Chiff and Fipple Forums

Hey, didn't those Dancemaster boxes use to be set up in a 21-button configuration, but with the whole scale shifted up a button, i.e. with D on the fourth button? So that you'd have fewer high notes but more low ones? I don't know -- it might have been another brand I'm thinking of, but whatever it was it seemed like a pretty cool solution to the problem.

rh wrote:So manufacturers don't have much incentive to offer a specific model to accomodate C#/D players. You could always get a custom button layout or get somebody like VanderAa to build a special box for you.

You're right, and Frans van der Aa has made boxes like this - look at the one lying on its back in the photo below.



Also, on <a href="http://home.hccnet.nl/h.speek/irishbox/index.html"> Han Speek's page</a>, there are no less than three different boxes by van der Aa with the same button layout. (Three? A case of "AAAOAD", it would seem!)

But I still don't understand why this isn't an option offered by factories who supply significant numbers of boxes, including B/C models, to the Irish market.

Another one, an "Irish model" by French maker Serafini. When are the Irish makers going to see the light?

Check this out -- 19 buttons!



These guys are onto the longer inside row concept.

According to http://www.akkordeonwerkstatt.ch/medium.htm they'll also make it in a 21-button.

10 bass buttons could be a nice solution-- you'd be short either 2 chords or 2 basses, but it would be very flexible methinks.

If this handy little thing could be put out in a 3-voice MMM it would be perfect.

Check out their link to a build-it-yourself melodeon. Might have to rig me up a workshop-- it would be a fun project.

longeireann wrote:Check out their link to a build-it-yourself melodeon. Might have to rig me up a workshop-- it would be a fun project.

Can you post the link? -- I'm having trouble sorting through their pages using a translator.

colomon wrote:

longeireann wrote:Check out their link to a build-it-yourself melodeon. Might have to rig me up a workshop-- it would be a fun project.

Can you post the link? -- I'm having trouble sorting through their pages using a translator.

I think it's this one:

http://www.akkordeonwerkstatt.ch/bausatz.htm

Babelfish says:
With our kit you build yourselves a Diatoni "Einsteiger Oergeli" in C major with a tonumfang of more than one oktave. You accompany your melodies with C and g-g-Quinten bass lateral.

longeireann wrote:According to http://www.akkordeonwerkstatt.ch/medium.htm they'll also make it in a 21-button.

They told me that for the 21-button, the buttons are smaller and closer together than standard, which I don't know whether I could get used to.

BTW they also told me they had no experience of selling outside the EU when I asked whether the prices included sales taxes which they could knock off for export.

Tim Hall wrote:

colomon wrote:

longeireann wrote:Check out their link to a build-it-yourself melodeon. Might have to rig me up a workshop-- it would be a fun project.

Can you post the link? -- I'm having trouble sorting through their pages using a translator.

I think it's this one:

http://www.akkordeonwerkstatt.ch/bausatz.htm

Babelfish says:
With our kit you build yourselves a Diatoni "Einsteiger Oergeli" in C major with a tonumfang of more than one oktave. You accompany your melodies with C and g-g-Quinten bass lateral.

Here's a human translation of the next paragraph:

For 120 Swiss franks we supply fully prepared materials, reed blocks ready for insertion, help and detailed instructions for building a miniature diatonic accordion. The instrument is kept as technically simple as possible, but is not a toy. It is suitable for accompanying children's songs or for folk music.

Sweet! Thanks for your help, I'm going to try to send an inquiry to the company.

Ack, I'm not sure if I just managed to send them a message or not. Do any of you see a sign of an e-mail address for them on that web page?

colomon wrote:Ack, I'm not sure if I just managed to send them a message or not. Do any of you see a sign of an e-mail address for them on that web page?

The reply to the query I sent through the website came from info@akkordeonwerkstatt.ch

Mind you they didn't reply to the answer I sent back to that address - there was no real need I suppose.

It might help if you wrote in German, you never know. Nothing on the site suggests that they speak English...

Another French maker with the right inside/outside concept. Click here http://www.pianoabretelles.fr/Diatoniques_Stelvio.htm and select "models". It's the Kerry.

Many highly attractive custom accordions out there... judging only by the photos, the Untersee guys even appear to make their own bellows, which is pretty rare these days.

StevieJ wrote:The reply to the query I sent through the website came from info@akkordeonwerkstatt.ch

Mind you they didn't reply to the answer I sent back to that address - there was no real need I suppose.

It might help if you wrote in German, you never know. Nothing on the site suggests that they speak English...

Thanks. I think maybe it's time to break out my German-speaking, trad-loving secret weapon...