I get it with the Regal. I got a less fancy 2nd triple row for the same reasons. My first Cajun style accordion was the HA-114 Black C (Cajun tuned). That was what I could afford at the time.

If it is 3 half steps below your C box, well, it's not high. Let's put it like that. Normal, maybe? In any case, not high.

Yeah, just trying to figure out the proper terminology before possibly ordering reeds "sight unheard".

Looks like I might be able to borrow someone's A box instead, so, all might be moot at this point.

thank y'all for chiming in.

In ordering reeds, you wouldn't ask for low or high, you would need to notate the note number itself of each reed. But with a company like Binci that has been supplying reeds for Cajun boxes for so long, ordering a Cajun set (10/4/2) would get you a set A reeds that are lower than your C box. If ordering from someone other than Binci, chances are they would have no clue what "cajun set" is and you'd have to notate each reed to avoid misunderstandings.

Just out of interest, is it possible to order a single set of reeds from binci?
Was under the impression they only catered for builders buying a number of sets.
If so what do they cost and where do you get em?

I haven't ordered from them, but they do have a minimum, think it may be 10. Only company I know of that will sell one set of reeds is Harmonikas in Czech republic, haven't tried their hand mades yet. Junior Martin(actually Penny) sells them for a mere $400 a set, and I think Jesse Brown (Choupique Accordions) will sell some cheaper.

Thanks Bryan.

By the way, I wasn't clear, but the reeds Jesse and Martin sell are Binci.

I don't think you can get reeds in high A, the highest I've heard of is F. I'm guessing what you are referring to relates to lower quality reeds and construction. I'm assuming the Regal's reed blocks are all standing, which loses some sound in itself, but I would think that would be more noticeable in the lower keys.

Reed blocks all standing. I considered gluing them down, but you said it would probably need to be retuned then, and I just didn't want to sink more money into the box.

Regals are just OK..

I have owned a few..

My observation is that the C and D boxes sound the best.

A boxes can sound murky.


Reed quality and the block construction are the two main factors here followed by tuning.

A very famous Quebec accordeoniste.. Alfred Montmarquette, born Montreal 1970.. died 1944..

Was a highly skilled, self taught one row player. It is my understanding he played exclusively on "A" boxes.

I have Smithsonian Folkways Records 00111 cassette tape of Montmarquette.. fantastic stuff.

I also have a CD by one of my favorite Quebec players, Gaston Nolet.. who put this out a couple years back.. all one row in A dedicted to Montmarquette. Several other excellent Quebec musicians are also on this recording.

I have posted a link to Montmarquette on youtube.

I have two Hohners in A... HA112, HA113

I would like a box in A specifically for Montmarquette style. Thou8gh could be played on other keyed boxes.

I believe Montmarquettes boxes were three reed.. I'll get some details and post them later.

Alfred Montmarquette... Born 1870, Died 1944....

One other note on Montmarquette's "A" accordion.

His was a three reed MMH no low reed.

Gaston Nolet played a Quebec made MELODIE "A" on his Montmarquette tribute CD,
it was also MMH no low reed.
Of course it would be possible to play the music on an LMMH in "A" and a vast improvement in getting rid of the muddiness by closing the L stop.

Modern Quebec accordeonistes play Montmarquette tunes on D boxes..often with all four of the LMMH reeds.