New to The forum and don`t play a thing.

[Markordion]

Hi, I`ve joined the forum to get good avice and know how etc for a family member who has an Accordion and plays.

They have just been givien a new Startone !!!.

Yes I can maybe already hear the groans etc.

But it was a very kind gift and to be honest for now it looks to be Ok, we hope.

It does look very nice, my China concerns asside when I saw it.

They do have an old Hohner Arietta that needs work on the Keys, Bass buttons and Bellows.

Its about 70 years old, ish ?

We are wondering wether its worth getting a total overhaul, or just buying a new cheaper end EU made one when when funds allow ?

So I`ll also open a thread on those issues I think and where to find a fixer in the NE of the UK and so on.

So hello, I can`t play, and I probably never will be able to, but it all looks and " sounds " !!! very interesting.

Thanks Mark.

 

[Tom]

Welcome Mark!

I'm sorry I have no good advice on a good accordion repair person in the UK but I trust you will recieve advice from someone here.

The good news is that once the Arietta is restored, it will free up the Startone for you to learn to play.

Yes, we are all accordion snobs here who look down our noses at Chinese accordions, but the truth is that any Chinese accordion is better than no accordion at all.

Good luck! Tom

 

[JerryPH]

Welcome!

My opinion... China, Italy, USA, Timbucktoo, the origin of a FIRST accordion doesn't matter much for someone new, all it has to do is inspire and motivate and give hours of pleasure. Of course that changes as one grows and gets better.

In terms of repairing an older box or getting another one, that is such a hard question to answer, unless you use the words "it depends". Does that accordion have any sentimental value? Is it an accordion with a known high value? How much would it cost to repair?

On that last one, now a days, the answer to that one is mostly "more than it is worth", that is where the other 2 questions come in.

 

[Glug]

Welcome.

I've just had a look on the Hohner models list (https://www.accordionists.info/threads/hohner-accordion-list.173/)
and the Arietta is a 34 piano key / 72 bass model made from 1953 to 1957 with 2 or 3 treble reed sets.

I'm going to guess that the Startone might currently be a better (more versatile) accordion but it depends on the precise model of each.
I would suggest waiting until the Startone is too limiting (or breaks), or gets boring before spending more money.

NB. Nothing wrong with an older accordion as such - my main instrument is a 1959 Hohner I fixed up.

 

[Markordion]

Hi and hello eveyone, thank you for the advice and thoughts, especially on the age of our Arietta. I had a feeling it was 50`s going by the original owner.

I was actually given the Arietta in about 86 by that persons son, he also played a little, He knew I was after one for my Grandfather ( born 1927 sadly no longer with us for 5 years ) who used to play.

My Grandfather was just self taught and had no other musical imput and also played a Hohner mouth organ ( harmonica ?).

He enoyed using the Arrietta for those years.

It then went to my son a few years ago ( hes now 18 ) and he has taught himself via Youtube etc and just seems to have it anyway ( I don`t !!! ) and can just listen to a piece of music and work it out. How he does it I don`t know.

The Hohner suddenly seemed to hit a point where the bass buttons and the keys were giving out, plus more escape.

I would agree the Startone is probably more versatile. While it all works, its a step forward for now.

He does like the 72 size.

Its just a great and very kind stop gap.

Helped us too as the usual January hard ups here.

Thanks Mark