I need help identifying this accordion.

[alabamaaccordion]

I found this in a flea market for what seemed like a steal. Although im a musician, I have limited knowledge on accordions. Any info on this would be highly appreciated. link to photo album of accordion

 

[Jim the box]

I found this http://www.musurgia.com/products.asp?ProductID=2494&CartID=832029252014 :?:

What do you want to know?

 

[JIM D.]

Are those spots on the white bellows tape mould ?? If so you will most likely find it in the interior of the accordion. Pull the bellows pins and take pic's of the reeds. JIM D.

 

[alabamaaccordion]

Are those spots on the white bellows tape mould ?? If so you will most likely find it in the interior of the accordion. Pull the bellows pins and take pics of the reeds. JIM D.

I snapped a few pictures this morning before going to work. I dont think its mold. I wiped some away, and it left nothing behind. I didnt want to try cleaning the whole thing without knowing what I need to do so first. I will take the pins out and look at the inside when I get off tonight. Ill be sure to take some pics. In the mean time, here are more pictures of the billows tape
it just seems dirty, suggestions on cleaning?

:?:

What do you want to know?[/quote]

Im interested in knowing how old it is, the model, and a suggested value. The link you sent me looks just like the one I have, but on the back it said 3445 and mine says 3871.

 

[JIM D.]

From your Pic's it looks like just scuff marks. You just might have a little jewel here. These were made between 1958 and the end of the 60's and for a student model accordion were well made. If it has been kept in good shape you will find it superior to a modern German made accordion of the same size and equipped reeds. Back in the day some Italian made student model accordions were constructed with aged wood ,100% beeswax and the same care as pro models. During these years and including today 95% of accordions ordered and shipped to the US are of 120 bass buttons no matter of size. JIM D.

 

[Soulsaver]

Im interested in knowing how old it is, the model, and a suggested value. The link you sent me looks just like the one I have, but on the back it said 3445 and mine says 3871.

The 3445 linked one is a three reed treble; yours appears to be a two.
The numbers on the back are serial numbers and are usually not a lot of help on Italian accordions as no records seem to have survived as manufacturers merged and/or went bust in the consolidation that took place when the industry contracted after the golden age.

 

[alabamaaccordion]

From your Pics it looks like just scuff marks. You just might have a little jewel here. These were made between 1958 and the end of the 60s and for a student model accordion were well made. If it has been kept in good shape you will find it superior to a modern German made accordion of the same size and equipped reeds. Back in the day some Italian made student model accordions were constructed with aged wood ,100% beeswax and the same care as pro models. During these years and including today 95% of accordions ordered and shipped to the US are of 120 bass buttons no matter of size. JIM D.

I think thats all they are (scuff marks). I will try to clean it up a little bit and take some more pictures. Is there any suggestions on where I can get it appraised? I have played and tested everything on it. so far everything to my knowledge works and it sounds great. I can certainly feel and see the quality in which it was made. very unique and Im glad that I stumbled upon it.


The 3445 linked one is a three reed treble; yours appears to be a two.
The numbers on the back are serial numbers and are usually not a lot of help on Italian accordions as no records seem to have survived as manufacturers merged and/or went bust in the consolidation that took place when the industry contracted after the golden age.[/quote]

Its a shame that no records survived.
How can you tell if its a three reed or a two reed treble? From my untrained eye, they look identical.

 

[JIM D.]

The shifts on both these accordions although having different names on them show that they have both have two sets of reeds (1) L and (1) M - The shifts on these 2 accordions from left to right are really Bandoneon - Clarinet - Bassoon - Bandoneon . In the accordion add saying it's a 3/4 reed box is a miss-print and the 3/4 size they claim it to be is really a 2/4 reed 17" student model.

 

[Soulsaver]

I was going to say it says so in the text... but Jim clarifies his view on that... although the one pic of the switches does look like 3 dots on the masters...?

 

[JIM D.]

I see what you mean Ed, but its just a prism effect you see in the add photos from the clear plastic shifts. These little boxes dont have the room for three treble reed sets. If it had 3 sets LMM it would be a 5 shift minimum. or 3 sets LMH there would be 7 shifts (or as you gents say couplers). These boxes also showed up here in the middle 50s and 60s with the brand name Cellini and Rivoli. My first accordion in 1953 at 7 years old was a new Cellini - same color - same model. At that time it sold for $350.00 -- Grossly over priced, but this was at the time of the so called Golden Age Of Accordions and the popularity of accordions was so great they commanded and got higher prices. JIM D.

 

[martymc58]

Back in the 70s I went to Detroit and bought a new accordion directly from John Castiglione. The place is still open. I doubt if John is still around though. That instrument felt and sounded like an Italian made box.

 

[Jperrino]

Need help with finding a place that I can bring to so it can be checked out And if it’s worth anything. Theses Are the numbers on the back in case they don’t show on photo. L 436/137 Made in Italy.