Hohner 48 bass PA

[Rosie C]

so have you all determined the bell and red hohner were made in Germany ?
and has anyone looked inside one of these, to say if they definitely had
german made reeds or Italian ?

The red Hohners and the Bell all had "made in Germany" written on, though as has been mentioned by others, that's no guarantee. But I'll be taking mine apart before too long to fit a microphone system, so I'll get some photos then/

how unique or maybe to say how critical is having German made reeds
from the days when Trossingen was truly in full swing, for the sound
you all seem to just knw is the real thing.. the old Hohner sound ?

I couldn't say what the reeds are, but the sound of them was very familiar. Not so the Weltmeister - it had a lovely sound, but it was different somehow.

 

[Plinky]

oh Plinky, that is very revealing seeing all 3 side by side

Hi Ventura both the Hohner and the bell have Hohner Germany stamped and on the base mechanism,but I was chatting to a chap ,that had an instrument shop, I can't remember if it was 50/60 or 70s that some were made in the Czech Republic,and some rather well known Italian brands were using Czech parts?

The black one is the silent key version.
My mate has the older bravo 48 ,that's why I bought one ,he's had his for several years ,and god knows how it's still working you can see the beer stains on the bellows,but it's just for gigs he doesn't want to take his handmade box out.

He did an inspection of mine,and it does seem to have several upgrades and I know that the quality control at Hohner can be a bit hit and miss
So I bought it from a shop that he recommended,that gives everything once over before they send it out.

It plays really well, everything works just as it should, and he really liked it.

But I think it was really designed to sound "vanilla"
He also said the T reeds in the new china Hohners are made in the Czech Republic and are also used in weltmeister.

The old Student and bell ,are rattly, lots of keyboard noise, the bass is far too loud for the treble side but they have a sort of “character” and the more I play the older boxes the more I like them.

I really try not to, but I think American /European instruments evoke a passion in me ,it's not so much quality its?

This is my 1920s Vega/Weymann short scale Tubaphone tenor
I have played far Eastern banjos with much better projection,stainless steel frets easier to play …………..But the Vega has a certain something.

 

[Plinky]

I'm curious how old it is, I love the design, I'm thinking maybe 1960s?

Hi Rose this is Hohners manufacturing dates list, for Hohner melodeons and accordions If its a student vm 1953/57 it might be useful

 

[Rosie C]

the action is different and might feel boxy by comparison

You're right. It seemed fine at the dealer's but when I got it home, played a bit, swapped to my Concerto then back. I didn't like the treble action.

So the saga continues! Happily the guy I bought from has been very accomodating, so I'm going back tomorrow to collect the Weltmeister that I liked so much last week. I should have listened to my gut, but I felt I was being distracted by something new and shiny - when I'd come to buy something cheaper that I wouldn't have to worry so much about. A kilo heavier at 5.6, but the action is lovely. It says "Made in Germany" but I'm guessing reeds probably made elsewhere?

 

[Plinky]

"Made in Germany" but I'm guessing reeds probably made elsewhere?

Rosie to be honest as I'm getting more used to an accordion from the melodeons ,the 50s Hohner student Vm is an absolute joy to play.
I think quite a lot of it ,is the springs have 60 years wear on them !
and the bellows are well broken in.

Both the Bravo and the Bugari were stiffer to play, obviously a factor in new accordion springs is longevity.

My first guitar was incredibly difficult to play,but I learned so much from it and it really strengthened my hand and wrist.

So I'm kind of looking at the bravo as being my workhorse,to be fair it's not that big a difference and the Bravo does have a much better key(black keys)arrangement?so it really helps with accuracy.

The Weltmeister looks great,if it sounds and plays well .I wouldn't worry too much where things are made.
I was made in London and seem to function adequately

 

[Ventura]

You're right. It seemed fine at the dealer's but when I got it home, played a bit, swapped to my Concerto then back. I didn't like the treble action.

So the saga continues!

that's a big advantage that your dealer is easy to work with

yeah those smaller boxes have a shorter keypivot point and a bit deeper throw
which is why i used "boxy" as the adjective.. so the surface of the key deflects
at a steeper angle which can feel strange if you are used to a more typical keyboard

hey, there are some very nice Welty's, and some are toys of course, but you
are learning to be a good judge and if necessary have him give you a look inside..
it impressed you in a memorable way at first squeeze..

hopefully it is closer to the feel you are accustomed to.. as a professional,
whatever you use has to support, not impede, your performance at a gig..
which is always the bottom line

 

[OuijaBoard]

You're right. It seemed fine at the dealer's but when I got it home, played a bit, swapped to my Concerto then back. I didn't like the treble action.

So the saga continues! Happily the guy I bought from has been very accomodating, so I'm going back tomorrow to collect the Weltmeister that I liked so much last week. I should have listened to my gut, but I felt I was being distracted by something new and shiny - when I'd come to buy something cheaper that I wouldn't have to worry so much about. A kilo heavier at 5.6, but the action is lovely. It says "Made in Germany" but I'm guessing reeds probably made elsewhere?

This is what I meant upthread about action in the new Welts perhaps being preferable to the vintage Hohners (and to be fair, to the vintage Italian 26/48s)--as I understand it, contemporary Welt's have the last and best improvements to the action Hohner gave the West German Workhorses before things moved to Asia. The Concertos with a "T" after the model name had that action. I acquired a couple of used contemporary small Welts over the last 5 years or so, and action-wise they're as easy as pie to play. One is your Perle 26/48. It's kept at my office for practice on breaks when I'm writing reports alone there late at night. Hope it's a good match for you!

The reeds are Czech macchina reeds, and the "vibe" of the tone is pretty close to the old German Hohner reeds--perhaps tad less strong in the "guts" or core, but it's in the ballpark. A charming folk/roots/trad sound.

It might weigh a bit more than what you had, but for the record, the 5.6kg is lighter than some Italian 26/48. Reason being the build is lighter--or "flimsier" depending on your perspective. If you treat it like it's fragile, it should be fine and dandy. I've had an MM Welt CBA sitting around for over a decade--got it used at a shockingly low price on ebay over 12 years ago and learned the layout on it. And it's in the same condition today as then, so they're hardy, you just want to remember the frame or chassis is lighter and not as thick as the Italian builds.

 

[Rosie C]

My first guitar was incredibly difficult to play,but I learned so much from it and it really strengthened my hand and wrist.

My final attempt to play guitar resulted in RSI in my wrist. But I play mandocello now and very happy I am with it!

The Weltmeister looks great,if it sounds and plays well .I wouldn't worry too much where things are made.
I was made in London and seem to function adequately

I mentioned it somewhat tongue in cheek as when I bought my first Hohner I proudly declared it was "Made in West Germany", for the regulars around here to gently explain they stamped that on all their accordions!

 

[Rosie C]

that's a big advantage that your dealer is easy to work with

Indeed, for the record it's Nigel at https://www.fairdealaccordions.com/ a top bloke, who I have no hesitation in recommending.

hey, there are some very nice Welty's, and some are toys of course, but you
are learning to be a good judge and if necessary have him give you a look inside..
it impressed you in a memorable way at first squeeze..

Yes, something about it when I picked it up and played it. Hard to put my finger on...

 

[Rosie C]

I acquired a couple of used contemporary small Welts over the last 5 years or so, and action-wise they're as easy as pie to play. One is your Perle 26/48. It's kept at my office for practice on breaks when I'm writing reports alone there late at night. Hope it's a good match for you!

Thanks!

The reeds are Czech macchina reeds, and the "vibe" of the tone is pretty close to the old German Hohner reeds--perhaps tad less strong in the "guts" or core, but it's in the ballpark. A charming folk/roots/trad sound.

Its sound did appeal, so off we go tomorrow... accordion number 6! (though I have sold and part-ex'd some!)

 

[Plinky]

I mentioned it somewhat tongue in cheek as when I bought my first Hohner I proudly declared it was "Made in West Germany", for the regulars around here to gently explain they stamped that on all their accordions!

Hi Rosie yes I'm aware that some were made in the Czech Republic,and various companies use Czech Republic reads,
And the group of Chinese workman ,that made my Bravo had no traditional knowledge or passion
And probably wouldn't know an accordion if it fell on them,but i kinda like that now as it takes pressure off my playing

 

[vivdunstan]

I’ve got a recent new Weltmeister Perle 48 in blue, and really like it. It is a compromise on the chords that I can play, but for what it does it does it well. And the sound packs some punch. Hope you have a good outcome!

@Rosie C here‘s my old post where I uploaded a sound recording of my Perle not long after I got it:

Post in thread 'Weltmeister Perle 26/48 MM or Hohner Bravo II 26/48 MM'
https://www.accordionists.info/thre...m-or-hohner-bravo-ii-26-48-mm.8943/post-92969

 

[Rosie C]

I’ve got a recent new Weltmeister Perle 48 in blue, and really like it. It is a compromise on the chords that I can play, but for what it does it does it well. And the sound packs some punch. Hope you have a good outcome!

@Rosie C here‘s my old post where I uploaded a sound recording of my Perle not long after I got it:

Post in thread 'Weltmeister Perle 26/48 MM or Hohner Bravo II 26/48 MM'
https://www.accordionists.info/thre...m-or-hohner-bravo-ii-26-48-mm.8943/post-92969

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Rosie C]

Off to the accordion shop!

It looks pretty dramatic but we have:
- Hohner 48 with hard and soft cases
- hard case for the Concerto that I forgot last week
- My Settimio Soprani to measure up for new straps
- small dog

 

[Tom]

Off to the accordion shop!

It looks pretty dramatic but we have:
- Hohner 48 with hard and soft cases
- hard case for the Concerto that I forgot last week
- My Settimio Soprani to measure up for new straps
- small dog

Good luck! You have the small dog, that’s the main thing….

 

[Jeremyh]

My final attempt to play guitar resulted in RSI in my wrist. But I play mandocello now and very happy I am with it!



I mentioned it somewhat tongue in cheek as when I bought my first Hohner I proudly declared it was "Made in West Germany", for the regulars around here to gently explain they stamped that on all their accordions!

Well off topic (maybe mandolincafe would be better) but which mandocello do you play? I am an octave mandola player myself and keep wondering if I should go the extra few inches.

 

[Rosie C]

Well off topic (maybe mandolincafe would be better) but which mandocello do you play? I am an octave mandola player myself and keep wondering if I should go the extra few inches.

I play both mandocello and octave mandolin actually. I have a Goldtone mandocello, it is a lovely instrument for playing rhythm chords, but I find it just that bit too big too pick out melodies on. I'm not as good with octave mandolin, but I bought it for picking - a relatively cheap one from Thomann. I've not yet persuaded my brain to do the internal 'flip' between CGDA and GDAE, but it will come one day.

 

[Ventura]

retune it to CDGA ?

i took a 3/4 size nylon string guitar, re-mathed the strings,
then strung and tuned it like a Ukelele for the neighbor girl
with an octave drop 1st string and doubled 6th string

they have a Uke band, and this added a deeper sound/flavor
but no-one had to change what they were doing or
re-figure arrangements

 

[Rosie C]

retune it to CDGA ?

i took a 3/4 size nylon string guitar, re-mathed the strings,
then strung and tuned it like a Ukelele for the neighbor girl
with an octave drop 1st string and doubled 6th string

they have a Uke band, and this added a deeper sound/flavor
but no-one had to change what they were doing or
re-figure arrangements

I suppose I could - move the lower three strings up one notch, then as you say do something clever with the bottom string.

 

[murathan]

These two switched Hohner models have the best musette sound compared to almost every other (cheaper category) accordion. If you think to use musette only, these are the best. Here is an example of my student plays: