I have a gab in A. It weighs the same as my handmades. Nice accordion. For what it's worth, I just saw Chris Ardoin this weekend and he had two Gabs in his arsenal. It's not a Falcon but it is definitely a nice box.

The Gab's have more volume than the two key Falcons and are not as heavy. Salpa reeds used in the Gab's are good but I don't know if Mike uses (voci a mano) hand made reeds. The Gab's I have seen have removable reed blocks which unlike La. made boxes don't have removable reed blocks.

What do they sound like?? Would imagine they cost a fraction to make than a normal LA box.

G.

Bohemian and Playing Irish

I too thank you for not saying celtic. Its become a nondescript term for anyone that can play a jig, hornpipe or reel on any stringed instrument. Play Irish, play Scottish, play tunes from Brittany etc. Not sure about Celjun music yet. Perhaps Michael Barney will connivence me this summer. Very much of a traditionalist and I love Cajun music the way it is and was.

Best of luck on getting the accrodion that you want. This is the forum to find out people's opinion.

IMHO .... Ed

SAPI and SALPA are not the same

Around 6 -7 pounds

I luvs dem spoon basses..

Celtic means nothing any more..
Afro Celt
Pop Celt
Euro Celt

Celts were a tribe that wandered a bit..
Some include the following
Bretons from Brittany France
Welsh
Scots
Irish ( but what about the pics)
some include The Galicians in Spain

and believe it or not.. and this is factual

the Bohemians which by definition were German speaking Czechs by the last they actually existed in the late 1800's, were originally of the Boli tribe and yes they were Celts.

Bohemians invented the harmonica and a many of the accordion forms so ergo accordions are Bohemian

You are welcome and no charge

The Removable reeds block is a plus and a minus..
they can be quiter but depends on the maker
Definitely simplifies tuning and of course was the original way to switch keys
I carried reed set in my case for my B/C and G/C 2 row for a long time.

If I were to get a new lesser expensive 1 row The King might be a choice over the Hohner owing to the Chinese origin
but don't be fooled.. many Euro boxes have parts sourced from around the globe...

Irish traditional music is Irish traditional music check out IRTRAD-L newsgroup

Celtic is a record company's merchandising and promo slogan

Ever been to a restaurant and ordered Cajun blackened something and it is just overspiced charred slop
same thing

Paolo Sopranis were nearly all 2 rows after 1940 at least those in use by norhterners and westerners.. these were great honking celluloid covered buicks
and highly sought after.. at least those made up until the 60's . Soprani died and left the company to one of his daughters who mismanged it into the ground and then sold off the name.. I believe now owned by Menghini (sp) and produced be=y several companies prior to a lower qulaity

Just a side note.. these highly collectible and expensive 40's and 50's Paolos particularly the Grey Paolos did NOT have handmade reeds...average [price for one opf these beasts would be around $4K

Have you thought about one of the Weltmeister made 1 rows.. Call the Button Box in Mass or look at their web site.. Ask for Doug Creighton as he has familiarity with the Kings and many other one rows.. he'll steer you straight.

$800 for a King sounds like a good deal...spend a few more bucks and get one of their switchers with stacked blocks..lots of stuff inside but not much comes out..

Boliman

Update

Menghini consolidated with some other makers and now is called SUONI.. they produce
Paolo Soprani
Scandalli
SEM
and make for many lesser known rebranders

these are ok but what kinda music u trying 2 play?

Booo-E-Man Moooosic .
Sorry, seven, I couldn't resist .

Krazy Kanuk.

I have a Gabanelli B flat box and I like it.
It is way better in response that a Hohner G box I acquired for some strange reason, but somewhat less good than my Acadian C.
First I had a problem with a clapper sticking open, but eventually I was advised to apply some wd40 on it with dental floss around the pivot and after that it worked fine.