Weltmeister Achat vs. Opal

[Tom]

So, of these Weltmeisters the Bodies are the same size with the Opal having a few more treble and bass keys/ buttons. The keys are smaller on ethe Opal. Prices seem pretty similar. Anyone have actual experience with these two models to discuss the relative merits? Do you feel the smaller form factor of the Opal constricts the sound in any way? Thanks!

 

[goldtopia]

I have looked at the possibility of owning a 92 bass Opal but decided on a new 72 bass Achat instead which I have had for about a year now. The Opal has narrower keys which makes it about the same size and slightly more weight than the Achat and does cost a bit more. I don't think there is a sound difference. There was one on eBay for quite some time that did not not sell, so I'm of the opinion that if I bought one I would have much difficulty in selling it. The Achat can play tunes up to four sharps and flats and the odd five. The Opal can play in six or more keys and have a few extra treble keys. I don't play more than four sharps or flats and the amount of treble keys on the Achat are OK for me, so I don't need to upgrade from a 72 bass. New Weltmeisters are cheaper from Thomanns in Germany than they are in England with a three years guarantee, I don't know why they are so much more expensive in England, maybe Thomanns have got an agreement with the manufacturers. The narrower keys of the Opal may be a slight advantage on tricky tunes like Clarinet Polka where you need to stretch your fingers very quickly over the keys, But I have seen brilliant accordionist, even with smaller hands play such tunes on normal size keys. So really the main advantage to narrower keys is weight. I also have an older German 32 bass Royal Standard in very good condition which has narrower keys and very light. I don't use it much but when I do it takes a minute or so adjusting to the feel of different size treble keys. The bass buttons are always the same size.

 

[Soulsaver]

Re Bill's point about accuracy on narrower keys - I find you get used to it very quickly.. and you get more keys under your finger span so the stretch is more achievable.
And if it's the same size casing with (more) narrower keys you'll not find much difference in the weight or sound, I'd have thought - but I'd not speaking from experience on the Weltys - just compacts in general, I have full size & compact 120 Honers (along with Excelsiors, Sopranis etc).

 

[Tom]

Thnks very much, Bill. Seems like it really comes down to the need for the larger number of buttons and keys to make the Opal more the way to go. Will I be playing songs that need 37 keys and 6 flats in 5 years? Time to consult the magic 8 ball.

 

[goldtopia]

Most tunes are up to 4 flats or sharps. Its mostly classical stuff that has many sharps or flats, though not all. Pop songs are usually in easy keys though Kate Bush who wrote her own songs is an exception . If you are just starting its doubtful that you would be playing in such keys. On my website you can see the kind of stuff I play that is mostly up to three sharps and flats. So theres plenty of scope for a 72 bass. http://www.motleyminstrels.co.uk

 

[Tom]

Cool Bill, guess you don't think of bluegrass too much from the UK. Thanks for the advice.

 

[goldtopia]

Since the discussion I have been looking into the possibility an Opal. About a year ago I made enquiries about buying a compact 96 bass Opal and its cost. Thomanns' said they don't stock it but can order one from the manufacturers. Even after a year they still don't stock it which indicates to me that it doesn't sell very well, which has put me off a bit.. As a pensioner I chose a 72 bass Achat as the biggest and heaviest that I could manage comfortably. If I were to buy an Opal of the same size and approximate weight it would not be for the extra buttons which I don't need but for the extra treble keys which would be useful for the odd tunes that come up now and then. I don't know if there is a 72 bass of any make with extra treble keys. If there is it would probably be Italian and maybe a compact with narrower keys. Italian accordions tend to cost more, I don't know why and I don't think its because of their reputation of being superior. The modern German Weltmeisters are much better than they used to be years ago and a compare well with many Italian accordions.

 

[Tom]

Thanks Bill. I've come to many of the same conclusions. For me buying a new piano accordion is a major investment, something I will do once, maybe twice. Weight has become an issue, more than size. It's difficult to carry a 23 lb. accordion around town. (Note to young players: play the biggest, heaviest accordion you can while you still can!). My Crucianelli has the 18 mm treble keys, same size as the opal. This seems like a really nice size, I have accordions with even smaller keys and if they get too small it's awkward. The opal is about .5 lbs. heavier than the achat, this seems managable. I'm still new enough at this not to be able to determine whether I will need 96 bass and 37 treble. If the sound is just as good on the opal there doesn't seem like much downside except resale which is not a major factor for me because I would probably keep it and get rid of all my old (vintage!) ones if I suddenly got the bucks to get the super fancy wooden jobber. The Italian ones definetly seem more expensive, whether an Italian for $658 more is worth it seems to be a darn good question, and maybe one of personal choice more than tone quality and reliability. I won't really know the answers for 20 more years but the journey will be fun and I hope we can jam some day.

 

[kimric]

The Opal is pretty popular in the US, and I always keep one or two in stock. The Opal has 18mm keys and the Achat has 20mm.
The sound is the same unless you get custom reeds.