New member from Hungary

[debra]

Never forget that brand isn't everything: it is the exact model (or even instrument) that matters. You can hardly compare a Fiat Punto to a Ferrari 458 yet for a number of years it was the same company that made them (Ferrari is now no longer owned by Fiat). Likewise you cannot just compare a Weltmeister to a Bugari. A Weltmeister Supita is definitely superior to a Bugari Juniorfisa. You have to look at comparable models. It sure sounds like the particular Royal Standard instrument discussed in this thread is a fine instrument. The problem is just in the buying process. As for whether it is a Bayan or a B system accordion, the confusion has mostly been caused by the companies making them. B system accordions with individual reed plates have been marketed as bayans in the sovyet block and are still being marketed as bayans by Italian companies. When you go inside any of the Bugari or Pigini "bayan" models, they all have individual accordion reed plates with trapezoidal reeds. My AKKO C system bayan on the other hand is very much a bayan (with multi-reed plates) despite not being B system.

 

[attila57]

The Royal Standard sounds like the ideal instrument for you, and I hope that you are able to acquire it very soon.

I understand that you are fond of Spanish & South American music. A very good friend of mine plays Classical Spanish Guitar at our Folk Club. Peter is a truly excellent guitarist, and we look forward to hearing his virtuoso performances every week.

Hello Stephen,

Thanks for your reply!
It must be great to have a Folk Club like yours...Music life is good here, in Budapest, but mainly professional, I mean big halls, large audiences, expensive tickets, and so on. In the classical guitar scene we have some friendly recitals for the inner circle of guitar lovers, which is quite like a club, but in general, I miss amateur events (in the positive sense of the word).

We have some accordion festivals though, all over the country. The Serbian community is strong here, and their accordionists are very good indeed. They seem to socialize more, also because of their common nationality.

About the Royal Standard: Yes, I quite like it, it would (will) be a nice instrument for my life! However, Ive just seen a very beautiful ancient Guerrini PA in a magazine, all wood and beautiful mother-of-pearl keys, and now I understand why Italian accordions are considered the best.
The Bugari you mentioned must be great, too! I dont even dare to think about it, they are far beyond the means of a beginner.

Im planning a visit in the music shop tomorrow, RBCto play a little on the machine of my dream. Unfortunately, these days I had to cut down on music: I had to look after my father (92 years), who has had an operation and is in hospital. Hopefully he can go home tomorrow.

Best regards,

Attila

 

[attila57]

My AKKO C system bayan on the other hand is very much a bayan (with multi-reed plates) despite not being B system.

Hello Debra,

Thanks for your contribution to this thread!
What do you think of that AKKO of yours? Ive seen one on sale second hand, and I didnt know what to think about it...

Attila

 

[debra]

...
Thanks for your contribution to this thread!
What do you think of that AKKO of yours? Ive seen one on sale second hand, and I didnt know what to think about it...

[/quote]
Well... I am thrilled about my AKKO. For my use this instrument is absolutely wonderful. It has a nice powerful sound, with excellent cassotto sound in L and M (more so in L than M) and brilliant sound when using MH... You can go very high in L and very low in H because of the 64 notes.
Unlike bayans from the Soviet era the AKKO is of excellent quality. It is definitely the best instrument I ever played.
The multi-reed reed-plates make tuning easier but reed replacement difficult (I hope I wont need to do that for years to come). I believe a comparable Italian instrument would cost about twice as what I paid for the AKKO.

You may have to be careful about a second hand AKKO: their quality has improved over the years. They started in 1989 and had a learning curve... If the second hand one is less than 10 years old it should be of good quality. An AKKO from the first few production years may have problems they later learned to avoid.

 

[attila57]

Unlike bayans from the Soviet era the AKKO is of excellent quality. It is definitely the best instrument I ever played.

You may have to be careful about a second hand AKKO: their quality has improved over the years.

Thanks, Paul,

Its good to know these things. Ill have a closer look if they havent sold the instrument yet...

Attila

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Attila,

In my region of the UK there are hundreds of Folk Clubs, the majority of which are truly amateur. Within a 20 - 30 minute drive from our home, there must be between 10 or 12 Folk Clubs. They all have roughly the same format, with everyone taking their turn to entertain the assembled company.

I enjoy the diversity of Folk Clubs, as you never quite know what instruments may put in an appearance. One of our members plays (amongst other things) a dulcimer, another a tin whistle. We have more than our fair share of eccentrics, but they are all lovely people.

Though this may not go down too well on this site, I would be bored silly if there were nothing but accordions to entertain us. Don't get me wrong, I love the accordion, but I certainly appreciate the contrasts other instruments have to offer. I mentioned Peter in an earlier post. He is the man who plays Classical Spanish Guitar so wonderfully well. When he plays, I close my eyes and absorb the virtuosity of his music.

In the final analysis it is the player, not the instrument, which matters. Someone who puts something of himself into his music is ultimately preferable to those who strictly follow convention. In that respect, a cheap Chinese instrument can be just as enjoyable as a top of the range Italian instrument.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Hello Jerry,

The Weltmeister factory is on the Czech/German border, which may go some way toward explaining their popularity in the Czech Republic. Well, that and the fact that East Germany & the now defunct Czechoslovakia were bound together under the oppressive yolk of communism for more than forty years.

The Czechs have produced some wonderful engineers over the years, and are well capable of designing and manufacturing excellent machinery. The same can be said for their German neighbours (East or West), and I cringe when I read posts which are dismissive of their achievements.

I happen to like Weltmeisters, and believe them to be well made and affordable. The Supita, in particular, is a very well constructed instrument, which I have no doubt can hold its own with similarly priced instruments.

Your reference to friends who own and are satisfied with Weltmeisters is telling, especially when compared to the posts of those who base their comments on less convincing evidence.

As previously stated, I would most certainly consider buying a Weltmeister at some point in the future. My Galotta was built by Weltmeister, and it is a superbly made instrument.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Dear Attila,

I must apologise profusely for forgetting to mention your Father. Please convey to him my sincere best wishes for a speedy recovery, and tell him that an Englishman is thinking about him.

As I am almost 70, I have obviously lost most of my parent's generation. The two exceptions to this are an Auntie & Uncle who are 90 & 95 respectively. They seem to be in reasonably good health for their age, and my Uncle still walks to the local shops every day.

I fully understand the stress and upset of looking after elderly relatives, and must advise you to look after your own health and welfare at this difficult time.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[attila57]

Please convey to him my sincere best wishes for a speedy recovery, and tell him that an Englishman is thinking about him.

...Auntie & Uncle who are 90 & 95 respective...

Hello Stephen,

Thank you for the kind words! Dads operation has been successful, hes back home now. We are greatly relieved, because he refused to eat in the hospital, and he was in a really bad shape.

Congratulations, and please forward my best wishes to your Auntie & Uncle, they are in the same league as my parents!

About the Folk Club: Yes, thats what I miss, exactly. We havent got anything like that here. Just over-polished concert hall performances, which actually sets the people apart from music and from each other.

I went to see the Royal Standard yesterday, and decided to agree to the conditions of sale, whatever they are. Its a magnificent machine indeed...

Best regards,

Attila

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Hello Attila,

I am pleased to hear that your Father is improving, and that he has returned to his family.

Any separation between musicians and audiences seems fundamentally wrong, especially for folk musicians. We do have a few visitors to the club who take no active part in proceedings, but they sit alongside everyone else and (perhaps) sing choruses or stamp their feet in time to the music.

My Brenda reads or recites poetry, or reads excerpts from classical literature. Others do the same, which gives more depth and colour to our evenings. One of our members writes some very humorous poetry, which is just as well as his singing is awful. (but at least he tries)

To all intents and purposes, the Royal Standard is now yours. I think you have made a very good choice, and am extremely happy for you.

Take good care.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[cat]

Greetings and congratulations on your instrument!

I'm a life-long cl/fl guitarist myself (also study oud), though I've given up gtr as my chronic soft-tissue issues are too problematic for me. I took up (wire) harp when I quit gtr. And of course accordian . I started with buttons, and therefore desired CBA, but because quality PAs are everywhere I picked up one of those first. I love playing Brazilian, zydeco, blues, and Satie. . so PA works for me.

 

[attila57]

To all intents and purposes, the Royal Standard is now yours.

Hello Stephen,

Sure, Its only a question of some time now. We have agreed in all details, and the machine is kept for me until I pay up. A bit more expensive than I expected, but still acceptable. See PM!

Best regards,

Attila

 

[attila57]

Greetings and congratulations on your instrument!

Im a life-long cl/fl guitarist myself (also study oud), though Ive given up gtr as my chronic soft-tissue issues are too problematic for me. I took up (wire) harp when I quit gtr. And of course accordian . I started with buttons, and therefore desired CBA, but because quality PAs are everywhere I picked up one of those first. I love playing Brazilian, zydeco, blues, and Satie. . so PA works for me.

Hello Cat,

Thanks for your reply!
Your background looks quite similar to mine indeed! Im sorry that you had to stop guitar. It must have been a real disappointment. Im also interested in harps, particularly the cross-strung harp. I havent got one though, maybe in the future. PA is something Id like, too, just this CBA is a special deal, so I decided to buy this first. Yes, its an advantage that PA is everywhere, and I hope that after learning Stradella bass, it wont pose a problem to switch to PA when I come across one. (I will, Im sure.)

Satie is one of my favorites, too! His Gnossiennes and Gymnopedes have become part of the guitar repertoire.

Oh, yes, the glissando... Thats another advantage of PA. Thats something Ill miss. Now, thats another good reason to pick up PA.

All the best,

Attila

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Attila,

Great news about the Royal Standard.

PM seen and answered.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.