Hi, I’m Christel, my father recently died at the age of 97 and when cleaning the house we found an accordeon hidden in a dark corner. Can Some one tell me a bit more about this Soprani model? Any idea how old it is and the history behind this? At the bottom it has suffered a bit from humidity it looks, but for the rest it looks pretty cool. Thanks!
Who knows this accordeon?
- Thread starter Cvdp
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Dingo40
Been here for ages!
It seems to be a 1930s(?) (Paolo?) Soprani (Italian) made 41/120 piano accordion with several thumb-operated treble coupler switches: a higher than introductory model in excellent cosmetic condition for age.
Does this accordion have a protective box to live in when not in use?
There was a member recently looking for a similar instrument here on the forum.
Yes, here he is: Richard Rauschmeier
You can send him a pm!
Does this accordion have a protective box to live in when not in use?
There was a member recently looking for a similar instrument here on the forum.
Yes, here he is: Richard Rauschmeier
You can send him a pm!
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I have a 1938 Paolo Italia, this one looks a bit newer, likely somewhere in the 40's. In their day they were prized instruments. Today they are (if in perfect condition), middle of the pack instruments. Due to their age, if not maintained regularly, they usually require quite a bit of maintenance. It is not uncommon to see valve replacement for both hands and a good tuning required, as a bare minimum. For an older model like this, that level of work comes very close to exceeding it's market value and it would not be unusual to require more like bellows, shoulder and bass straps as well as I see that the bass side cover looks to be in bad condition.
Mine is in even worse condition but like yours, there is going to be some other factors. Mine bears sentimental value as it comes from my grandfather, kind of like yours comes from your father.
A pic of mine:
Mine is in even worse condition but like yours, there is going to be some other factors. Mine bears sentimental value as it comes from my grandfather, kind of like yours comes from your father.
A pic of mine:
Dingo40
Been here for ages!
Are you sure?
•For earlier models, Soprani was sufficient identification: later on, other Sopranis came on the scene requiring further detail, hence the addition of Paolo?
•The skinny black keys hark back to the 1920s?
•The severe lines and angles are also suggestive of an earlier rather than later model?
But...what the hell would I know?
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rauschmeier
Member
Thanks Dingo! You've probably forgotten more about accordions than I will ever know!
Not sure why I like these '20 - '30s boxes so much. They just speak to me!
Not sure why I like these '20 - '30s boxes so much. They just speak to me!
Dingo40
Been here for ages!
You're too kind!
Those old boxes have great sound: quite different to later ones !
Dingo40
Been here for ages!
Here's Alf Hågedal playing his restored 1920s finto piano accordion
:Jerry Nicolato demoing a restored vintage accordion :
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Thank you!It seems to be a 1930s(?) (Paolo?) Soprani (Italian) made 41/120 piano accordion with several thumb-operated treble coupler switches: a higher than introductory model in excellent cosmetic condition for age.
Does this accordion have a protective box to live in when not in use?
There was a member recently looking for a similar instrument here on the forum.
Yes, here he is: Richard Rauschmeier
You can send him a pm!
