Pigini Master 58B - Used, worth to buy?

[krtexman]

Hello everybody, I´ve read a lot here, this is my first post.

If you be so kind, to give me opinion on this offer I have:

Used Pigini Master 58B, B griff
AGE: 18 Years (1st owner done service after 6 years in factory, 2nd owner never serviced)
Left hand needs tune some tones. Right hand has non working tones B1, d4 (one direction works, second no).
Signs of use – small scratches, bellows firm but stratched, celluloid wiped in one corner (see photos)

Price 7.900 USD

Is it worth the money?

Its located near my home (Czech), today im going to visit the seller and listen to it. Than have one week business trip, and time to make decision.

For sure, I take it before buy to service man (or at least open io to see reeds and mechanics rust etc.).

Thank for any suggestion,

KTX@

 

[Henry D]

Once a very nice instrument.

Based only upon the externals I see it as overpriced- though on the local market it's probably hard to readily find comparable instruments.

For sure, I take it before buy to service man (or at least open io to see reeds and mechanics rust etc.).

Hold that thought! To overcome the "ridden hard, put away wet" externals- as a midwest US horseman would have it- I'd want the internals (valves, reed waxing, smooth operation of slides, et al to include the tuning) to be pretty darned good- as in close to immaculate.

The smacked corner has no effect at all on the sound- but it would aggravate me severely and the bellows appear to be in a position to benefit from retaping on the bottom at least.

Your instrument (potentially), your money, a relatively exclusive instrument, and your ears are the ones that count- but I'd like to think you could do better.

Best wishes, Henry

 

[Walker]

I agree with Henry from scenic Minnesota!

@krtexman, I like your taste in accordion brand & model but let's be honest... that accordion's had one tough paper round!

 

[Ventura]

even in eastern europe, someone says they have $8000
to spend wouldn't there be lots of accordions you could buy ?
even lots of dealers taking you to lunch and offering deals ?
or just order a new one in Italy then drive down and get it

i guess things are a lot better than the old days but still
that's a lot of money.. you hold the high cards !

 

[Dingo40]

Is it worth the money?

I'm thinking, why would anyone even think of spending US$8k on such battered wreck when you can get a brand new accordion (different make and model) for the same money?
And, who knows what lurks inside?
In any case, is Kman enough of a player to be able utilise all (the somewhat faded) frills?
Like cars, out of order accordions are money pits!
Caveat emptor!
Just for comparison, see here:

Delicia

 

[Dingo40]

your ears are the ones that count- but I'd like to think you could do better.

In a case like this, I imagine your eyes would count as much as your ears.

 

[debra]

As always, everything depends on the condition of the accordion. The picture of the back side shows significant wear of the bellows tape. That indicates the accordion was heavily used. The lower notes that do not play may be due to broken reeds, not just dust...
At this price the accordion should have been completely serviced and restored and tuned as needed, which at least includes new bellows tape on the back and the side (that rests on the player's leg). It likely requires more work, so you are looking at a repair bill of 1.000 or more...
In this condition the accordion should cost no more than 6.000 max. (Add 1.000 in repair to that and it still isn't a real bargain.)

 

[Vladimir M.]

Is it worth the money?

What is important, first and foremost, is the technical condition of the instrument on the inside. This not only concerns the assessment of the cleanliness of the reeds (free of corrosion, of course) and good fit reed-valves, but also the reliably functioning playing mechanics, especially the converter.

Pigini's converter mechanics are often considered better in art/accordionists circles compared to, for example, Victoria, but they are also more sensitive to damage and therefore more difficult to repair (=more expensive repair).

So: It is necessary for the serviceman to see it. It is necessary to find a good serviceman (not a self-proclaimed pseudo-expert).

Many such instruments can already be found at conservatories in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Unfortunately, their price tends to be high/excessive. Buyers pay for a good image of Pigini. And it's a bit of a crowd psychosis. If people around you use Pigini, praise Pigini, and prefer Pigini, then you naturally want to buy Pigini too. You're not going to switch to a piano-accordion and play the antediluvian Delicia Dineta, are you? So: if you want to “be in”, you have to pay for it...

Practicing and playing at a conservatory/academy is challenging, after several years of study (and a side jobs) those instruments often look like this. Conclusion: you can definitely negotiate a lower price in a personal meeting. Logical arguments: costs for: cleaning the instrument, tuning, repairing the reeds, cleaning the mechanics... I think the price could go down by a quarter. But remember you're not just buying an instrument; you're also buying an image. By the way, the russian Юпитер is also a great accordion in terms of sound…
Think, the decision is yours...

Best regards, Vladimír

 

[krtexman]

Ohoh, thanks everebyody for a piece of good advice.

As I visited the seller, she played it sometimes more than 8 hours daily, so its heavily used.

First feeling was, nice sound, but not wow effect. Lot of notes sounds different, like from other instrument. But I can imagine, I should love it.

The price is in her opinion very low, because of the non working parts. Situation here in Europe is bad, I know its overpriced. In poland you can find one or two years old models, selling for the price of new one. The reasons are:

1. Excess demand. No new instrument are coming to market, so old are "recycling" and the price is growing.
2. Time of delivery. For new instrument, you will wait year or two. I have for example offer from factory Victoria:

Modell: Intermezzo I XB310V
Specification: 41/96 - 42 Converter Cassotto
Public Price : 14.480 Euro
Final Price with Discount 25%: 10.860 Euro ( Price included 22% VAT )
Estimated Delivery Time: 10 month

I have last year of study, until now i played PA and want to switch to CBA (and also meet the converter). Bought some old CBA UA Atlant, but it need restoration to be usable (for fingering fixing is still OK). I can not wait a year for instrument, so am looking also for old ones..

Made some more pics. Compared to Delicia or Atlant, I have seen inside, its different level..

So result is: good instrument, but not for the money, if you want true value, not only the "trademark"