Most all of the Baffetti's that are special ordered through Larry Miller for the Zydeco crowd .. as well as the Baffetti's through Karlos Landin ( of Karlitosway accordions in Dallas ).. are made with Handmade reeds.. Zydeco Pro's want Bincis.. the Tex Mex crowd goes with Antonelli or Artigiana handmades..

Handmades make the difference.. try them and you will never settle for factory reeds again!..

Glenn

Hi Glenn,

What does it add to the cost to go with handmade reeds on a triple row, 3 reed or 4 reed? If the cost isn't that much, it is surely worth it.

I know that on a piano accordion, the cost becomes prohibitive. I don't beleive there are many people ready to shell out $10,000 or more for an accordion!

-David

Hi Claude,

I have a 3 row, 4 reed (LMMM), 9 switch, which is factory tuned. It very definitely has a heavy Musette sound if you use the Master (LMMM) or Musette (MMM) switches. However, I tend to avoid using those settings, in which case the sound is not musette. It also means that I am carrying around an extra set of reeds which I rarely use. That is why, if I ever get around to getting another triple row, it will be three reed (LMM). It may be that Sean, Corey, et al, are doing the same thing that I do, and just don't use the Musette settings.

But even if I am not using the Musette settings, there is still some tremolo between the two middle reeds that are on. It is just much less than is the case with Musette. The amount of tremolo I get with 2 middle reeds on is fairly high - that is, it is a wet sound. But it is OK. I have heard of people retuning the middle reeds to make for a drier sound. In fact, I bought such a triple row from Glenn, and I really like the sound a great deal. It is not totally dry - there is just enough "wet" to give it an edge. It is much drier than is the case with any factory tuned accordions I have played. But maybe the trend lately might be going more toward the dry side? I don't know.

-David

Hi Dave..

the tipo a mano reeds should not add more than roughly a couple hundred bucks to the cost of a new box.. for Handmades.. add on a hundred or more on top of that.. we're looking for handmades at a range of $250 to $450 addtional cost to a new accordion.. which in the long run is well worth it:

1. Fewer read breakages ( if not abused )
2. Stays in tune longer ( the whole range high, middle and low notes )
3. sounds better with playing.. especially after 6 months to a year of regular playing.
4. Increased volume and response ( noticeable the first time you pick one up )..

If going for a "lifer" box... insist on handmades or at least tipo a mano ( like hand mades )..which are nearly as good and more affordable.

The brand you choose will effect the sound quality ...but that is a matter of taste..

Go for the handmades ( number ones).. or tipo a manos ( number twos )...

Oh.. I think "dry " is " In " myself !

GLENN

Sure, I got one.
With the blessing of a voice that rivals those currently popular in R&B, what is keeping her in the genre of Zydeco rather than taking the jump into the fray of nationally popular American music?

(Not that anybody minds her keeping it close to home :)

Please do not consider this a criticism, not everyone is interested in mainstream national stardom. I was just curious to hear where her interests were and why.

Please ask her when she plans to tour Europe and Italy in particular.. Zydeco is NON existant here whereas in Holland, England, France they have a long tradition of bands, venues, and festivals.. Italy : zilch ( we had Lil'Brian here last year to play in front of a crowd of clueless people in lawn chairs.. that's it )

Thanks.. Glenn

Thanks Braves! I will compile these questions in my interview (these are great so far!) Feel free add more -- and to listen live -- online during that time 4/10/06 @ 9:25PM at knon.org. Thanks again!

~"T-Richard"

Thank you all, very informative thread on reed cost,( hand made versus tipo a mano)and musette sound with 4 reeds box, new trend( drier sound perhaps)etc!.

Thank you all.

Claude.