Does anyone have a G box that they would like to sell or trade?

I have a nice C and a Bb that I could part with.

If you had a G box, dat would mean dat when you played in the second position (mostly pulling), youd be playing in da key of "D".

And when you play in da first position (mostly push) you would be playing in da key of "G". And in da 3rd posish, i think it would be in da key of "C".

I once borrowed anh played a ha-114 honer "G" dat had a very haunting and soulful sound to it, but I played it alone witout da utter musicians.

How would such an accordion perform or mix wit da utter musicians tuned standard on dere fiddles and guitars? Is it easily doable? I never tried it mysalf. Dat "G" hohner still exists, but i don tink its four sale though.

I've been wondering this myself, would it be a standard- what I call a high tuned fiddle, or a low tuned one- the same tuning as when playing with a C accordion? The D on a G box would be a lower one than on the push on a D box, plus like Mayawt says theres the G and the C in there.
So perhaps both fiddle tunings would work? Hmmm... any clues Watson?

You are correct about the keys in the various positions using a G accordion.

I don't know how well a G accordion would fit in with Cajun music, but it has become widely used in Zydeco in recent years. I think part of the reason is that most songs are played in the second position (which is D on a G, as you say) and that is a good key for male vocalists to sing in a relaxed and soulfull style. Another reason is that the accordion gets a nice mellow sound in that low range.

Thanks for that info David. I'm intending to have a harmona box converted to a G, my tuner/repairer has some hohner T reeds in G, but alas none in A or Bb. So for me its a budget way of getting into playing some zydeco, I've heard on here before that its a good singing key. I bought one of those 3 stop antique german non-individual reed (non-playable) type accordeons and that turned out to be in G, you're right about it being relaxed and soulful.
Could you please you point me to any examples of zydeco being played on a G box- are there any clips on Youtube?
The reason I was asking about the fiddle tunings is that I wouldn't want to sack the fiddler!

AJ, here's Horace Trahan on a G box:



If embed doesn't work, use link #1.

I can't think of specific examples off the top of my head, but Chris Ardoin and Brian Jack both use a D accordion quite a lot. I am pretty sure Keith Frank uses one at least occasionally. At shows, he usually lines up 4 or more Cajun accordions in different keys and switches around between them. One of them is likely to be a G.

Sorry I can't be more specific right now.

AJ, I know someone over here in the NL who has a Weltmeister in G for sale.
The price is more than reasonable - I almost bought it - but you will have to add the cost for shipping, and maybe import taxes as well (I don't have a clue about that).
mail me if interested. of course AT = @

It's a low Welty! Very interesting instrument.
But not as loud as the LA made G's.

Here's an interesting video posted by Bryan Lafleur of Cory McCauley on a G box playing 1st position with Jason Babineaux on a C box playing 2nd position G. This fascinated me the first time I saw it, and it continues to do so.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5iC3EbuDqk&list=UUD7ISlHzScjrLxX6TkvuyhQ (cut'n paste)
or link #1.

Poo Yille, mais dats it! I'm gone buy me an Acadian wit some Hohner "G" reeds in it tuned to Iry Lejeune's almost wet tuning. I wonder if Marc would do dat four me? Have it as a side show accordion that I keep off to the side for dose special occasions when I wanna hurt somebody.

Thanks Ned but I can't get the Horace clip to work. Tell me the title of it and I'll do a search on youtube.
Y'all might be aware that on youtube theres also Ganey playing "born in the country" using a customized G hohner in G.

AJ, search for Horace Trahan's Eunice Two Step. It's really good, slow, groovy, and low.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxecJWRgE7A (one mo' time)

Yeah you right!
Thats a great find Ned. I love the turn on it
lyrics anyone?
More to the point David would like one of these, as usual we've gone off on a tangent!

I like playing with a G box on a tuned down fiddle, an A box on a tuned up, or tuned up with both boxes! Its fun as all get out, because tuned down with the G or tuned up with A you get to play in that E position on the fiddle. Plus those high songs that were in C are now way easier to sing!! The accordion itself sounds awesome in these keys especially the bass side.
Its not that hard to accompany if you guys were still wondering, any guitar picker or fiddler worth his salt could definitely hang.

So Christine, you are a fiddler first accordion player second? Anh I wonder if an when I want to know tings about accordion vs fiddle or accordion wit fiddle, can you hep me? It sho wood be nice to have aaaaa an ehhh aaaa... wats dat word Im looking four? Contsultant?

Consultants Of Swing

.... sorry that was pretty dire

Ba-doom. Thank you, I'm here all week.

Anytime beg no. Usually have my email attached. I'd be glad to accommodate you.

Thanks Christian for the fiddle info.
Getting back to the Horace Trahan clip above I've noticed he is singing a simplified version and through familiarity I can almost pick out some of the phrases. Would a french speaking brave be able to transcribe it for me please?

Something like this. I love playing on a G accordion. I made one a while back with old Hohner G reeds and loved the sound of it.

Ehh, bye bye, Catin,
Ohh, mais, malheureuse,
Ehh, bye bye tite fille,
Quoi moi j'va faire moi tout seule.
Tu connais quand toi t'es pas la
tu connais je m'ennuie de toi
Tu m'as quitté pour t'en aller
Oh mon couer fait mal.

Thanks very much Bryan.
As it happens just last night I was trawling youtube for clips of Madame Sosthene and there you were with your handmade G accordion!
So you've helped me twice in the last 24hrs.

Vive les Braves!

I knew it! There is just something about those Hohner reeds. Even Mr Lafleur ,who should know, has pangs in him heart for dem tings.

Christing, tank you four offering yo hep and accomodation. I never been accomodated before. It sounds nice! No but really, is fiddle you first weapon, and how long you been using it?

I really started liking Eunice more since I changed the way I play the turn. Great groove.
Kirk

I also would like a G...
Bobby Gardiner often played Hohners in "G"

Hohner 114 in G on eBay - $535 + $30 shipping.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hohner-Cajun-accordion-Model-114-Key-Of-G-Only-Very-Slightly-Used-/161465362239?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item259815e73f or link #1.

That Bobby Gardiner stuffs great. Its a certain thing that irish 1 row stuff, I've also just stumbled accross John J Kimmel- a German New yoyker who played Irish style 1 row early last century. Over here in old blighty there is a tradition of 1 row playing with an Irish influence in East anglia- the south east and in common with Cajun, a C box is favoured. They combine it with step dancing which is somewhere between clog and tap dancing on a stone pub floor or a wooden board. Its alien territory though when you're used to playing cajun and creole style, even though that stuff is something closer to home for me... oh lord if I ever get the time!

This'll warm your heart or make you laugh!

And of course there is Katie Howson... key of "C"