspect that, even though I know the basics, they would prefer you start in Tier 1. Did you stay nearby in an AirBnB or ???? Thanks for the info!

 

[debra]

Ive been there and i can say its worth it. Maybe if you are already into repairing you dont learn that much in the tier 1 course but it certainly helps especially if you are using a wrong technique. Also the visits to the factory, the little stores, walking around in castelfidardo, the nice people and all but not least being involved with yoir accordion all day make it worth it. I reckon tier 2 and 3 are more relevant for us DIY persons with accordionrevival at our disposal. It supposed to be more focused on tge art of tuning and sorts.

Sounds interesting. Can you point us to the source information? Now that I am retired I may have time for such a vacation (but might not have the funds for it...).

 

[wout]

Well, the woman who gives the course is called elke ahrenholtz and is the manager/owner? Of victoria accordions. She is actually german but speaks italian and english as well. Its mandatory to do tier 1 before tier 2. I think tier 1 might be a bit boring for a man with your experience paul. Its mainly focussed on cleaning and making small repairs. But i liked that the course was not like'this is the planning so we follow it' type of thing. If your instrument has problems your going to try to solve it. Theres also a little tuning involved with a experienced tuner. It was very interesting to learn how much a bad valve can influence the sound even its a minor problem. The tuner knew immediately what the problem was with mine. The valve was slightly archef thats why my note bended. You also go to the cagnoni factory, you can play wonderful poetas, you go to carini dena and have lots of spaghetti . I stayed in a place through booking.com right next to the victoria store and from my window looked right into the workshop . Would love to go again for tier 2 but for the coming time im very occupied with my business.

 

[jozz]

If your instrument has problems your going to try to solve it. Theres also a little tuning involved with a experienced tuner.

Oh this sounds great! What if the box is pretty beat up, like my Egmond needs a complete overhaul (de-rusting etc.)...

 

[Tom]

Thanks more Wout. Heres the course website Paul:

https://www.accordioncraftacademy.com/en/

I wonder if you have to bring an accordion. I will be traveling from the US and not planning to bring an instrument, but could probably find one there that needs help.

Could you please tell me the name of the place you stayed (you can do so in private). I looked on booking.Com last night and saw several spots.

Hey Jozz, your accordion sounds perfect for the course!

Thanks!

 

[debra]

If your instrument has problems your going to try to solve it. Theres also a little tuning involved with a experienced tuner.

Oh this sounds great! What if the box is pretty beat up, like my Egmond needs a complete overhaul (de-rusting etc.)...

Sounds great. I wouldnt be bringing my AKKO for the first tier, but probably my sisters over 50 year old Crucianelli super video which has gone over 50 years without any maintenance and is quite dirty, has broken and missing parts, and needs not only cleaning but also rewaxing, revalving and tuning...

 

[wout]

A complete overhaul might be a bit ambitious to go for! They also have sone old accordions there for practice. You can see foto's of me as well in the 2016 april tier 1 course the guy with long hair and a blue shirt i will look up the place. It was owned by a nice guy named luigi who gave me an espresso every morning

 

[wout]

https://www.booking.com/hotel/it/il...154;srpvid=fd755704eee90076;type=total;ucfs=1&

I stayed here.

 

[Geronimo]

Folks, how many full-scale overhauls of an instrument in bad shape do you expect a course with one teacher can accomplish? You won't magically end up with a fixed instrument in less time than an experienced repair man can achieve on its own. The best you can hope for is that you learn enough that you'll be able to carry on fixing up such an instrument back at home.

 

[Tom]

Thanks guys!

 

[jozz]

Folks, how many full-scale overhauls of an instrument in bad shape do you expect a course with one teacher can accomplish?

Well you have no, and you can get yes!

 

[debra]

https://www.booking.com/hotel/it/il...154;srpvid=fd755704eee90076;type=total;ucfs=1&

I stayed here.

Many thanks for the suggestion. I booked this place for the course at the end of next month (tier1 and tier2).

 

[jozz]

cool, post some pics of this adventure!