Nonc, some day someone should put all your gobs of delta wind into a book.

Wise advise as always. From my perspective a used accordion is not like a used car, which has a pretty set worth based on measurable mileage and "character". A used accordion, especially handmade, is more in the art category. The character on it is worth something to some, and is a price reduction to others, and who made it and who owned it are worth something to others.

I have a well worn, old Hohner 114 with rust, scratches, dents and a broken reed, but as the gift from a friend whose dad once owned it, I wouldnt take the "buy now" price on that ebay box for it.

Mary Ann, what I feel everyone (who besides me, is very knowledgeable in these things) is trying to tell you, is that it is pretty darn hard to put a pat price on a used hand made accordion. If I had $1200 to put on an accordion and that box had no sentimental value to me, I would put that money towards a new one. Just my uneducated 2 cents.

Good luck with it.

This discussion is great because it shows a lot of information that is hard to come by.

Last month there was a Shine Mouton accordion that I purchased after reading the discussion on this board. Not all the comments were positive. The surface rust created a good bit of concern and the seller provided no information on the history. Ebay operates on the premise that most people are honest and for the most part, I've found that to be true. For some reason the seller took my offer of $395.

Local sources (thanks guys!) sent me off to Greg Mouton with my prize. He pointed out that the instrument was not played that much, just enough to show some wear on the lacquer by the 567 buttons. He also pointed on that the thumb strap was set up for a kid. I'm looking forward to getting out of Greg's shop in Crowley when he's finished sprucing it up.

This one also shows minimal wear on the bellows. When you weigh sinking money into a Hohner of taking a chance on this Magnolia, the choice is simple. Someone will be happy with this deal.