I had the great pleasure this week to meet up with a local Cajun accordion builder right in my own backyard here in Houston. Mr. Horace J. Thibodeaux (a native of southwest Louisiana) of "Diamond Accordions" is a true gentleman, and from what I could tell from seeing his boxes....a great craftsman. He learned how to build accordions from Mr. Larry Miller of Iota, LA and only builds one or two boxes a year. Like most accordion builders these days...he has a full-time career in the insurance industry and only builds accordions on the side.

Mr. Thibodeaux is a wealth of information and it was great to listen to him speak English in his heavy Cajun French accent.

Here are some photos that I took when I went over to his place to check out his boxes.








I give Mr. Thibodeaux and his "Diamond Accordion" a thumbs up!

-RE

His brother, Mr. Nelson Thibdeaux, builds fiddles, and also plays fiddle for Cory McCauley on many occasions.
JB

That is a real beauty. You can see the quality craftsmanship in this box. Well done sir.

Its kind of ironic but I was just talking to Larry Miller yesterday and he mentioned what a great job he was doing building boxes. He said he is also a good accordion and fiddle player. Great looking accordion.
Chuck from Kentucky.

Roy, give it a whirl on youtube!

Jim,

You asked for it...you got it! A video of that accordion that I took pics of.

http://youtu.be/Z_DawP-1jwo
The youtube link is attached on the website link icon below.

The Diamond Accordion is being played by the gentleman in the blue
shirt....and the builder, Mr. Horace Thibodeaux is the gentleman singing and playing guitar.

Sounds good to me!

-Roy E

here's the vid embedded, some solid and massive playing !:



- Nout

Well, that's me buddy Jason Babineaux playing.

Thanks for putting that embedded video up!

I'm a little technically challenged!

Great sounding jam, isn't it?

-RE

Chuck,

Not only does Mr. Thibodeaux play the accordion and fiddle, but also plays guitar. A very versatile musician! I'm actually heading over to his place tomorrow for a little Cajun jam that he hosts at his place with another gentleman.

He truly is a great guy....such a gracious person and fun to talk to.

Looks like I might be placing an order for one of his accordions. Since he only does one or two a year....I better get in my order quick!

-Roy E.

Where can I order one of these, and what is an average price for one?

I can't find any info on this guy at all. Any links to where he sells his accordions from?

Here ya go: Diamond Accordions are built by cajun accordion builder Horace James Thibodeaux.
800 West Sam Houston S., Suite 112, Houston, TX 77842
Phone: 713-780-2212, Email: jthib_@hotmail.com

Mr. Horace has a full-time job, so he only builds one or two boxes a year....and I'm not sure if he's even taking any new orders, but you can certainly email him or call him.

Thanks! I actually found one that Ed Poullard was selling second hand. He made sure it was up to snuff and now he's mailed it out to me! It's a Horace J. Thibodeaux "Diamond" in the key of C.

This is what it looked like, I think before he tweaked it for me:



It should be here tomorrow!