HOHNER IMPERIAL I OR II differences

[darticus]

Are these both the small size. I know they made the small one and because of low weight I'm wondering if these are both the same animal? I think 9 inches across keys and about 6-7 pounds. Thanks Ron

 

[Morne]

Liberty Bellows has had a couple of those and theyve posted some info.

Violet Gold Hohner Imperial
Piano Accordion 9.5 25/12 4lbs
Reeds 2/4 MM, Registers 0/0
Video:

Navy Blue Hohner Imperial IA
Piano Accordion 9 25/12 5lbs
Reeds 2/4 MM, Registers 2/4
Video:

Midnight Blue Hohner Imperial II
Piano Accordion 9.5 25/24 5lbs
Reeds 2/4 MM, Registers 0/0
Video:

Cream Hohner Imperial IIA
Piano Accordion 9.5 25/32 6lbs
Reeds 2/4 MM, Registers 0/0
Video:

 

[darticus]

Liberty Bellows has had a couple of those and theyve posted some info.

Violet Gold Hohner Imperial
Piano Accordion 9.5 25/12 4lbs
Reeds 2/4 MM, Registers 0/0
Video:

Navy Blue Hohner Imperial IA
Piano Accordion 9 25/12 5lbs
Reeds 2/4 MM, Registers 2/4
Video:

Midnight Blue Hohner Imperial II
Piano Accordion 9.5 25/24 5lbs
Reeds 2/4 MM, Registers 0/0
Video:

Cream Hohner Imperial IIA
Piano Accordion 9.5 25/32 6lbs
Reeds 2/4 MM, Registers 0/0
Video:

Thanks for that info. It looks like they are about the same in size. Thanks again Ron

 

[Theo]

They are exactly the same size.

 

[darticus]

They are exactly the same size.

Thanks very much. Ron

 

[Deleted member 48]

I have an old Hohner Imperial I PA accordion at home and my data are similar to these:
1135 - Navy Blue Hohner Imperial IA MM 12 $495

On my precision scale, my Hohner Imperial I is 2,23 kg (2.232 grams, including the thin leather shoulder straps), and 23,5 cm high.

It is 2 reeds/voices (8+8) MM, and has 12 major basses in stradella layout.

This prooves a unisonoric chromatic accordion can be as lightweight as the smallest of bisonoric diatonic accordions.

For comparison: The 2 row bisonoric diatonic Hohner Vienna model 2915 is heavier with 2,6 kg ! (it is 28 cm high) :
http://us.playhohner.com/instruments/accordions/diatonic/vienna/vienna-model-2915/

 

[darticus]

I have an old Hohner Imperial I PA accordion at home and my data are similar to these:
1135 - Navy Blue Hohner Imperial IA MM 12 $495

On my precision scale, my Hohner Imperial I is 2,23 kg (2.232 grams, including the thin leather shoulder straps), and 23,5 cm high.

It is 2 reeds/voices (8+8) MM, and has 12 major basses in stradella layout.

This prooves a unisonoric chromatic accordion can be as lightweight as the smallest of bisonoric diatonic accordions.

For comparison: The 2 row bisonoric diatonic Hohner Vienna model 2915 is heavier with 2,6 kg ! (it is 28 cm high) :
http://us.playhohner.com/instruments/accordions/diatonic/vienna/vienna-model-2915/

Very good info Thanks. I would like to find a blue one at a reasonable price. Ron

 

[Deleted member 48]

I found mine at a low price. Dont spend too much money, because the Imperial models date from the 1930s-1940s.
They are unique in size and weight, and very well made, but after so many years, no accordion is expected to be in perfect condition.
Unless you are prepared to invest some money in repair. That is possible, mine is in a remarkably good state, except for the crumbled / dried out wax.
The bellows, action, pearloid, piano keys, ... all is in very good condition, except the crumbled wax. I think rewaxing would restore it in very good condition.

But Im a CBA player, and the Imperial are PA. I just bought it to take it to some artisan accordion makers, to show it is possible to make 2,2 kg chromatic accordions with 25 notes (and 8+8 !) + 12 basses.

Some day, I hope to get a CBA (with 25/26 notes) and with 12/14/16 basses for a comparable size and weight.
This will not be easy because accordion makers will have to make new building schemes for such an accordion.

This Hohnica 12 bass had a very interesting PA layout, starting with low G3 (+ 12 basses), but 13 lbs (!), way too heavy (that would be around 5,8 kg ...)
http://www.westmusic.com/p/hohner-1303-red-hohnica-12-bass-piano-accordion-100801
This makes it a more interesting range than the Imperials (who started with a C note)

Thats what makes the Hohner Imperial I so unique, the makers tested the limits. (The Imperial I and II(a) models were aimed at backpackers and travelers)

 

[darticus]

I found mine at a low price. Dont spend too much money, because the Imperial models date from the 1930s-1940s.
They are unique in size and weight, and very well made, but after so many years, no accordion is expected to be in perfect condition.
Unless you are prepared to invest some money in repair. That is possible, mine is in a remarkably good state, except for the crumbled / dried out wax.
The bellows, action, pearloid, piano keys, ... all is in very good condition, except the crumbled wax. I think rewaxing would restore it in very good condition.

But Im a CBA player, and the Imperial are PA. I just bought it to take it to some artisan accordion makers, to show it is possible to make 2,2 kg chromatic accordions with 25 notes (and 8+8 !) + 12 basses.

Some day, I hope to get a CBA (with 25/26 notes) and with 12/14/16 basses for a comparable size and weight.
This will not be easy because accordion makers will have to make new building schemes for such an accordion.

This Hohnica 12 bass had a very interesting PA layout, starting with low G3 (+ 12 basses), but 13 lbs (!), way too heavy (that would be around 5,8 kg ...)
http://www.westmusic.com/p/hohner-1303-red-hohnica-12-bass-piano-accordion-100801
This makes it a more interesting range than the Imperials (who started with a C note)

Thats what makes the Hohner Imperial I so unique, the makers tested the limits. (The Imperial I and II(a) models were aimed at backpackers and travelers)

Thanks for all the info. I will keep looking. I am willing to fix if I find one. Ron

 

[Deleted member 48]

Some information on the Hohner Regina, cousin of the Imperial I
http://antebelluminstruments.blogspot.be/2012/03/c1930-hohner-german-regina-12-bass.html

Good luck with your search.
There are still some Imperial availabe in online sales, and its possible to spot a remaining Regina.

This one is sold:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hohner-Impe...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

I have a green pearloid Imperial I, and I love the looks of the green pearloid.
Im a big pearloid fan when it comes to accordions.

I had a good laugh to read in an online description, comparing pearloid to mother of pearl, the pearloid being described as mother of toilet seat

But I love the pearloid marble imitations, in all sorts of colours and variations. Huge fan !

 

[darticus]

I like the small accordions and wonder how many colors they came in. Thanks Ron

Some information on the Hohner Regina, cousin of the Imperial I
http://antebelluminstruments.blogspot.be/2012/03/c1930-hohner-german-regina-12-bass.html

Good luck with your search.
There are still some Imperial availabe in online sales, and its possible to spot a remaining Regina.

This one is sold:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hohner-Impe...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

I have a green pearloid Imperial I, and I love the looks of the green pearloid.
Im a big pearloid fan when it comes to accordions.

I had a good laugh to read in an online description, comparing pearloid to mother of pearl, the pearloid being described as mother of toilet seat

But I love the pearloid marble imitations, in all sorts of colours and variations. Huge fan !