Of coarse the reeds and blocks contribute the most to the sound of an accordion but remember that the sound is bouncing around in there and the surfaces it bounces off of is going to make a difference no matter how small. If you varnish the inside of an accordion reed blocks and all, then install the reeds it will sound different than if you had not varnished it.

Have you done that experiment? I would be very curious to know, esp. if it was the same accordion and reeds, and reedblocks--the only difference being the varnish. We need to know these things. If it will really make a difference, then we need to be doing it, you know?

I am still going to venture a GUESS that the difference would be negligible. I did a very unscientic paper for my music physics class that looked at the "acoustics" of the Cajun accordion. It was VERY unscientific, no data, really; just observation. Before I started working on it, I really thought the wood and everything would make more of a difference. I am not saying that it doesn't make ANY difference, just that it is such a smaller factor in tone than in the reeds, and reedplates. The way free reeds work is very different than say string on a violin or guitar--in those instances the wood is a major component in tone.

I have already tried that experment and I find that there is quiet a difference, and more so to the trained musicians ear.

If I might add a footnote here. Builders in Quebec have, for lack of a proper word, advanced much more in design changes, sound improvment, response etc. than thier Cajun conterparts.

How nice. But all those kinds of things are subjective. I mean what sounds better to one person or one region is not what the other person or region will call "better" or "more advanced." Everybody likes different things. Just for example, brighter and louder does not always mean better to everyone. Some people like rich and mellow. I don't know the difference because I have never heard the Canadian boxes. It is probably "better" for musicians up there, because it fits in with their tastes.

That's the whole story Cris! They like thier accordions loud and with the tuning they use I find that they sound harsh. But they play music more similar to Irish music. I prefer the mellow sound ie cajun style and being most are miced, up to a point loudness was not my thing. What ever floats your boat I say. Don't pass a good accordion up just because it doesn't blow everyone out the room acousticly.

I remember when we were in school Mark Savoy spelled his name like this: Mark Savoy!!

Sidney Brown from Lake Charles appears to be the father of the modern cajun accordion. the WRITINGS section at savoymusiccenter.com has a lot of information, Especially A HISTORY OF THE ACADIAN ACCORDION.