Hello I have a Castagnari Melodeon in the key of D similar to the ones advertised on the buttonbox.com website.
I have owned it for 4 years and have not wound up playing it much as I played a cajun box in C in the band I was playing in.
It does not have any straps, even the thumb strap is missing, but it still has the fasteners :)
comes with a castagnari case
sounds great, I opened one stop at a time and went thru all the notes and one of middle 7 pull reed does not work.
I posted some pics on a craigslist post (link 1)
I can post or email a video if requested
I would prefer of course to keep this fine box forever but I really need to fund a recording project and I hope to pass this along to the right person!
I don't know about the tuning, I bought it used. I suppose it's pretty dry tuning, I'll see if I can't get a video posted that you might be able to help me figure it out.
Here's a link to a video of this accordion, I play the Ft Smith Breakdown then run thru every button push/pull:
https://youtu.be/xepnB6lT_2c
Not sure what to say about the pricing vs the button box website's, the lack of straps is unfortunate, but I have listed it as OBO, I would be willing to discuss what someone would pay for it. Like I said in the original post, I'd like to fund a recording project and this accordion is not getting the attention it deserves!
Castagnaris are held in high esteem by one row players around the world.
LA "hand-mades" are not of the same caliber. There are some players who do use them in Ireland, Quebec, England and the niche players in France who play Cajun music..those who play "other" music with one row boxes use Castagnaris more than any other maker. Simple reason, very well made and less money than "famous" LA Handmades with butt joints.
I'll wager Castagnari to LA Handmades.. 100 to one if not more.
Cajun style boxes are best for Cajun style and the Castagnaris and Beltunas (a very fine instrument) are for everything else.
I would suggest opening up the Castagnari and freeing the one reed.. that's a start.