Bugari Superfisa Model?

[SwedishNewbie]

Hello everyone!

This accordion belonged to my grandfather, but I don't know much about accordions and have tried to search online for information about it without much luck.
It appears to be a Superfisa, but it's difficult to find detailed information, especially about the piano variant, even on the Bugaria homepage.
Does anyone have any idea about the model or any other facts regarding it? I know he played on and off most off his life

If you want to learn the accordion, is this overkill, or a good accoridon to start on?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Tom]

Welcome Swede! I’m sorry I have no facts for you. But in answer to your final question, as long as it is in good playable condition it is not overkill, but the perfect accordion to start learning. If it was good enough for Grandpa, it’s even better for you. Good luck!!!!!

 

[PhiliGol]

Welcome to Sweden from Bavaria

Though I'm playing a Bugari myself I can't help you a lot on this particular model.
All I can tell you that it's not on their actual model-list, which presumably you've already discovered yourself.
It's a 41 (treble-key) / 120 (bass-key) instrument which can be regarded a full-size piano-accordion.
Remarkably it only comes with 3 treble reed-sets, which indicates that it's a light-weight model - eventually your Grandpa payed attention to get a compact / light-weight instrument with good sound.
From the photos it looks in mint condition - the bellow-strips even on the back-side just look immaculate.
I don't know Bugari's numbering-scheme (I even didn't find the serial-no on my instrument yet) but maybe 86 is the year of manufacturing - just wild guessing .

It looks like Bugari doesn't have a distributor in Sweden (quite a few in Finland though) so maybe they're willing to give you more details if you directly contact them via their homepage:
https://www.bugariarmando.com

 

[Ben-jammin]

It's a 41 (treble-key) / 120 (bass-key) instrument which can be regarded a full-size piano-accordion.

Some would argue that full-size also implies adult sized keyboard of about 19” for 41 treble keys. Often smaller 41/120 instruments are considered compact.

But it does look to be a great instrument and would be fantastic to learn on.

 

[debra]

The line-up of Bugari used to consist of Juniorfisa, Seniorfisa, Superfisa, Championfisa, Champion Cassotto, Artist Cassotto and then several "deluxe" types of models.
Afaik the Superfisa is the best model Bugari made that has machine-reeds. From the Championfisa onwards we find tipo-a-mano reeds and a-mano reeds. Some people buy a Superfisa and based on how much they have to pay they think they have a high-end accordion with very nice sound. Alas, while this is a fine accordion it is at least two categories below the categories that have a sound people associate with Bugari accordions.

 

[Dingo40]

Welcome SN,
The Swedes have produced many skilled accordionists
I'd say, judging by the grill, your grandpa's accordion is from the late 1980s to the 1990s.

 

[Dingo40]

The photo of the coupler switches is somewhat fuzzy: within the white circle on each switch are 3 white lines and one or more white dots .
What is the maximum number for dots on one of the switches?
To me, it looks like 3 dots is the maximum, arranged in a single and a double pattern.
This would indicate a three voice setup, with a "low" voice and two "middle"voices , probably with some degree of musette or vibrato tuning between the two middle voices.
This will give you plenty of options as a learner or amateur enthusiast!
Bugari is one of the "name" brands but (as Paul Debra has already said) this is one of their lesser models, though still good.
It's like with cars: not all Mercedes are created equal!

 

[SwedishNewbie]

Thank you all for sharing your insights. Now I know a bit more. But I’m thinking about contacting Bugaria directly; maybe they can tell me more about the specific model.

@PhiliGol The fact that it is a lightweight option is an interesting observation. Because my mom said something about that, my grandfather found it sad that he couldn’t play as much because of the pain in his arms. And he didn’t have this one for to many years.

@Dingo40 I attached some more photos of the switches

@debra Do you know why they stopped making the Superfisa?

 

[debra]

...

@debra Do you know why they stopped making the Superfisa?

I don't know. All I know is that they stopped listing the Superfisa in their catalog. That does not even mean they stopped making it.
The catalog for instance lists a 4-voice 289/ARS/C accordion but in some periods they listed a 289/ARS/C4 (4-voice) and 289/ARS/C5 (5-voice). In the periods that the C5 was not listed, also not in the price lists given to dealers, they were will making them. I bought 289/ARS/C5 in a period where this accordion supposedly did not exist. I also saw a picture ones of a non-convertor 289/ARS as a 5 voice 45-key accordion (with just standard bass). I don't believe that ever appeared in the catalog.
What Bugari lists is kept such that there isn't an overwhelming amount of choice. The choice between a Seniorfisa and a Superfisa is likely meaningless to most customers (and I don't know the difference either). And if there is one thing to avoid it is questions the customer cannot answer or choices the customer cannot make. A customer who cannot make an informed choice between two seemingly identical options will simply just walk out without buying anything. That's a basic rule in sales. So especially in the lower-end models the choices must be clear.
If you are an informed customer Bugari will happily offer you choices that are not listed in the catalog, and options that are not listed (such as extra chin switches on models without chin switches).

 

[Dingo40]

I attached some more photos of the switches

Thanks for the photos!
Now we can definitely see it's a three voice (Low, Middle, Middle) instrument with tremulo.
This means the two middle voices are tuned to somewhat different pitches thereby producing a vibrato-like effect.
(The degree of tremolo varies according to a variety of cultural influences.
You definitely have a musette type of
"violin" coupler setting.
Also, you have a "saxophone " coupler setting which I like but some don't).
All in all, aimed at the entry/ amateur enthusiast market point.
Still, more than acceptable!

 

[dak]

Thanks for the photos!
Now we can definitely see it's a three voice (Low, Middle, Middle) instrument with tremulo.
This means the two middle voices are tuned to somewhat different pitches thereby producing a vibrato effect.

"Vibrato" is the wrong name. Vibrato is a variation in pitch, tremolo is a variation in loudness. Somewhat counterintuitively, an accordion tremolo is generated by two reeds with different (but fixed) pitch, resulting in a beating tone that is quite accurately called a tremolo. What to call a three-reed tremolo would be a lot more questionable, but why invent a different word? At least it isn't a vibrato since again all the constituent tones are of constant pitch.

 

[SwedishNewbie]

Some fun information: I received a prompt response from Bugari. Look below

Dear Michael ,

thank you for your nice words for our factory and our brand .

In reality this accordion is still in production but with an obviously totally different aesthetic from his accordion, but with the same specifications , infact it’s equal to our 160/SE model and so 41/120-4/5-11+7 ( the difference is in the number of treble and bass registers )

Here is the link of our current model : https://www.bugariarmando.com/en/fisarmonica/160-se-2/

Instead the year of production is 1986 and the reeds inside are TAM reeds .

We hope to help you .

Best regards,
Bugari Team

 

[Ben-jammin]

Some fun information: I received a prompt response from Bugari. Look below

Your instrument appears to have 3 sets of treble reeds and the instrument they show as the “same” has 4. It’s always possible your register legend doesn’t match what’s actually inside. I think it’s more likely the sold accordion series with multiple reed options.