Double Keyboard Soprani Luttbeg

[Oilybohunk]

Hello Everyone, Thank you for adding me to your group. I hope you can help me with determining the value of a Soprani Luttbeg double keyboard accordion. My mother-in-law was given it by an old gentleman that she used to care for. I know absolutely nothing about accordions, but this seems to be quite rare. From what I have been able to research there were 8-12 of these made around 1931. It appears to be a beautiful instrument, but again this is coming from untrained eyes and ears. Could anyone give me some guidance on the value of this instrument? Also, if anyone is interested in purchasing, please feel free to contact me. I also found this video of one being played. Thanks.

 

[Ffingers]

Welcome, Oilybohunk.
Write a little about yourself in the 'New on here?' section.
That is an intriguing squeezie for sure.

 

[Scuromondo]

It seems that the keys on the left side are individual notes and not chords like on a typical Stradella keyboard, is that correct? It certainly has a striking, unique appearance. But I’m wondering about the keyboard adjustment on that left side; is it just the way I’m looking at the photo, or do some of the keys (particularly those near the bottom) appear to be (unintentionally) positioned somewhat higher than the others?

 

[AccordionUprising]

Kimric Smythe from Smythe's Accordion Center in Oakland has written about and fixed them. He might have ideas about selling it.
http://www.smythesaccordioncenter.com
or
https://www.instagram.com/smythes_accordion_center/

I'll email him a link to your post.

 

[Dingo40]

Welcome Oilybohunk:??

Here's more about the Luttbeg accordion .

Scuromondo,
As you can see in the illustrations, the left hand keyboard is arranged crescent-wise.??

The Luttbeg Accordion

I was going through several boxes of accordion sheet music when I stumbled across this. I had seen several dual keyboard accordions on eBay and elsewhere over the years , but never a book on one. ...

www.smythesaccordioncenter.com

And still more:

Luttbeg by Settimio Soprani Doppelklaviatur, ca 1935 (Nr. 74) – AKKORDEON MUSEUM – "Sammlung historische Handharmonika 1830 – 1945"

akkordeon-museum.ch

 

[Oilybohunk]

Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[AccordionUprising]

Kimric Smythe from Smythe's Accordion Center in Oakland has written about and fixed them. He might have ideas about selling it.
http://www.smythesaccordioncenter.com
or
https://www.instagram.com/smythes_accordion_center/

I'll email him a link to your post.

I checked with Kimric and he responded:

"I recommend e-bay. I sold one to a museum in Switzerland awhile back for about $1200. I had done a full cosmetic/mechanical restoration but it still needed tuning/wax.
"There was one at the museum in Tula [Russia] when I was there too."

So, it's certainly worth something to the right buyer. The better the condition/restoration, it'll be worth more.

Perhaps look at musical instrument museums? They might be looking for donations, but if you can use a tax write-off, there you go.

I'd ask:
Darcy Kuronen or someone at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

The National Music Museum in South Dakota
https://www.nmmusd.org

The Museum of Making Music near San Diego
https://www.museumofmakingmusic.org

The World of Accordions Museum in Wisconsin may have one, or should want one!
http://www.worldofaccordions.org/welcome.html

The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix
https://mim.org

 

[Oilybohunk]

I checked with Kimric and he responded:

"I recommend e-bay. I sold one to a museum in Switzerland awhile back for about $1200. I had done a full cosmetic/mechanical restoration but it still needed tuning/wax.
"There was one at the museum in Tula [Russia] when I was there too."

So, it's certainly worth something to the right buyer. The better the condition/restoration, it'll be worth more.

Perhaps look at musical instrument museums? They might be looking for donations, but if you can use a tax write-off, there you go.

I'd ask:
Darcy Kuronen or someone at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

The National Music Museum in South Dakota
https://www.nmmusd.org

The Museum of Making Music near San Diego
https://www.museumofmakingmusic.org

The World of Accordions Museum in Wisconsin may have one, or should want one!
http://www.worldofaccordions.org/welcome.html

The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix
https://mim.org

Great info. Thanks. After your first post, I called and spoke to Kimric. You are all a fountain of info.

 

[Oilybohunk]

It seems that the keys on the left side are individual notes and not chords like on a typical Stradella keyboard, is that correct? It certainly has a striking, unique appearance. But I’m wondering about the keyboard adjustment on that left side; is it just the way I’m looking at the photo, or do some of the keys (particularly those near the bottom) appear to be (unintentionally) positioned somewhat higher than the others?

I really can't tell you anything in comparison to other accordions, as it the first one I've ever held, but here's a picture of that keyboard.

 

[Joerg]

I was glad to find your information on the accordion Soprani Luttbeg with double side piano keys. I do have one from my mother which I can not play on. It is stored for decades and I would like to sell it. Is there a price range today besides the mentioned one sold to a Swiss museum? Thanks for your answer.

 

[Waldo]

I'm wondering if either of the accordions have been sold, or not? I'm potentially interested, although, not at $1200.00. PM if you want to.

Waldo

 

[s11141827]

I really can't tell you anything in comparison to other accordions, as it the first one I've ever held, but here's a picture of that keyboard.

The Bass Keyboard is shaped like a Semi-Circle.

 

[Dingo40]

Here's another clip:
An early free bass?

From the video notes:
"This instrument is located in the new Accordion Museum. More information here: https://akkordeon-museum.ch/luttbeg-b..."

Akkordeon-museum.ch

 

[Dingo40]

I'm wondering if either of the accordions have been sold, or not? I'm potentially interested,

Waldo,
Did you buy it ?