petch
Well-known member
There was a french second hand marketplace website full of CBAs and convertor accordions at reasonable prices but the name escapes me...
What are some small CBAs to look out for?
- Thread starter lordzedd
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This eBay auction had way more activity than I expected. I didn't participate, but maybe someone else here did. Not a terrible price for one in the US.
I fully agree with this. 3 row is limiting. 4 rows is the minimum to have some more decent fingering options.
Accordionology
Newbie
Hello Zach -
Still seeking a smallish B-system CBA?
We're selling a Weltmeister Romance 603 B-system for a customer/friend of ours. The listed price is above the $$ you mentioned.
However, If you're interested, have a look, get in touch and/or make an offer.
Glad to see if the owner would consider your offer... especially since 'twas the customer who pointed us to your post!
Thanks & regards, Jack
Weltmeister Romance 603 Chromatic Button Accordion B-system, as-new — ACCORDIONOLOGY
This is a great opportunity for a well made B-system CBA in superb, as-new condition! Made in Germany. RIGHT HAND: 3 reeds (LMM), 5 rows, 60 buttons, 36 tones (G - F#), 5 registers LEFT HAND: 4 reeds, 72 buttons; deep, full sound. At 16.75 lb, it's easy to handle & comfortable to p
www.accordionology.com
OuijaBoard
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Well, OP, you are not going to get a CBA in your specs for under US $1,000, it's that simple. Under US $1,000 is the Chinese stuff with reeds that have painful responsiveness/stiffness issues. Like the so-called "Excalibur" CBAs. An Eastern European Delicia or East German Weltmeister will get you closest provided you go only for recent, contemporary boxes--older boxes from that region can be stiff and unplayable. Current ones are playable and good value for folk music. But they will cost over your price limit.
Another good value option that has its detractors on this forum is the Hohner Nova line. (Its PA counterpart is the Hohner Bravo line). These accordions are made in China but the reeds are not Asian--they're Czech, I believe, and the tone and response compares well with the old workhorse Hohners formerly made in Germany. I have more than one, and they are very responsive and playable. There are a couple of small, lightweight, portable 2-voice models that are quite underrated for folk or simple song melody lines. Some bass button tops used to fall off after a few years, not sure if they've improved that. The Hohner Nova II 60A is a small four-row 60-bass. The Hohner Nova II 48 is a three-row 48 bass. The 4-row 60 bass would run you around $1700 US. The 3-row 48 bass can be had close to $1200/1300 US from Europe minus VAT.
About the 3-row question: I prefer 4 rows. But if you are talking simple single-voice, non-chordal folk melody lines or simple song melodies, 3 rows can work great. The trick is you must train yourself to play using thumb as well as index, middle, ring, and occasional pinky when necessary. Not everyone can or wants to do that. However, while I save my 4-rows for tango and Paris musette, I use an 11-pound 3-row for the Celtic family of traditional tunes--Irish, Cape Breton/Scottish. It works brilliantly, fluid and rapid. I wouldn't go 3-row as my only CBA, but as an extra, it's been a revelation and a blast to play and carry around.
Another good value option that has its detractors on this forum is the Hohner Nova line. (Its PA counterpart is the Hohner Bravo line). These accordions are made in China but the reeds are not Asian--they're Czech, I believe, and the tone and response compares well with the old workhorse Hohners formerly made in Germany. I have more than one, and they are very responsive and playable. There are a couple of small, lightweight, portable 2-voice models that are quite underrated for folk or simple song melody lines. Some bass button tops used to fall off after a few years, not sure if they've improved that. The Hohner Nova II 60A is a small four-row 60-bass. The Hohner Nova II 48 is a three-row 48 bass. The 4-row 60 bass would run you around $1700 US. The 3-row 48 bass can be had close to $1200/1300 US from Europe minus VAT.
About the 3-row question: I prefer 4 rows. But if you are talking simple single-voice, non-chordal folk melody lines or simple song melodies, 3 rows can work great. The trick is you must train yourself to play using thumb as well as index, middle, ring, and occasional pinky when necessary. Not everyone can or wants to do that. However, while I save my 4-rows for tango and Paris musette, I use an 11-pound 3-row for the Celtic family of traditional tunes--Irish, Cape Breton/Scottish. It works brilliantly, fluid and rapid. I wouldn't go 3-row as my only CBA, but as an extra, it's been a revelation and a blast to play and carry around.
Totally concur with this—that has been my experience as well.
Messaging about 4+ rows is coming in loud and clear. I'm learning now on a 3 row 61 button bayan, and use of all five fingers is standard instruction from my teacher. My use case envisioned for instruments considered in this thread is similar to what OuijaBoard mentioned. I haven't determined what I'd be looking for yet in another large instrument, but I'm learning to not rush these sorts of things.
Has anyone encountered these? I've never heard of the brand so don't know if anyone has one or would recommend?
www.mengascini.com
Mengascini Accordions – C 30 M.B.
www.mengascini.com
Walker
🪗
Regarding the brand, I have tried a number of Mengascini accordions in the past. They seem to be a good quality Italian product. My experience is only with their piano accordions with stradella bass. They have a nice range of folk, musette and classic instruments. There are a few virtuosi who play their classical and musette instruments.
Mengascini may not be my first choice for a top level free bass instrument, I would personally look towards Pigini first. However, an instrument like the Mengascini C30 MB is clearly designed with a slightly different purpose. If the sound, quality and the price is right it might be a decent option.
Mengascini may not be my first choice for a top level free bass instrument, I would personally look towards Pigini first. However, an instrument like the Mengascini C30 MB is clearly designed with a slightly different purpose. If the sound, quality and the price is right it might be a decent option.
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You tube has a whole raft of videos on the Mengascini
The real McCoy . .highly trusted by me ...Has anyone encountered these? I've never heard of the brand so don't know if anyone has one or would recommend?
Mengascini Accordions – C 30 M.B.
Found a seemingly rare B-griff Hohner Piccolo(?) while incidentally browsing an Austrian classifieds site. It at least looks like a Piccolo, but every single other I've ever seen has been C-Griff.
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