Have you tried a D accordion? On the bass, this would be in between the high and low if you were in key of C. You have to try different keys to find your comfort zone.
Maz
There are some songs that are just too high in C. forget about D
That may be why B flat accordions were sent from heaven, but then the fiddle players tell you to go to H--!
really admire all the great cajun vocalists who can do all those high tunes- the great style of Jesse Legge for example soars way up there. Quelle Etoile, for examle is a B---- in C but almost attaiable in B flat.
I feel y'all's pain too. I can sing comfortably in G, but F is probably my ideal key (even though I never do any songs in that one).
I recently ordered a new A Savoy box, which will be ready in October. E (on the pull) is a great key for my voice -- I don't have to strain the highs, and the midrange notes are comfortable.
Mess around with a guitar to see which key is best for you. Then you can buy a box that has that key in the pull.
If dropping the bucks for a new box that drops the key is not possible, you might try this -- it's worked for me and produced some interesting "original" results:
If you can find the lower harmony to the melody, give that a shot. You'd be surprised at what a new twist it can give to an old standard.
Another thing you can try is to play the song in the other position on the accordion. Many, many songs will work perfectly fine especially if it is just to cover a request. Here is one that I have done several times: Ivy Dugas recorded "The Gravel Road" in Bb on a Bb. Even in Bb, it is a pretty high song. I don't have a Bb, so if someone requests it, I play it in A on a D accordion. There are a few subtle differences in the melody, but you can get your point across.