i found that brochure helpful, as it places the gold aluminum grille
model/style firmly in the 1950's PRIOR to the cream colored blue aluminum
series of the 1960's, as well as the Silvana series existence prior to
the v-cosmetic Silvana/imperio style most commonly seen through the
60's until the end of Farfisa (at least)
it also suggests the occasional model that pops up either under Scandalli
or other labels as sub-contracted through Settimo Soprani that have the
individual key system treble, yet have a traditional (non-removable) Stradella
bass mechanism, were early 1950's or late 1940's, though they may look
similar to 60's models (cowl type grill shape) the logic being the drop out
Bass is specifically noted and this brocure is dated 1956
then i am further inferring that the switch to the fully modern series
cosmetically co-incided with the new Farfisa plant being fully fleshed
out and the production of all standard model accordions shifted to the
new location (while the Super VI and other models that continued
traditional treble and bass mech continued to be built in the old
primary factory (Camerano)
and i further infer that the individual treble key system was therefore designed
and originally implemented in the old factory production line, prior to Farfisa,
while the drop-bass mech was implemented in the new production line
of the Farfisa plant.
as far as i know, a traditional Stradella mech was never a part of
the production lines in the Farfisa plant, so once the bulk of the
accordions built by Scandalli shifted to the new facility, all the
high end models continued to be built at the old factory.
I do believe the finishing department, warehousing, shipping,
all became located at the new factory as well, which was huge,
and the old craftsmen were gradually moved to the new
location though logistically that would have been limited
by the times, and being able to live in proximity to the old
factory and that lifestyle of walking to work, to lunch, etc.
vs: literally everyone having to drive to work as the modern
world took hold. So while it may have appeared the Super Vi
was located at the new Farfisa, because orders were fulfilled
from there, and the new showrooms were there, physically
they were still built by the old timers at the old factory
having said all that, it is always difficult putting firm dates
on things.. and as the new Factory was built, what were the first
production lines engineered and operational (it likely took a
decade to get the entire facility finished) my guess was the
aluminum, electronics, and body production sections were
the priority as those departments held the greatest ability to
impact production costs as well as introduce new manufacturing
methods into the design of accordions..
certainly no-one ever made more use of Aluminum or had more
skill with using it in new and unusual ways musically than Farfisa
Thank you all for the valuable input. I think I need a new pair of reading glasses.
