Hohner Lucia 2 80 bass

[Hutzpah]

Just brought my first accordion, what is your view on this make/model?
Are there many accordions that come apart like this model?
I was a bit lost at first as its the only one I’ve seen with no pins.
Impressed how simply it comes apart.

Thanks

 

[dak]

Lucia had problems with its pallets (don't worry if it plays ok: they would have surfaced long ago and very probably have been fixed long ago). It was either disintegrating foam or glue seeping through the pads and making the keys stick (at least when playing first).

When that is dealt with, it was a class above Student models if I remember correctly.

 

[Big Squeezy Accordions]

I like Lucias. It's a smaller version of a Hohner Atlantic. Very lightweight, with a bright, loud sound and a deep, fat German bass. The metal shell construction and lack of almost any wood does cost it some warmth of tone but, as you say, they are very easy to work on, with the keys being individually removable and the whole thing being simple to take apart. The rubber bits in the keyboard (Wechselgummis) tend to wear out and need replacing. Also, I find the action too deep for my liking, and will remove the keys and replace the (usually synthetic) padding under the keys with real, thicker felt. If you go too far with this, you risk altering the tuning, particularly for the black keys. My friend likes this model so much that he has 7 of them, most of which I've worked on.

 

[PhiliGol]

My friend likes this model so much that he has 7 of them, most of which I've worked on.

Wow - he must be a true Lucia aficionado.
Also you know this model extremely well - can confirm all your observations.

 

[Big Squeezy Accordions]

Wow - he must be a true Lucia aficionado.
Also you know this model extremely well - can confirm all your observations.

Yeah, it's a bit excessive, but he feels they all are unique.

 

[Glug]

Another fine feature is the removable bass mechanism, also fairly easy to adjust the bass slack.

1959 Lucia IV P owner

Edit: And I like the bellows lock too.