Lyric accordion pricing help

[keyblade_crafter]

A friend of mine came to me asking for help pricing a Lyric brand accordion with the stamp #0170 on it. After some research, it seems that the lyric brand is made in germany. I have only seen pictures so far, but Im going to meet him tomorrow to test it out. It looks like it might have a register switch on the piano side (not the button kind, the long metal piece that you pull up and down by a tab).

Here are the pics he sent me:
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Anything you happen to know about the Lyric brand or finding out more info on the stamp number would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Soulsaver]

It's c1930 manufacture. 'Vintage' adds nothing to the value of accordions. Unlike, for example, acoustic violins which have remained constant, accordions have changed for the better in terms of design, materials, skill in manufacture - so early ones aren't sought, and have to have a lot of work done to them to make them playable.
So vintage & good makes, in good condition aren't worth that much... this is not one of the good makes, and it isn't in good condition - raised and broken keys, missing back cover, (fungal?0 stains to the bellows, worn out straps..
Apologies, if I'm brutally honest, IMO this is worth nothing as an instrument; but you may find someone who wants it as an ornament. Or a amateur techie who wants it for salvage/practice/bellows table.. c.£30 if you can find a buyer locally.

 

[keyblade_crafter]

Thank you! I didn't even notice the broken and raised keys. I did see the missing cover since I have my own grandfathers that looks to have been made around the same time. Maybe I can just buy it off of him and get it repaired just for the heck of it.

 

[Soulsaver]

I admire your spirit. But better to get a good 1950s Hohner needing little to no work for only a little more, you could be playing in days if not immediately.
You'll be on that one in the picture for ever.. based on what can be seen in the pics.
In my experience even with 20 years later stuff, if they look like that on the outside, the inside is brittle wax, curled valves, rusty reed tongues, missing reeds, leaking bellows, wood worm.. musty smells and the odd mushroom ... perm any 3 from 4.
Now at least you know what to check for...
Good luck, nice to keep us posted out of interest.

 

[keyblade_crafter]

Oh it would just be for fun haha. I've got my own galanti with 3 registers on the keyboard and 2 on the bass that suits me fine. I just wanna take take it on as a project.

 

[Soulsaver]

Oh it would just be for fun haha. Ive got my own galanti with 3 registers on the keyboard and 2 on the bass that suits me fine. I just wanna take take it on as a project.

Ah! Still appreciate a couple of nightmare-or-otherwise pics of the innerds if you have time. Best wishes.

 

[keyblade_crafter]

I don't know if he'll let me take it home to inspect it, he was just going to stop by my work and have me look at it since he lives close by. I'll bring some tools and a camera just in case. :tup:

 

[keyblade_crafter]

I went to my friends house and took a good look at it. One of the straps was broken, which I expected so I brought my own. The bellows are actually in pretty good condition, but its a little looser than Im used to. I think they were either replaced at some point or just kept in good condition.

The keys and reeds are a mess, though. One of the black keys was sticking and the the wooden piece was loose due to a missing strap.

Inside, reeds were loose with some held in place with tape. The leather strips were worn and most of them will need to be cleaned/replaced. The bass reeds were in decent condition and only a couple were out of tune pulling the bellows out.

He wouldve been lucky to get around $100 Id say, but he surprised me by just giving it to me! He saw me play in our school talent show and when he found it in the attic, he figured I would take care of it.

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[keyblade_crafter]

Oops, I guess the pictures didn't load right. Fixed it, just right click on the picture and open in a new tab to see a larger version