Curious what everybody's preference is for buttons - metal or plastic. I've got both, but because each accordion has a somewhat different feel, it's hard to say it comes down to the buttons. The reason it becomes important, is the company that made the stainless steel buttons stopped making them, and there doesn't seem to be anyone to take their place. So when those existing buttons are used, that's it. I was told before stainless steel, copper sweat caps were used, but they are slightly larger - in fact, they fit over the stainless buttons. Anyone have an older accordion like that, and do you notice a different feel?
There is a third option - wood. I've got ebony buttons on one accordion.
I equate this to a guitar player looking for a neck with the perfect action. Any thoughts?
Steve

I prefer the stainless steel buttons Steve. It has more of a real feel to it one of those dirty get down to it play or dont play it feelings ya know?

OOO,
Can you see, it?
Black ebony buttons.
Polished smooth!

I bet that would look very cool and feel great.

DP

Steve where did you find the ebony, and how did you shape it? Does it come in the right size dowel, or did you have to turn it? I am also interested in using something besides metal.

I used an oversized guitar bridge blank, cut it into squares and turned it on my lathe. Then shaped the free end, polished it with steel wool and cut off the proper length. Then shaped, polished and cut nine more times. It does have a very warm feel under the fingers. Rosewood would work as well, but ebony polishes to to really nice gloss.
Steve

Didnt you also use ebony for the flappers?

Was the ebony similar to wood to work?

I like that idea.

Ebony's not that bad to work with. Every now and then, you'll come across a pin knot that you can't see, and you might tear the wood. Violin fingerboards are graded not just by color, but also by grain and percentage of pin kmots. The better the grade, the easier it is to work.
I did make the flappers out of ebony. Weight was not an issue, but because of the density, it's prone to a lot of clankity clank, so the felt has to be increased to quiet that down to normal.
Steve