First Accordion

[LibraryJoe]

So here it is, my first accordion! It’s a Stradavox LMH 120 bass tuned to 440

I think it sounds and plays great. It is very clean, no musty smell, bellows in great shape In the end I didn’t end up getting a musette but I am very happy. I purchased it at Liberty Bellows.

Congratulations on your new accordion! I spoke privately with you a while back, and think you made a wise choice buying at Liberty Bellows, especially as it's your first accordion, and LB really offers a lot of choice. I found them to be very patient as I "shopped" and decided. As a matter of fact, last week I too just drove up to Philly, bribed my wife with a meal, and spent the night.
My year long experiment playing Chromatic Button Accordion just ended, and I took two CBA's to LB. (I previously bought one from them, and another off EBay). Mike accepted two for a very slightly used Beltuna which I really like. As you journey along, perhaps you'll follow me with my collection-- a 120 bass (ladies size), a 96 bass, and my new 72 bass.
Best wishes, Joe

 

[ColoRodney]

Sweet! Looks like an excellent size. With that tuning, you should learn some tango and Eastern European dance tunes.

 

[Squeezeplay]

Good idea to purchase from a reputable shop. Especially your first…you may have paid slightly more than buying privately, but you got a good box from a reputable dealer who stands behind what they sell, and your time with it will be enjoyable.

 

[noelekal]

Yea Stradavox!

Yea Quinn Is In!

We can be Stradavox brothers.

www.accordionists.info/threads/the-stradavox-thread

My main squeeze for decades has been a Stradavox. I love its playing characteristics and it has been bullet proof reliable. It is larger than yours though and heavy. Before I acquired it used it served as the port side anchor on the Battleship Texas.

Here's a rare World War II era color photograph of the mighty Stradavox ...er Texas firing a full broadside.

 

[dak]

My main squeeze for decades has been a Stradavox. I love its playing characteristics and it has been bullet proof reliable. It is larger than yours though and heavy. Before I acquired it used it served as the port side anchor on the Battleship Texas.

Let me guess: they retired it eventually because the ship was listing to port.

 

[Quin Is In]

Yea Stradavox!

Yea Quinn Is In!

We can be Stradavox brothers.

www.accordionists.info/threads/the-stradavox-thread

My main squeeze for decades has been a Stradavox. I love its playing characteristics and it has been bullet proof reliable. It is larger than yours though and heavy. Before I acquired it used it served as the port side anchor on the Battleship Texas.

Here's a rare World War II era color photograph of the mighty Stradavox ...er Texas firing a full broadside.

That’s funny brother!

It is heavy though. Mine weighs in at 25lbs. But I like the action of the keyboard and it sounds wonderful.

 

[JudyKimp]

If you can give your wife any advice at all (without ruining the surprise) the most important message to get across is to NOT have her buy a Chinese accordion. Something like an used Titano is a good idea. Anything new within the 2k budget will be Chinese. Don't let her be fooled by nice Italian sounding names like "Scarlatti" or "Paganini"... There is a list on this site of Chinese accordion names. Give that list to her.

Absolutely!!!! I played a friend of mine's accordion, that he bought because it was purple (his favorite color) - it was Chinese. I played it for a few seconds and the sound made me want to throw up!!!

 

[Dingo40]

In the end I didn’t end up getting a musette

That's no major loss: you can still play anything at all and musette (I do have one in my own "collection") can get a bit "stale" after a while.
Looks good and fits well.
They used to say, the heavier the accordion, the better it is!

 

[Rosie C]

That's no major loss: you can still play anything at all and musette (I do have one in my own "collection") can get a bit "stale" after a while.

How long is a while? 18 months for me so far and I still always have musette on Mind you, I'm chasing the sound of hurdygurdy and shawm.

 

[dak]

Mind you, I'm chasing the sound of hurdygurdy and shawm.

How barbaric. Just shoot and eat it. Chasing it (and with musette on, no less) is kind of medieval.

 

[Dingo40]

How long is a while?

Depends on how "wet" it is and your taste in music, I suppose!