As the original owner of this box I can attest to it's quality.
Smaller than a Cajun box, lighter, faster.
Unparalleled workmanship. Absolute jewel.
These now go for $1800 and very difficult to get with wait times up to a year (if not in stock.) To my knowledge , no US dealer currently stocks these..
the preferred choice of many Irish players..
Castagnari is still considered the premier Italian builder of diatonics.. you'll see once you ahve played one..
.. true. Beltrami does many of their custom tuning jobs for special orders and professionals.
.. Beltrami puts out an Irish box now which are gaining popularity in Ireland and UK.
.. The Castagnari's are hefty ( great workmanship, great materials, and hefty pricetag ).
.. I saw Sharon Shannon playing a Cardin Mini in concert recently..I guess it is more out of nationalistic vein as they are Irish made.. as she was the showcase player for Castagnari ..
Sharron Shannon was the ONLY Irish accordionist to play a Castagnar 2 row.. though others play the one row..
She played primarily Tommy's in B/C and C#/D as well as the Lilly 1 reed..
Stepped keyboards are unusual in Irish style of play...
One was played at an Irish festival recently in Chicago and opened alot of eyes and ears... A reputable irish box collector/trader recently contacted me as he had heard on in the States and says they are getting popular in Ireland they say.
Pro boxes.. not for amatures.. great tuning..great action.
The April 2011 Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week
