Newbie from Surbiton

[Bella]

Old enough to remember the Bell Accordion shop in Surbiton, but have only just taken it up. I was bought a 72 bass Bell Piano Accordion some years ago (actually it's a Galotta badged as Bell) - unfortunately it co-incided with a shoulder op, and so it barely came out the case. A couple of months ago, our local charity shop had a 48 bass accordion in the window, and I just couldn't resist. That is also badged as Bell, but has another badge on it as well. So now I have two, and thought it was about time I learned to play.

I can't afford lessons, but having played piano and done theory to approx. grade 7, it holds no terrors. So, just for now at least, I'm using the Mel Bay Teach Yourself Accordion book, plus watching things on You Tube for pointers on technique. I've not had a chance to look around the site yet - I have lots of questions, but may find the answers with a bit of research, so won't bore you with them here.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you all, and finding out more about the instrument and playing.

 

[Glenn]

Welcome Bella from Surbiton.
I'm often visiting Kingston which is just down the road.
I didn't know there was once an accordion shop in the neighbourhood.

 

[Bella]

Yes indeed - it was well known, and I understand Bell owned another music shop on the opposite side of the road, which sold other instruments. It was where Eric Clapton's first guitar came from! Mr Google can supply a fair bit of information on the shop. The site is corner plot with curved windows, and is currently used as a French restaurant.

 

[Tom]

Ciao Bella,

Welcome to the forum, hope you enjoy playing and your stay on this forum! tom

 

[Soulsaver]

Hi Bella and welcome. I see a fair few 1950s accordions with the Bell Surbiton badge on the back. It must have done lots of business back then. Indeed amongst the remnants of a larger collection I still have a 'Bell - Surbiton' badged 1955 Hohner Pearl White Carmen 111M - lovely little 120 bass instrument with a most glorious tremelo/musette tone. I believe there no connection between the Bell Surbiton dealer and Bell accordions... although I'm well aware that many ebayers would have you believe otherwise.
Good luck with your purchase & hope you're not too surprised at the challenge of integrating your piano skills with the squeezy basses.

 

[Bella]

I believe there no connection between the Bell Surbiton dealer and Bell accordions... although Im well aware that many ebayers would have you believe otherwise.
Good luck with your purchase & hope youre not too surprised at the challenge of integrating your piano skills with the squeezy basses.

I understood, from my internet research, that the company was started by Arthur Bell, but was bought out by Hohner. What I have read suggests that the Surbiton shop undertook repairs, as well as selling, with the northern branch (Darlington) doing complete refurbs. I believe they bought in instruments and badged them with the Bell badge, but Im not sure if they ever actually made their own instruments. I know there is an American Bell Accordions which is not the same thing.

Im finding the slightly smaller keyboard challenging, and working out when best to change bellows direction, depending on the phrasing of the music. I think I may have to bite the bullet and have at least a few lessons, just to make sure Im pointing in the right direction. Im still on the baby stuff right now, but I can make some nice noises with it.

 

[goldtopia]

Yes, I remember Bell Accordions in Surbiton. I did not know they were still going. In the 60s I use to gaze in their shop window wishing I could have one.

 

[dunlustin]

I lived too far away to gaze in their window but spent hours drooling over their catalogue in the late 60s.
Nice to know their instruments are still keeping people happy/challenged.
I'm sure you'll be one of them.
You could try a local club if looking for teacher recommendations.

 

[Soulsaver]

Yes It's the American/Italian Bell that has no connection. I was aware Bell (of Surbiton) rebadged Galottas (possibly amongst others ) but I have subsequently seen reports that they also made their own - which I find hard to believe in my definition of 'made'.

 

[Bella]

Yes, I remember Bell Accordions in Surbiton. I did not know they were still going. In the 60s I use to gaze in their shop window wishing I could have one.

No, theyre not still going. I think they closed sometime in the 1980s.