Hey David, it's been a long while since I've visited with you. Hope you're doing well. To answer your question about the difference in price, between a 9 button or 10 button accordion: I would say this, I've only built 3 in all my years of building them. Why, simple, the bellows are harder to come by.With all other factors remaining the same, the bellow for the 9 button is NOT what is considered to be a "normal" size. What I mean by that is, when ordering bellows from a manufacturer, that bellow would be a "special" order. Way back when, I think that the 9 button was a fad, an instrument that was smaller, an option intended as a "youth" model. The problem was, and still is, it takes just as much time ( maybe a little more ),and cost the same for parts ( maybe a little more )to build it. To me, the most important factor to consider is, if at some point in time, the bellow needs to be replaced, ?????
My 2 cents worth .

Hi Jude,

I am doing well and I hope you are too.

Thanks for the info about 9 button boxes. Makes perfect sense. It's always good to have the real info from someone who knows, rather than having to speculate or guess (which is all I can do).

-David