I'm debating buying one. I don't care about the key it comes in, just about what breaks on it within the first few months.

Any reviews?

nothing breaks in the first few years. I haven't heard of anything breaking and they stay in tune! They get professional play time in the Latino music world. They are basically a Corona II with a plain wrapper. Glenn would be the best guy to ask though.

I've had mine for about one year. I play it maybe once every two weeks on average. It is still like a brand new one. Mine is in FBbEb (?) (or whichever key is used for Zydeco players). The only detail that bugs me a little is on the bass side, the button mechanism is kind of noisy.
Definitely a good value for the dollars involved.

Jim, I'm somewhat local (germantown md). If you would like to check out the Panther that would be fine. I could use a few pointers on the 1 row since I'm the only one I know with an accordion!

i;ve heard several of them
all GCF i think
they sound good, seem well made for the money
they are thin but on the other hand very bright and sharp, you might even like that

wle

Thanks for the reviews guys. I'll probably buy one. I wonder, however if going through people on Ebay is wise. I wonder if different distributors have better quality than others.

Craig - You should come visit me sometime. I'm not driving at the moment, unfortunately. I give Cajun accordion lessons, if you're interested. 20 dollars for an hour. Also, I'd like to try out the panther

Jim

Do you have a Sam Ash store nearby? I have seen the Panthers for sale at the one near where I live.

-David

Never heard of Sam Ash. The closest store that has anything accordion related is about an hour away at House of Musical Traditions. Over-priced and unfair trade ins.

Ok, so my disability back-pay was more substantial than I originally expected, so I ordered the Panther at a place for $385, and I know that sounds high, but there is free shipping. Also they are supposedly inspected by technicians, and they also are extremely knowledgeable about the accordions they sell.

PLUS, I've made a boat load of money busking down in Fells Point (one of the jobs my body can still handle), so I figured I'd treat myself.

A thought just popped in my head. I'm so used to thumb straps with one rows, but don't want to get into the habit of using the one on the el-cheapo Panther (I also expect it will be too large, just like the HA114).

Another thought just came to me. I wonder if it would help keep my thumb stable if I put rosin on the side of the fingerboard. Maybe even a little reed wax (which is also composed of rosin)

What'dya think?

Hey Jim,
I have a 3 row Hohner, and when you have the double straps on, it gives the accordion plenty of support. I made the adjustment just fine, one row to 3 row, it should not be a problem for you at all. Good luck and have fun!
MarkS

You don't need a thumb strap on a triple row, and in fact most don't have them anyway. I recommend you avoid using it.

I don't know about the rosin idea - I suspect you will find you don't need anything like that.

Good luck and have fun! I love the triple row almost as much as the single row. Really, I can't imagine a gig and limiting myself to only one or the other.

-David

I removed the thumb strap so my hand could crab its way about. It seems some 3 row players seldom use their little finger and some use their thumb. I gotta use that pinky in order to hit the octaves cleanly.