...or just read here from the website.

http://www.meloche.net/acchist.htm

WF

I believe that the Sterling and Monarch brands were originally built by Weltmeister which, being located in East Germany, had to use these names during the cold war. These names were dropped in favor of Weltmeister after the Iron Curtain fell. Kimric Smythe of Smythe's Accordion Center in Oakland, CA is an expert on Weltmeister and he can tell you all about them.

I've been doing some research myself and I too have come to the conclusion that "Monarch", "Sterling", and "Weltmeister" have some sort of a connection and they were most likely built by the same company. You can look on the right side facing on these accordions and you might find it to be obvious. The "crown and lace" graphics seem to be a tell-tale sign and have quite a story to tell. Although the modern-day "Weltmeisters" share the same likeness as Hohner's "Ariette" model. don't be fooled. I've heard those accordions on YouTube and they do sound quite loud and are very well tuned. Like I said, from the front, they may appear like the "Ariettes" but the right side facings are very much like those of the "Monarchs" and "Sterlings". Believe me, they're not a cheap accordion. They cost somewhere between $845.00 and $1,000.00 American Money. These "Weltmekstere" can put Hohner's "Ariette" and Gabbanelli's Cajun "King" accordions to shame. Gabbanelli's Cajun "King" accordions are quite beautiful but are too gaudy-looking and do not have the same sound quality of one by Randy Falcon or Marc Savoy. The same can be said about Hohner's "Ariette" and slim "114 A" models. Oh, by the way, "Weltmeister" is the German word for "World Champion" or "World Master". So there you go.

I read somewhere that the names Sterling, Monarch, Globe, etc, were the importing company, not the manufacturer.

Actually, the importing company's name was "B. & J. Sole Importers" out of New York City. They're the ones who imported these accordions and believe it or not, according to my friend, Randy Falcon, "B. & J." are still in business today. "Monarch" and "Sterling" accordions shared the same body design while "Eagle Brand Special" and "Globe" accordions were slightly taller and had no outer corner plates. Also according to Randy Falcon, "Eagle Brand Special" and "Globe accordions were NOT made by the same company who made "Monarch" and "Sterling" accordions. I'm not sure who imported "Eagle Brand Special" and "Globe" accordions but like I said, I know B. & J. imported "Monarch and "Sterling" accordions. I wouldn't be surprised if B. & J. imports the "Weltmeister" accordions today. Boy, that woukd be something.

Hi, there.
I have an antique "accordean"from Sole Importers (the accordian also has the carved inscription, B & J., N.Y.). It is not in great shape, but I would like to know if anyone has an idea of what its value might be. I think the model name (I don't think he was THE OWNER!) is "Franz Schubert." If it was his personal accordian, and it was inscribed with his name, I assume it is worth a lot. But, either way, instruments from Sole Importers are pretty expensive on Ebay.
Can someone please give me an idea of the monetary worth of this instrument or a solid company to use for an appraisal?
Thank you!

The Weltmeisters are slightly "better" built than an Ariette as for construction and air tightness, i had a D for a while, but the reeds they used then (Chinese?) were not so good, and they have two standing reedblocks influencing sound. I know one souped up Cajun King which is definitely "better" sounding, louder and more like the real LA ones, but has a more bulky feel than this Weltmeister or again the real LA handmade thing. Weltmeisters were also sold under the name Harmona in Europe.

I borrowed an quite old H114 C a while back in 2007, was my first experience with one rows, and still think that it was the best sounding of any one row i heard, maybe not for some top class LA handmade accordions. Fatter and thicker sounding, loud too, but sluggish to play compared with a Weltmeister-Harmona, and quite less efficient with air. A Weltmeister is a good choice for a beginner, if you don't pay too much for it, i saw some overpriced USA advertised.

Be aware that not all the LA accordion makers are of the same quality; saw & done repairs on some not so well made ones; and if you look for a reasonably priced factory made and useful instrument with a good "Cajun Accordion" sound i'd favor a souped up Cajun King or H114 from Marc Savoy's shop.

Weltmeisters were also sold under the name Harmona .... and there are more european brands like Beltuna:



-Nout

Yes, you do have the right to your own opinion about accordions. But Me, Personally, I prefer "Weltmeisters" because they sound more like "Monarch" and "Sterling" accordions and are made more for the Traditionalist like myself. Gabbanelli's Cajun "King" has a different tuning than you would expect from one made by Marc Savoy, Randy Falcon, or Junior Martin. No one can beat them. They all makes very good accordion as you may know. But as far as imports, I would go with the "Weltmeisters" Gabbanelli's Cajun "King" accordion is made more for Zydeco style players and not Traditional Cajun Music. They just don't have that sound. I've been playing accordion now for nearly 27 years and I've played a lot of them. The good, the bad, the ugly... I've played them all. The closest thing I've ever heard to Marc's, Randy's, or Junior's accordions are the German-Made "Weltmeister" accordions. They have the more Authentic Cajun sound and furthermore "Weltmeister" is the same company who made "Monarch" and "Sterling" accordions before World War II. So there you go. Hohner and Gabbaneilli are no match for Weltmeister. To Me, Hohner is more for the beginner while Weltmeister is more for the advanced Traditional player and Gappanelli is more for Zydeco style players. Yes, when it comes to Traditional Cajun Music, those "Weltmeisters" can put Hohner's "Ariette" and Gabbanelli's Cajun "King to shame!!