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Some good reading

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landro

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Part of the reading is actually sad because he's giving advice to buy a new Borsini whereas Borsini recently folded so that is no longer a real option. Borsini accordions have a nice open sound due to their lightweight construction but that is also their achilles heel: Borsini accordions are more fragile than say a heavier Bugari or old Hohner.
Despite the bias the advice about tuning and repair is 100% absolutely sound. An older accordion that is out of tune should not be subjected to a quick tuning job. Often the frequency goes up because the leathers open wider than when the instrument was new. (The easier and further leather valves open the less resistance the air has and this increases pitch.) So an old instrument needs to have the valves replaced (preferably by new plastic ones) and only after that should one start tuning.
Some old instruments have a really nice unique sound not found in new instruments (think of the Hohner Gola or the Hohner Morino M series). It is worth restoring such instruments to new condition rather than buying a new accordion. But indeed most old instruments are no longer suitable for professional players who need an instrument that sounds good as new.
 
His self serving sales pitching aside , I think his comments regarding old vintage instruments deserve some thought.
Think about it. When the need arises , there`s not much thought given to laying out $30K (US) to $55K + for a new auto but how many of us are willing to lay out $8K-12K for a nice new accordion that would last them a lifetime or how many would pay $2k-$3K or whatever the cost of a rebuild . (new wax and leathers) for their personal vintage accordion ?
 
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