Iorio "como"?

[kim]

Hi - I'm Kim, and I'm new to accordions and to the forum. I've wanted to learn to play accordion for ages, and over the weekend I found one for sale relatively cheaply ($325) at a flea market. It plays well, seems to be in reasonably good shape and came in a case I presume it's been stored in all its life, based on the wear inside the case and the clean condition the instrument is in. (Though it does smell like dust.) If its the same vintage as the instructional books that were also in the case, it's from the 1940s, but that's just a guess. There is no manual.

Not knowing much about accordions, I jumped on the internet to find out more about it, and I'm not finding much at all. Just some basic information about the company. Seems like they made a variety of accordions at a bunch of price points, and they were known to be reliable and sturdy.

I assume it's an Iorio based on the below listing for a very similar one, though the name Iorio does not appear on the instrument.

https://www.libertybellows.com/shop...o-Como-Two-Star-Piano-Accordion-LM-41-120.htm

Right next to the "made in Italy" and number plate pictured below, I can just make out a number stamped into the marbled red (plastic? bakelite?) - it's either 4550 or 4556.

Does anyone know anything about this instrument? How old it is, what kind of quality it is - really anything? It's a beautiful instrument, and I'm excited to own it, but I'm also very curious.

My amateur opinion is that it needs some of the leather pads on the pallets replaced (it buzzes on certain keys) but I don't know what I don't know. Any advice?

Thanks in advance!

 

[kim]

I got some info at Reddit - I'm adding it here in case someone else comes along wondering about a similar accordion someday.

It's not electronic. It's roughly 60 years old. It’s a student model with middle and high reeds on the treble side. I believe it’s a ladies model with slightly smaller piano keys. Should be nice and light to learn on! (Thanks, bGriffG)

 

[Ben-jammin]

That should be low and middle reeds, notice a register labeled as bassoon. The buzzing is more likely caused by the leather valves on the reeds needing replaced. I would guess 1950s vintage by the register design and aesthetics. It’s at a vintage that the reed wax should be checked out as it ages it dries out and becomes brittle.

 

[Dingo40]

Does anyone know anything about this instrument? How old it is, what kind of quality it is - really anything? It's a beautiful instrument, and I'm excited to own it, but I'm also very curious.

Welcome Kim!
You have shown a lot of initiative and found out a lot already: good for you!
The outer coating of your accordion ( a "ladies'" or "youths'" size) is celluloid and it could date from the late 1950s or early 1960s ().
It's a basic no frills instrument but even basic instruments like this one were well made and durable at the time !
The "dusty" smell will respond to airing in a warm dry space and gentle brushing with a soft brush (like a 2 inch wide house-painting brush).
Avoid liquids and sprays: the bellows are made of cardboard and cloth which, though fit for purpose and amazingly durable in general use, don't like liquids or moisture.
What music books came with it?
There's a lot of information about accordion playing on YouTube.
Also, you can ask here!
It looks great and may you enjoy your new hobby.

 

[Ventura]

the Iorio company was importing accordions from Italy since before WW2,
an re-sold them to the public. After the war they grew into being a "jobber"
and provided accordions (like yours) to many teaching studios to sell to their
students.. some studios preferred their own name on them, so they would recieve
them unbranded..

COMO is a beautiful place in Italy with a famous Lake and famous people
and unique quisine and vineyards.. it is common for models of accordions
from many factories to carry some token name like this for sentimental reasons

Iorio became most famous during the 1970's for their professional quality
organ-accordions.. the company no longer exists

as Dingo mentioned, accordions like yours were nicely built back then,
and i can add these Iorio student models were a slight cut above many other brand

depending on which side of DC, you might like to bring it up to a Maryland Accordion Club
meeting sometime in Catonsville just west of Baltimore, first saturday of the month
(they break during the summer)

enjoy

 

[kim]

Thanks, everyone - seems like I lucked into a nice beginner model.

It came with these two books, published in 1945 and 1953. It looks like little Leonard Jaskewicz finished this instructional and took the test at the end. I think it's a good book for me to start with.

While I live in DC most of the time (NE DC, so not a crazy drive to Cantonsville - thanks for the invitation), my husband and I spend a little less than half our time at our place in Vermont, where there are a couple of nearby-ish accordion fixit places that I found in the super helpful spreadsheet at Reddit.

Thanks again for your help with this, and for making me feel so welcome. I'll for sure take you up on your invitation to ask questions as I learn!

 

[Tom]

Thanks, everyone - seems like I lucked into a nice beginner model.

It came with these two books, published in 1945 and 1953. It looks like little Leonard Jaskewicz finished this instructional and took the test at the end. I think it's a good book for me to start with.

While I live in DC most of the time (NE DC, so not a crazy drive to Cantonsville - thanks for the invitation), my husband and I spend a little less than half our time at our place in Vermont, where there are a couple of nearby-ish accordion fixit places that I found in the super helpful spreadsheet at Reddit.

Thanks again for your help with this, and for making me feel so welcome. I'll for sure take you up on your invitation to ask questions as I learn!

I started with the Sedlon. It’s outdated and quaint, but will get you started fine. Good luck!!!!