I emailed the seller asking them who built the accordion, just doesn't appear to be a "handmade" box.

You are better off then. Need an accordion? Desire maybe, but not need.

You can get a Gabb direct from John G. in Houston for much less than that ebay price and he will tune it any way you want. They are nice boxes for Zydeco IMHO.

At best, the seller doesn't know what he's talking about, at worse, he's misleading potential buyers within his description when referring that these are the best and preferred by pros. In term of quality and price, the Cajun King Gab is positioned between the Ariette Chinese-made type and the top hand-made like the Bon Cajun, Acadian, etc. They are normally available between $600-$900 for pre-owned. Personnaly, I wouldn't pay over $1000 for that box even brand new.
Maz

Seller replied, it's a Gab.

I sent the seller a message. He modified his description to be more realistic with the item. It is better now. Maz

i asked what key it was
he doesn;t know

wle.

Chris Ardoin can be seen posing with a Cajun King Gab on the cover of his new CD, "M.V.P."

They really aren't bad boxes. While I only play Falcons and a Martin, I wouldn't be opposed to having a King in my aresenal, as long as it was electric green and in the key of low F, of course! I've got a buddy in a TX zydeco band, Zydeco Blanco, who plays the heck out of 'em and they hold up. They play nicely but I wouldn't dream of buying one on eBay -- unless it was electric green and in the key of low F.

~ R!ck

$1000? Nope, even brand new, I would not pay that much. Not unless they have improved from what they were 3-4 years ago. The sound was very weak without a microphone, and I have come to dislike the non-standard (i.e., larger) size of the bass box. I used to not have an opinion about the bass box, but having played one more now, it feels awkward and clunky. I suppose that if that was what I was used to, it would not be a problem. It also used to be the case that there were no options on the tuning, and for some odd reason they did not use standard Cajun tuning (they used the "equal" tempered system instead of the "just" tempered system that most Cajun accordions have). The tuning might be part of the reason that they are not very loud, but the fact that they are using #3 reeds is probably a more significant factor.

I would consider buying one if the price was less, like perhaps $600 (or maybe $700 if I was sufficiently motivated). But even then, I would only get one if it was to have it be in a key that I would use only rarely, such as low F or G. I would only be using an accordion in those keys for a very few songs, which would not justify the expense of the superior, but more expensive LA (and Texas) handmade accordion.

-David

p.s., I won't kiss and tell, but I happen to know of at least one nationally known accordion player who gets his Cajun Kings at approximately $700 - he told me that himself a few years ago. Perhaps he gets a "sponsorship" discount, but he didn't say so.

i wouldn;t go over $450 even if i didn;t have a C
accordion already

which is the same thing as david said, i might
pay 450 for a very oddball key which i also
needed, which i can;t even think what key that
would be. low F maybe, but no, i have F on
both of my 3 rows.

A maybe. but i sold a
larry miller A-flat because it was
too close to B-flat, which i also have.


since i have a C accordion though,
my offer would be so low that
it;s forbidden by law to publish it!!

i'm betting this guy gets zero bids.

he changed the ad about 3 times due to my emails.

and those of others, so he doesn;t know anything
about accordions.


wle.

If you read the current description now, it appears that this guy is a "dealer" (or some sort) selling accordions. The key fact being that he is offering this accordion new in others keys as well.

DP

good work Maz. I sent him an email thru ebay also. I think he is more embarrased than anything

Hey, we're getting powerful and influencial here LOL!

Check it out, I was looking trough our local want ads and came across this site. I think it is the same person. Ned Theall of the Boogie Kings? www.cajunaccordians.com

$500 for an Arriette!!!!! He won't be in business for very long.

And yes, I am beating a dead horse, but the prices for the Gabbi single rows are ludicrous, as are the statements that they are equal the LA made Cajun accordions. I hope he is just naive, and not dishonest.

-David