David (and only David since I already know exactly how Claude and his disciple feel about Cajun boxes): what is it about the Castagnari that you find better than the Cajun boxes you've played? Reed response? Air consumption? Volume? Fingerboard action?
The video link is Brendan Begley of Ireland playing his Castagnari One row.
It is about 20 years old, hammered by constant use, he added a fingerboard extension because he has very long fingers...used on at least one CD which I have... he plays one row most of the time and two row C#/D.
Interesting play for sure. The left hand is almost never used. When it is used the gentleman, he just hold the buttons down. I think the accordion would sound much better with butt joints.
Perhaps I'll post another of him playing on a one row and another with C#/D..
BTW he's about 6 ft 4 in. and has huge hands... the box I smaller than the typical Cajun made box.
The Jewell on the Button Box site is most definitely the Pointe Noir if you are looking for a classic Cajun made box. It would not matter that Dick Richard used, or did not use, butt joints.. there's magic in his accordeons.
Years ago I ordered a box from him and shortly thereafter his wife dies so we put it off for a while.