Black Diamond Accordions.

[Stephen Hawkins]

Whether or not Essex in England is to become a great centre for accordions remains to be seen, but it has popped up on my radar a few times over the last few months.

From what I can gather, Black Diamond is the brain child of an Essex couple who have accordions made in China, using only the finest materials. These materials include top quality reeds made in Italy.

Their biggest PA is a 96 Bass, which may not suit those of you who are used to a 120. The PA range includes 72 & 48 Bass instruments, all of which are fitted with Italian reeds.

The Black Diamond website extols the virtues of their instruments, which is only to be expected, but I would prefer to hear accounts from someone who owns or plays one.

Across the range, prices seem to be very keen. They are cheaper even than the more popular Chinese made accordions, and very much cheaper than any European instrument. If there is a catch, what is it?

I have played clips from the website, and they sound great. Sound reproduction on a laptop is not the best, so I cannot substantiate any claim in regard to sound quality.

If Black Diamond's are as good as their advertisements claim, we should all own one. As I am not usually swayed by slick advertisements, I look for other sources of information.

Stephen Hawkins.

 

[george garside]

i have no experience of black diamond piano boxes but their melodeons/buttons accordions are , in my opinion. excellent value for money and are nicely playable. They are a cut above other Chinese boxes ( and bear in mind that the bulk of hohner production now takes place in china!) and are fitted with good quality Italian reeds.

They are not in the Castagnari Class but are nowhere near Castagnari prices!!

I understand they also now stock a 2 row Cairdin melodeon tuned to DG.which should be superb. Cairdin are a small Irish maker of very high quality mostly BC boxes which in my opinion are far superior to Castagnari and other top range Italian boxes. I havn't tried the DG version specialy made for the English market

I don't think black diamond have many , if any, retail dealers instead dealing either direct or via a stall at most larger rolk festivals and some accordion gatherings

They have a good website and are well worth talking to!

George ( no connection other than that they recommend my tutor book!)

 

[TomBR]

I had a good play on a BD 72 bass not long before I changed to CBA, it played very nicely, I was impressed and would have been very happy at the price.

All being well, Black Diamond are coming to the CBA rally on 7th October (see banner above) so that's the place to try out their CBAs.
As organiser of that rally I'd say, if anyone wants to use it as an opportunity to see a non-CBA Black Diamond instrument, that's fine by me, talk to them to see if they can help, they are really helpful and nice people. I think Black Diamond is a great venture that deserves support.

Tom

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

George,

Thank you for your insight.

I have visited the Black Diamond website and Facebook page, and played a few video clips featuring their instruments. I also noticed the other instruments you mentioned in your post, all of which seem to be well presented.

All that I have learned leads me to the conclusion that most of Black Diamond's trade is conducted on-line or at Folk Festivals, and they appear to be endorsed by a Folk Duo of good repute.

My interest in this brand is, at least for the time being, purely academic, though it does expand my attempt to discover which makes of accordion represent good value for money.

We have an eclectic mix of people on this site, many of whom will have a finite income. Those with a good earning potential may not need to think too hard about the cost of their instruments, but on either side of them are pensioners and young people for whom money can be tight.

Brenda & I made decent provision for our old age, nevertheless, the bills keep rolling in. Because of our lifestyle (kids, grandkids, friends, etc) we need to run two cars. Eating well and staying warm in the Winter is a big priority, as is maintenance on our old stone cottage. We are surely not unique in this respect, which is why I like to ponder the relative costs and benefits of a variety of accordions.

As you already know, one of my three accordions is Chinese. (the other two, German) My previous attempts to discuss Chinese made boxes have sometimes met with hostility, as though the mere mention of Chinese instruments provokes some irrational fear and loathing.

I recognise the fact that not everyone on here can afford European made boxes. Furthermore, not everyone here is a virtuoso accordionist. For those people who are not too fussy about hand made Italian reeds or bespoke instruments, and for those who just play for fun, I am trying to discover possible alternatives which don't break the bank.

I don't endorse Black Diamond Accordions; I don't know enough about them, but I would like to find out a little more.

Thanks again for your input, George.

Give my love to Cemaes Bay when you are next there. It holds many happy memories from when my children were small. (and more recently, for that matter)

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Hello Tom,

I imagine that Black Diamond will be represented at the CBA rally, as they advertise it on their website. It would be a "not to be missed" opportunity for them to promote their instruments.

The more I hear about Black Diamond, the more I like the sound of them. Your own comments are positive, and back up what George said in his response. Perhaps there is a Chinese made instrument (apart from Hohner, that is) which ticks all or most of the boxes.

Black Diamond may do better if they had a more comprehensive range of instruments. The lack of a 120 Bass must hurt their sales a little, as many accordionists at least aspire to owning one.

I hope the fair county of Gloucestershire is fairing better than Lancashire, as it is currently raining stair rods and blowing half a gale up here.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[Anyanka]

I tried a Black Diamond CBA at Sidmouth a couple of years ago, and found a major design flaw in the coupler positions: they are so close to the top row that my fingertips repeatedly got snagged by the coupler edges. They explained that it was due to the smaller size of Asian hands... I have big hands and long fingers. It will be interesting to see if they changed the design since then, as it made the instrument unusable for me.

 

[maugein96]

Black Diamond's website says they will be importing PAs from Italy later this year, although I fear they will not be able to sell them at anything like the current prices. It will be interesting to see what transpires.

 

[wirralaccordion]

Hi Stephen,
They do appear to show 120 bass accordions on their web site. Maybe this is for the future?
Phil

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Dear Kirsten,

I'm sorry to learn that you had a bad experience with a BD, and hope it has now been sorted out.

As I am 6ft 4ins and built like an outhouse, I can only imagine that my hands are bigger than yours. If this problem still exists, that would probably rule out a BD accordion for me.

Was the rest of it okay, though?

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Hi John,

I read the stuff about them sourcing parts and artisans from different places, though there was insufficient detail to fully understand the rationale.

Price, as you say, will be the factor which determines the success or failure of the "Italian Project", though I imagine they will be as competitive as possible.

Just like yourself, I will be interested to see how this develops, and will keep a watching brief on their website.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Hello Phil,

I don't think that there is a 120 Bass in their current range, though one may be projected in the near future. As John says, BD have secured facilities in Italy from which to launch new models, and it may be from that range that a 120 Bass may emerge.

The concept is interesting, as these machines (we are told) have been designed by a Brit. I hope he does credit to his country, with his design winning some sort of award for technical innovation and quality of design.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Hi Kirsten,

The problem you had with the key changers may only be critical on the CBA, as boxes with piano keys do not require you to get quite so close to them.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[debra]

I tried a Black Diamond CBA at Sidmouth a couple of years ago, and found a major design flaw in the coupler positions: they are so close to the top row that my fingertips repeatedly got snagged by the coupler edges. They explained that it was due to the smaller size of Asian hands... I have big hands and long fingers. It will be interesting to see if they changed the design since then, as it made the instrument unusable for me.

Accidentally hitting a coupler switch while playing has happened to me on every accordion, but when I look at pictures of a Black Diamond, whether CBA or PA, the position of the switches is just ridiculous. Even on a PA you are bound to have trouble.

 

[wout]

Agree especially on the smaller pa they seem tot be on An u comfortable position

 

[GOM]

Having bought a Black Diamond B system CBA recently and as I attended the SECBAR event where the company was present it would seem that the coupler issue has been resolved my newer model has a straight edged coupler which does not infringe on the buttons as I assume the older ‘U’ shaped couplers might have done.
It is playing in nicely, I really like the sound, the bellows are responsive for shaking and I don’t miss the dim7 chord at all. I have nothing but praise for the customer service afforded by Juliet and Greg. This is the 2nd accordion I have bought from them, the previous one being a piano accordion as a present. It was the good impression of this first purchase which prompted me to get a CBA for myself.

 

[Anyanka]

... as I attended the SECBAR event where the company was present it would seem that the coupler issue has been resolved my newer model has a straight edged coupler which does not infringe on the buttons ...

I had a look at the Black Diamond CBA models on display at the SECBAR on Saturday, and noticed that one was fine, but the other still had the coupler overhang. I agree completely that they are lovely, helpful people though!

 

[TomBR]

I'll third the comment that Greg and Juliet are lovely people, it was a pleasure meeting them (and all the other members of this forum who came to the Rally on Sat.)
I guess if it was something that affected earlier instruments they may still have some around, but they're not Hewlett Packard! They're real and approachable people who can be asked questions.
I only had time for a brief play on a Black Diamond on Saturday but having had the chance to play some very classy boxes not long before, I would still have been comfortable if the BD had been the one I was taking home.
Tom

 

[Cawsleigh]

I was at SECBAR too and what a wonderful event it was! So good not to feel alone anymore with my CBA fascination!

Black Diamond was my way into the CBA world and i'm hugely grateful to them. My main instrument is an Allodi 26/72 piano accordion, i first saw Martin Jacques of the Tiger Lilies playing one and knew it was the box for me! Three years ago i was at Tenterden Folk Festival in Kent and saw a morris side there all clad in pink (any idea who that was?) and they had a chap playing an Allodi CBA for them. I couldn't believe it, it was exactly like my piano box in dimensions and number of treble reeds & bass but with buttons! As a potential beginner i couldn't afford to just buy a brand new Allodi but have been drooling over various makes on the internet ever since. Last summer i bought a Black Diamond C system CBA at Sidmouth FF and have been enjoying it ever since.

I think they're doing a really wonderful thing in making beginner instruments much more affordable and i can see the benefits of CBAs attracting many folk and morris players, especially given how compact and light they are. Obviously they are not the highest end quality, my box reminds me very much in sound and feel to the 2000's Hohner Student 48 i had before my Allodi. The action is a little stiff & slow and the buttons go down further than a more pricey box, and of course the balance between bass and treble end isn't perfect but as a beginners box it is ideal and exactly what you need. You don't want some flashy thing as your first box because you'd only end up like those sad devils who buy the most expensive guitars only to occasionally strum out Smoke on the Water!

With the combined ease of availability and increased public interest in the instrument (SECBAR has come about) this could well be the seeds of CBAs finally taking a hold in the UK...

 

[bocsa]

Cawsleigh ....
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[Cawsleigh]

YES!! That's the ones!

I must find out the box players name and invite him to join typewriters anonymous!