Date these Sonola r/20 r20 accordions?

[alexandhisaccordion]

Hi folks,

Is there a way to approximately date these Sonola r/20 accordions by looking at the logo badges?

Or if anyone has general info about Sonola or the R/20 model, it would be appreciated! Many thanks

 

[dimthars]

amazing logo on the first one...

 

[Dingo40]

I have one with a similar logo ?

 

[JIM D.]

Late 50's thru the 60's

 

[alexandhisaccordion]

Late 50's thru the 60's

Thankyou this is interesting, and quite different from other opinions I've had for the second photo at least. Could I ask what are you basing this on, or is it just from the cosmetic appearance? Many thanks

 

[JIM D.]

I've worked on Sonola models for years starting in the 60's.

 

[alexandhisaccordion]

I've worked on Sonola models for years starting in the 60's.

Ok thankyou

 

[AccordionUprising]

Based only on the aesthetics, I'd assume the first photo with the loopy logo would be a later "modernized" version of the second chrome "star/rays" one.

I was going to guess the "curvy" logo one was maybe from the 1980s. With stylized version of the old chrome grill rays.
This link says 1980s too, which might be right: https://www.shpock.com/en-gb/i/X6bCQh2skzuhT7FH/sonola-r20-piano-accordion

I've seen many like the other one with the chrome grill rays/wings (or whatever we call them) dating back to the 1950s and later. Here's a thing from 1957 with Ernie Felice playing what looks like slightly earlier models? https://www.erniefelice.com/background-2.html So late 50s or 60s for the second one seems likely.

There's lots more of the chrome ones out there I believe, which supports them being from the 1950-60s, when hundreds of thousands of accordions were sold every year. While the later one with a more stylized grill would be later and less common, since they were making far fewer accordions after the 1970s. No telling the quality/value of either. The craftsmanship of the older ones might be better or worse, but aging can impact the condition a lot.

I am mostly guessing from looking at a lot of historical photos. Definitely listen to folks who were there repairing and selling them back then.

 

[alexandhisaccordion]

Based only on the aesthetics, I'd assume the first photo with the loopy logo would be a later "modernized" version of the second chrome "star/rays" one.

I was going to guess the "curvy" logo one was maybe from the 1980s. With stylized version of the old chrome grill rays.
This link says 1980s too, which might be right: https://www.shpock.com/en-gb/i/X6bCQh2skzuhT7FH/sonola-r20-piano-accordion

I've seen many like the other one with the chrome grill rays/wings (or whatever we call them) dating back to the 1950s and later. Here's a thing from 1957 with Ernie Felice playing what looks like slightly earlier models? https://www.erniefelice.com/background-2.html So late 50s or 60s for the second one seems likely.

There's lots more of the chrome ones out there I believe, which supports them being from the 1950-60s, when hundreds of thousands of accordions were sold every year. While the later one with a more stylized grill would be later and less common, since they were making far fewer accordions after the 1970s. No telling the quality/value of either. The craftsmanship of the older ones might be better or worse, but aging can impact the condition a lot.

I am mostly guessing from looking at a lot of historical photos. Definitely listen to folks who were there repairing and selling them back then.

Thanks for sharing this, very useful.

 

[alexandhisaccordion]

Thanks for sharing this, very useful.

Based only on the aesthetics, I'd assume the first photo with the loopy logo would be a later "modernized" version of the second chrome "star/rays" one.

I was going to guess the "curvy" logo one was maybe from the 1980s. With stylized version of the old chrome grill rays.
This link says 1980s too, which might be right: https://www.shpock.com/en-gb/i/X6bCQh2skzuhT7FH/sonola-r20-piano-accordion

I've seen many like the other one with the chrome grill rays/wings (or whatever we call them) dating back to the 1950s and later. Here's a thing from 1957 with Ernie Felice playing what looks like slightly earlier models? https://www.erniefelice.com/background-2.html So late 50s or 60s for the second one seems likely.

There's lots more of the chrome ones out there I believe, which supports them being from the 1950-60s, when hundreds of thousands of accordions were sold every year. While the later one with a more stylized grill would be later and less common, since they were making far fewer accordions after the 1970s. No telling the quality/value of either. The craftsmanship of the older ones might be better or worse, but aging can impact the condition a lot.

I am mostly guessing from looking at a lot of historical photos. Definitely listen to folks who were there repairing and selling them back then.

I suppose my only query is that the ones I've seen from 50s / 60s era have a different badge without the 'Castlefidaro' wording on it.

 

[JIM D.]

Sonola was bought out by Guerrini in 1973 -- still badged Sonola but realy Guerrini accordions models. The Grills look like this ===

Sonola (Guerrini) Acadamy 5 Professional Accordion - Mint Condition | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Sonola (Guerrini) Acadamy 5 Professional Accordion - Mint Condition at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[alexandhisaccordion]

Sonola was bought out by Guerrini in 1973 -- still badged Sonola but realy Guerrini accordions models. The Grills look like this ===

Sonola (Guerrini) Acadamy 5 Professional Accordion - Mint Condition | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Sonola (Guerrini) Acadamy 5 Professional Accordion - Mint Condition at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

This is interesting, my one definitely doesn't look like this which makes me think it was from an earlier era. However, I have been digging online and found a catalogue photos from 1979/80 showing one of these for sale new (I think). Then another one claiming to be from 1982, I think from the same store, and based on the price inflation would seem about right.

This is the strongest evidence I've seen so far of a later manufacture date. But of course they may have been made in 1972 and been on the shelf for 10 years? Anyone, have an idea on this please?