What accordion have I purchased? And is it possible to find parts?

[RowanSumner]

I recently purchased my first accordion, a 5 row c system Guerrini. It is in a good state of tune and feels solid although a little rough cosmetically. I am not familiar with Guerrini (or any other makers if I'm honest) and it seems they went out of business many years ago, although the box doesn't feel particularly old. There are a few parts I would like to replace, especially the chainmail style bellows straps which are eating the bellows, I would prefer to find originals, or something which can fit the original holes rather than filling and drilling. Clinkscale Music, who appears to have been the dealer for this accoridon is still in business but appears to only be selling a different style leather bellows strap. Any information on this, or where to find parts, would be appreciated!

 

[JKJ]

There are a few parts I would like to replace, especially the chainmail style bellows straps which are eating the bellows

I‘m a beginner who knows very little (and, unfortunately, nothing about that accordion).

My only comment may not even apply but just in case: my Hohner accordion also has metal bellows keeper straps, but once unsnapped, they can be “folded” over and snapped to the anchoring end to keep them clear of the bellows folds. Perhaps yours are the same - the photos don’t show.

 

[dunlustin]

Re: parts
You could try Charlie Marshal here;

http://www.cgmmusical.co.uk/

Edit: to say Guerrini is a fine maker, looks as if you chose well.

 

[RowanSumner]

I have actually been recommended to speak with Charlie via several other recommendations. He has an image of the straps on his website with "very expensive, no longer in production" written next to the image. Wish me luck!

 

[dak]

Guerrini was a significant producer of the "Dugmetara" style 6-row B system CBAs with 140 basses produced for Balkan countries I think. They must have been doing something right.

 

[debra]

It's an accordion from a good manufacturer. Not high-end obviously (probably 3 voice, 4 voice bass). We don't see the bellow straps in the pictures, so it's hard to guess whether or not something can be found that can reuse the existing holes. Accordion repairers may have some stock of straps that fit.

 

[kimric]

You can salvage the mesh straps and save the bellows by gluing with contact cement a strip of thin leather to the back of the bellows strap. this will protect the bellows and cover the stray metal burrs.
Guerrini started out in San Francisco but moved production to Italy in the mid 1900's. I have a SF made one that is about 110 years old.

 

[Dingo40]

There are a few parts I would like to replace, especially the chainmail style bellows straps which are eating the bellows

Hi Rowan,
These metal mesh straps were around in the late 1960s and I have come across them on websites specialising in accordion bits and pieces. The problem being availability of the exact size.
Although Kimric (above) has made an excellent suggestion, I've sometimes wondered whether it could be possible for a manufacturing jeweller to repair the damaged originals using silver soldering?
I have an early 1970s Sonola with such bellows straps and will be trying that route when the time comes.

 

[boxplayer4000]

Rowan,
I'm sure you know this already but your London location puts you close to, probably the best accordion man in the UK, that is Mr Allodi.
Look at his site 'Allodi Accordions'. The woven metal straps are becoming harder to find. Try Charlie Abel at Accordion Cloud in Aberdeen; he used to advertise those straps.

 

[RowanSumner]

You can salvage the mesh straps and save the bellows by gluing with contact cement a strip of thin leather to the back of the bellows strap. this will protect the bellows and cover the stray metal burrs.
Guerrini started out in San Francisco but moved production to Italy in the mid 1900's. I have a SF made one that is about 110 years old.

That's a great idea. I will do that for the meantime. I'd be interested to see your older Guerrini, is it posted on this forum anywhere?

 

[RowanSumner]

Rowan,
I'm sure you know this already but your London location puts you close to, probably the best accordion man in the UK, that is Mr Allodi.
Look at his site 'Allodi Accordions'. The woven metal straps are becoming harder to find. Try Charlie Abel at Accordion Cloud in Aberdeen; he used to advertise those straps.

He actually put me in touch with the chap I bought this accordion from! I'll take a look at accordion cloud, thanks

 

[rhythmbox]

I recently purchased my first accordion, a 5 row c system Guerrini. It is in a good state of tune and feels solid although a little rough cosmetically. I am not familiar with Guerrini (or any other makers if I'm honest) and it seems they went out of business many years ago, although the box doesn't feel particularly old. There are a few parts I would like to replace, especially the chainmail style bellows straps which are eating the bellows, I would prefer to find originals, or something which can fit the original holes rather than filling and drilling. Clinkscale Music, who appears to have been the dealer for this accoridon is still in business but appears to only be selling a different style leather bellows strap. Any information on this, or where to find parts, would be appreciated!

 

[rhythmbox]

The Clinkscale sticker shown dates the sale of the instrument in Melrose to between late 60's to early 80's, which is when their new stickers were designed...that means it's probably between 40 to 50 years old...not a bad age for an accordion, and actually when the manufacturing methods were arguably at their best. It's not a top of the range model, but by no means a cheap and cheerful one. I'd be interested to know the name of the chap you mention as having previously owned it...there's a fair chance I may have sold it to him around that time... Enjoy it... ;-)

 

[RowanSumner]

The Clinkscale sticker shown dates the sale of the instrument in Melrose to between late 60's to early 80's, which is when their new stickers were designed...that means it's probably between 40 to 50 years old...not a bad age for an accordion, and actually when the manufacturing methods were arguably at their best. It's not a top of the range model, but by no means a cheap and cheerful one. I'd be interested to know the name of the chap you mention as having previously owned it...there's a fair chance I may have sold it to him around that time... Enjoy it... ;-)

Thanks! Nice to know Clinkscale are still in business. I actually bought it from a dealer in Birmingham, not sure how it made its way to him.

 

[Ikesaccordions]

That's a great idea. I will do that for the meantime. I'd be interested to see your older Guerrini, is it posted on this forum anywhere?

Older Guerrini LOL The SF factory stamped the dates inside. I have several I picked up when I was there in the late 70's. BTW the factory building later became The Albatross Irish bar. Towards the end I think maybe somebody modified my 1951 Guerrini from 120 to 140 bass, and that job was never 100% right. Major modifications are seldom really successful. I haven't pictures to show you right now as I am busy unpacking from my move.
I will say for now, my oldest SF Guerrini is dated 1919 with an inlaid pearl eagle just like the Girardelli chocolate bar, only prettier. The eagle or just wings was a logo of theirs, and other makers in the Guerrini tradition also used wings to represent it. The 1919 squeezebox is 4- 1/2 row C-system CBA with Reverse Belgian 140 basses. 4-1/2 row means the outer row was connected to an inside row of black keys in a 3, 2. pattern to look like piano keyboard. IOW the keyboard has flat white keytops in a "staircase" pattern with fake black keys on the inside row connected to the outer row.

 

[kimric]

My very old Guerrini

 

[RowanSumner]

My very old Guerrini

That's very nice and slightly confusing! So my Italian accordion really has its roots in the bay area? Its a eastend cockney now. I'm guessing with a maker gone this long I'm not going to find a replacement for that rusty R on the logo emblem?

 

[rhythmbox]

Thanks! Nice to know Clinkscale are still in business. I actually bought it from a dealer in Birmingham, not sure how it made its way to him.

Was the dealer's name Nigel, by any chance?

 

[Ikesaccordions]

That's very nice and slightly confusing! So my Italian accordion really has its roots in the bay area? Its a eastend cockney now. I'm guessing with a maker gone this long I'm not going to find a replacement for that rusty R on the logo emblem?

There was a factory in the Bay Area, and later one of the same name in Italy.

 

[RowanSumner]

Was the dealer's name Nigel, by any chance?

Yes, in Birmingham