I have a Soprani accordion, but I cannot find any nomenclature or anything that displays a model or serial number. It is in remarkably good condition with the original strapping and case. It belonged to my late father-in-law who played it in the 40’s and early 50’s. Can someone help me?
Soprani accordion
- Thread starter jonsias
- Start date
Not without pictures!
I have a Chevrolet car... can you tell me more about it, please?
Just like there are dozens of models of Chevrolet cars, there are even more models of Soprani accordions. Pictures are a good way to at least start.
There’s even multiple different brands with the Soprani name on them.I have a Chevrolet car... can you tell me more about it, please?
Just like there are dozens of models of Chevrolet cars, there are even more models of Soprani accordions. Pictures are a good way to at least start.
Dingo40
Been here for ages!
My father in-in-law was one of those fastidious French Canadian/Americans. Took very good care of everything owned. Neither my wife nor I are musicians so, I would like to establish its bona fides and a fair market value.Boy, this is really old, pre-WWII!
An amazing survival!
Dingo40
Been here for ages!
Well, this is so early that it simply wouldn't be worth faking. So, it's definitely an Italian Soprani not a Chinese one!
There were two main Soprani's to choose from: Paolo and Settimio. Paolo was first on the scene, so didn't need to use his first name in the early days.
So, it's most likely a pre-war Paolo Soprani.
Unfortunately, it's one of the lesser featured models.
Even if it was in good playing order (which may be doubtful after all these years) it would only bring a couple of hundred dollars at best as it is musically rather limited and it's really a buyer's market these days: it's not a barnfind Rembrandt, sadly.
If you have the space, it may be worth more as a family memento or of some use to a musically inclined family member.
I know you are kidding, but it is surprising how many people come on here thinking that they have some magic million dollar relic only to find out that their box (that near ALMOST ALWAYS looks good, but hasn't been played in 50 years "so it has to be like new", and is in reality rotting and disintegrating inside), has no real value... and more, if they wanted to get working properly, the cost to repair greatly exceeds it's value.Oh, bummer, I guess it's not going to finance my retirement.
Thanks for your time and candor.
I can basically say that there are only 2 groups of instruments that over long periods of time hold their value:
1 - Hohner Gola (IF PROPERLY MAINTANED, greatly increases it's value)
2 - the musical instruments of famous/renown accordionists like Diero, Welk, etc... and have the provenance to prove it and condition is not even all that important, but it helps.
Now, I am NOT talking about true quality instruments, those ALWAYS will hold value to some amount if in good condition, accordions like top of the line Pigini, Excelsior, Hohner, Beltuna, Scandalli, etc.
If someone brings up their great grandmother's low/mid range damp, rotting and non-functional accordion that looks great, I cannot tell you how many times I do the full out eye-roll when they ask the value... lol
Thanks again for your honesty and humor.
That's a lovely little instrument. Sadly I'm the other side of the Atlantic to you
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