Pigini Super Bayan Sirius C-system

[Skari]

Pigini Super Bayan Sirius
C-system
$8,000

Treble: 64 notes; 4 voices; 15 registers; 7 chin switches; dry tuned; A444 (a bit on the high side)
Bass: 120 buttons; 2 registers
Free bass: 58 notes; 2 registers; 8+8

Built in 1983, first model year of production; SN 49 (Mogens Ellegaard had #001). This was Pigini's first venture into bayan-type accordions. The previous owner said the reeds were Magnatera, but I can't be sure.

This is a fine instrument, with a majestic sound, in really great condition.

I bought it in 2021 and had it renovated by Chad Walker of Walker Accordions in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Chad gave the entire instrument a thorough cleaning. He removed, cleaned, and relaxed all the reeds; replaced the reed valves; and tuned as needed. He did not re-face the pallets because the cost was getting pretty high and the compression is still quite good.

Due to my age and changes in life/health circumstances, I need to downsize my accordion collection. I am hoping to find a new player for this one.

If you are interested in a rare, rather historic accordion and can handle the size, weight, A444 tuning , this might be the accordion for you.

I put together a very DIY video to demonstrate the sound. It is pretty evident that this is “too much accordion” for me. It needs a player who can actually take advantage of what this instrument has to offer.

The current market price for this type of unique instrument is difficult to assess until it actually sells. From the documentation below you can see I have about $10,000 invested. I am asking $8,000 in hopes of recovering most of my investment, but past experience indicates that the ROI on used accordions is not very good. I am a motivated seller and would be open to some negotiation.

Let me know if you have any questions or would like to schedule a video call.
Richard Skarie
RLSKARIE@gmail.com
Minneapolis, MN USA

 

[Dingo40]

Lovely! 🙂👍

 

[debra]

A fine instrument. A friend of mine has one (tuned A442, so only two Hz too high and not four...). The old Pigini wax started failing a few years ago (reed plates falling off) but with new wax it is good as new. That accordion is about the same age...
With a tuning of A444 it may be a hard sell, except when you find a buyer who is just playing solo all the time.

 

[Skari]

PRICE HAS BEEN SLASHED!

The response to my listing has been less than enthusiastic, so the vintage accordion market seems to be telling me that my asking price was a bit high. Hopefully, the reduced price of $6,000 will attract more interest.

 

[Walker]

I don't think it's got a lot to do with the vintage accordion market. You may find that in the current economic climate there is a lack of people spending on luxury items like premium accordions. People are more interested in covering their rent and utility bills etc.

The Sirius is an all time great accordion. At $6000 it is underpriced in my opinion and represents a terrific instrument and investment for someone to buy now, enjoy for a few years and even sell for a profit in time once confidence returns and the economic climate is a bit rosier.

If it were me with a Sirius sat in my livingroom I'd hold onto it. Accordions simply don't get much better than a Pigini Sirius. Possibly the benchmark instrument for Italian converter accordions.

 

[Bloviator]

Would 444 Hz tuning really prevent you from playing with others? Say a piano at 440 hz?
From liberty bellows website it looks like that would be similar to a 15 cent tremolo which does not seem unreasonable.

I am early in the accordion journey and do not yet play pieces with others but would like to and am keeping that in mind as I look for a new accordion.

 

[debra]

Would 444 Hz tuning really prevent you from playing with others? Say a piano at 440 hz?
From liberty bellows website it looks like that would be similar to a 15 cent tremolo which does not seem unreasonable.

I am early in the accordion journey and do not yet play pieces with others but would like to and am keeping that in mind as I look for a new accordion.

In one of the orchestras I play in there are a few 442-tuned accordions, the rest being 440. The 442 accordions stand out like a sore thumb. Our conductor tries to hide the problem as much as possible in special arrangements. 444 would stand out so much that anyone arriving with a 444 accordion would simply be refused.
Of course if all you want to play is music with a strong tremolo, like Amsterdam or Scottish tuning... then 444 is not a big problem. It will just give the audience a headache but that's after they have really enjoyed it.

 

[JerryPH]

I noticed that 2 of the bass buttons on the picture left have collapsed... may I ask what happened?

 

[Walker]

By jings @Skari if I played the button accordion, I'd have that off you before the day was oot...

You know on Pigini's website they said production of the Sirius commenced in 1981 and to date more that 1500 have been built. And you have No49!

I would take that accordion down to Claudio Beltrami in Stradella and ask him to retune it to A442, classic Pigini tuning with a wee bit more tremolo added to the violin. Oh, it would be worth the cost...

 

[JerryPH]

By jings @Skari if I played the button accordion, I'd have that off you before the day was oot...

You know on Pigini's website they said production of the Sirius commenced in 1981 and to date more that 1500 have been built. And you have No49!

I would take that accordion down to Claudio Beltrami in Stradella and ask him to retune it to A442, classic Pigini tuning with a wee bit more tremolo added to the violin. Oh, it would be worth the cost...

I agree with that wholeheartedly!

 

[petch]

I noticed that 2 of the bass buttons on the picture left have collapsed... may I ask what happened?

This is normal for a lot of converter systems - the highest note is C# on the 2nd row, so the 3rd and 4th row buttons for that final column aren't attached to a reed when in free bass mode and stay depressed

 

[Ventura]

well, if you want a bit more tremolo AND want it tuned to fit
with norms, perhaps it would be kinder to the reeds and
take a lot less time to do to just switch out the primary
L and M sets for new ones tuned to 440 or 442.. perhaps
Pigini would even provide them at a reasonable price to
get one of it's early builds from this series back into public life
(good for word of mouth advertising)

 

[JerryPH]

This is normal for a lot of converter systems - the highest note is C# on the 2nd row, so the 3rd and 4th row buttons for that final column aren't attached to a reed when in free bass mode and stay depressed

Cool, I just learned something new, thanks.

Yeah, an instrument like this would definitely deserve a 2nd chance at life, maybe getting it back to 440hz tuning would open a door to more people that would want to buy it or it getting it back in to use.

 

[debra]

This is normal for a lot of converter systems - the highest note is C# on the 2nd row, so the 3rd and 4th row buttons for that final column aren't attached to a reed when in free bass mode and stay depressed

And the same happens with the first button on the opposite side: the lowest (melody) bass is an E so the button next to it that could have been Eb isn't attached to anything and can also collapse.... unless a clever manufacturer (AKKO) figured that this button might as well be used as the air release button, in which case it is always functional (just not for a note).

 

[Skari]

Thanks to everyone for your helpful comments. I will take the Sirius off the market for now and re-evaluate. Restoring a classic accordion seems to be similar to restoring a classic car. Financial considerations often have to take a back seat to the "coolness" factor. My teacher and my technician are both well connected at Pigini. I will consult with them and see what develops. I will keep you posted.