Scandalli accordion - anyone information about type and value?

[Els]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for help identifying the type and possible value of an accordion that belonged to my mother. She bought it in the 1960s, but it hasn't been played for many years. It was always stored on the attic (dry place).

Unfortunately, I don’t know much about accordions myself, so any help would be appreciated.
I’m attaching some photos of the instrument.

I'd really appreciate it if someone could help me figure out what kind of accordion it is (model, number of basses, etc), and give me a rough estimate of its value.

Thanks in advance!

Best regards,

 

[Ventura]

this is a mid-level 37 note student accordion of good quality
referred to as LMM 3/4 for reed configuration

it is still a desirable size and type, in good playable
condition between 500 - 999 US

however, attic's are notoriously bad on accordions, as
there are many components that suffer greatly from
excessive prolonged intense heat.. it even appears
heat-cracks have begun to show in the key plastic (B)

in general, the cost to replace the gaskets, the cracked
reed-wax, the leather reedvalves (6 x 37 plus 12 x 8)
in a repair shop would be more than the instrument is worth

it is still a reasonable risk for a do-it-yourselfer to take
a chance on it, but not for anywhere near the price of
one in good condition

the only way to estimate the depth of repairs needed
is to open it up and allow it to be inspected by a
knowledgeable set of eyes.. at the worst, if all the
reed-leathers are obviously curled and dry, and the wax is
obviously cracked, it's a couple hundred $$ shot in the dark

 

[JerryPH]

Most people seem to think that storing accordions preserves them... the exact opposite is true, the more you use them, the longer they last. They tend to just sit and rot if unused.

At the $999 level, this accordion would have to be in "like new" condition, which this one is not, so ballpark would be between $250 to $500 at most. Cost to repair is the big deterrent. It is very easy to rack up costs to replace reed valves, tune and adjust, replace needed parts to a value well above it's market value if done by a competent professional.

 

[Dingo40]

what kind of accordion it is (model, number of basses, etc)

The number of basses is easy: just count the number of little buttons on the left hand side.
Although they are not visible in the photo, I would guess that there are 80.

 

[Els]

The number of basses is easy: just count the number of little buttons on the left hand side.
Although they are not visible in the photo, I would guess that there are 80.

Thanks for the helpful advice – I really appreciate it.

 

[Els]

Most people seem to think that storing accordions preserves them... the exact opposite is true, the more you use them, the longer they last. They tend to just sit and rot if unused.

At the $999 level, this accordion would have to be in "like new" condition, which this one is not, so ballpark would be between $250 to $500 at most. Cost to repair is the big deterrent. It is very easy to rack up costs to replace reed valves, tune and adjust, replace needed parts to a value well above it's market value if done by a competent professional.

It’s not that we consider the attic the best place to store an accordion, but sometimes reality leaves us with little choice. My mother became ill and hoped to recover, so she wanted to keep the accordion for when she got better. We had to put it somewhere, as we made space downstairs for a hospital bed and were left with very little room. Sadly, she never got better... and the accordion remained there, unplayed. That's what happend.

It would be nice if people were a bit more sensitive with their assumptions and judgments – they help no one in the end.

 

[ColoRodney]

It’s not that we consider the attic the best place to store an accordion, but sometimes reality leaves us with little choice. My mother became ill and hoped to recover, so she wanted to keep the accordion for when she got better. We had to put it somewhere, as we made space downstairs for a hospital bed and were left with very little room. Sadly, she never got better... and the accordion remained there, unplayed. That's what happend.

It would be nice if people were a bit more sensitive with their assumptions and judgments – they help no one in the end.

I don't think anyone was insulting you. Just bringing in some reality. In your original post you said that it hasn't been played in years and was always stored in the attic. That prompted the warning that such a life history was not auspicious for the current value of the isntrument. No one was accusing you of willfully mistreating it. That is just the truth, though probably not what you wanted to hear.

The only way to figure out the answer you seek is to take it to a qualified professional, or at least someone who understands and plays accordions. No one here can tell you the actual condition, though we can make educated guesses from the words you wrote.

 

[Waldo]

Attn. Nobby
Why didn't the photos posted by Els appear in my thread? This isn't the first time this has happened. It seems the other responders saw them. Do I have a setting wrong?

 

[Dingo40]

Why didn't the photos posted by Els appear in my thread?

Could be because they were removed by the OP before you opened the thread.
I notice they've gone from my screen too, since I've viewed them .