Just talked to the guy in the midwest that sells the Castiglione 3 row, 3 voice diatonic. $2595.

When I talked to Karlos last year or so, the price for a Dino was $3500.

How different are these two boxes? Durability, sound?

They are both very high quality and great sound.

Castiglione does not actually make accordions. What they do is rebrand Guerrini accordions. Do you remember my big red triple row? It is a Guerrini, but it is identical to several Castiglione triple rows I have seen. It has been very durable and reliable - I have pounded the hell out of it for almost twenty five years, and only recently needed to do some small repairs.

Baffetti is also very, very good. Probably better in some respects. But, it is also a lot more expensive. So the question is whether the additional cost is justified or not. I tend to think not, but YMMV.

I saw that they were rebranded, and asked him specifically who built it, and what brand the reeds were. He would only say built in italy, and tipo a mano reeds.

Thanks David. Is yours 3 voice or 4 voice?

Mine is a 4 reed: LMMM

At best, John Castiglione is evasive. His customer service is a notch below Gabbanelli.

Castiglione boxes have been made by several Italian firms over the years.

Dino Baffetti also makes the SALTARELLE line of button accordeons.

Karlos' Dino Baffetti boxes have genuine a mano (hand made) reeds.
What I have seen in the Castiglione boxes are tipo a mano (like hand made reeds but are not)