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Re: Plastic vs. Metal buttons... you decide

Nonc, since each (at least mine) accordion is different it is difficult to say the difference. On my eric martin with metal buttons (chrome, I suppose?)there are smaller buttons than on the other ones. they are also more round topped. I once posted a question if they could be faster playing?
Funny thing is that I sometimes have the feeling that (after some time playing) the chrome ones polish the horn (callus) of my fingertips which feels strange. Maybe also the acid in the fingers reacts with the chrome? I don't know. Personally I prefer the accordions with the plastic ones. But how big the influence of the buttons in this case is? dunno.
If one wants to have them, try Eric Martin in France.
He might have them.
Gus

Re: Re: Plastic vs. Metal buttons... you decide

Good dialogue.... I am not at all sure that the variance of action even matters (not to me that much).
But it is a differant feel. The other side of of this metal / plastic issue is visual (which opens up other doors). I have accordions that were built to be played (absolutely), but I also had a visual in mind for what "I" wanted.

Since I am the only (mostly) person that gawks at my accordions, looks play an important role (to me). Yes they are all playable, yes they are all hand made, and yes they all function with French music in mind.... so why the visual "I wants" ? Because I want my accordions unique... as unique as my playing and I am ok with paying the price to have it my way (sorta like burger king). I don't (as others dont) meen this to be pampus or puffed up with attitude, these are my heirloom toys that will go to others when it's time to take the big dirt nap... they should be stamped as unique, to you know who.

It is good to explore varying things we would like to have in an accordion... more, it would be good to have builders that can interface with these options and discuss these things on the forefront.

Make sense???

Nonc D

Plastic all the way, why?

I have chrome on one of my accordions, and must say that I much prefer the plasic. This may not affect you all in the south, but when playing outside in winter at a street fare or festival your fingers are already cold, the metal buttons make it worse. Your fingers seem to stick to the cold buttons.

In hot weather, the metal buttons seem to make my fingers sweat more and that make then stick too.

I also play bass and find that the chrome bass strings tend to "rip up" your fingers faster. (That's why I use nickel.) I find that the chrome accordion buttons seem to have the same affect.

So, put me in the "plasic button" camp.
(I do think the chrome buttons look cool, though...)

DP

Re: Plastic all the way, why?

I prefer plastic also. Probably due to larger size, and something about the way my fingers feel on them. There's something about the metal buttons that seem like my fingers aren't going to stay in the right place well enough.

Re: Plastic vs. Metal buttons... you decide

Hello Braves,
I have 3 accordions, with 2 of them with metal buttons and one with the plastic. I like them both, but if I had to make a choice I would go with the metal, I like the way they look on the box. My Master box is made with metal starter buttons, Mr Ortego said I got his last set of starter buttons. He was at the point he could not find them anymore in his area. He had to file them down to make them fit on the box. The metal buttons on John Rogers box I would love to have. I have a friend in Arkansas that has one of his box, I love playing it every chance I can get.
MarkS

Re: Re: Plastic vs. Metal buttons... you decide

Anyone can have the type buttons that Mark mentioned. They are 1/2" copper sweat caps which I had chrome plated. I used to use them on all my accordions. Now for those wanting to get this done just remember that because they don't have to be what used to be called triple chrome plated. This meant that metal was first brass plated then nicle plated then chrome plated. So the copper just has to be nicle and chrome plated. If your local hardware doesn't have them or is not able to get them try a refg. supply co. Now if possible try to find out if they are flat topped or slightly rounded. Depending on the manuf. they were available both ways. Also they will have to be polished before plating. So if you do it the chroming cost will be less and someone will also have to drill a little hole on the side at the bottom so that they can be wired for plating. Hope this helps.

Re: Re: Re: Plastic vs. Metal buttons... you decide

Hi John,

I love those big chrome buttons on my CAJUN box.Switching back to other boxes with smaller plastic buttons, the plastic ones seem kinda mean - harder to hit square on, although that is probably more a reflection on my lack of skill. But I was wondering - what ARE sweat caps? Pipe end blanks for the plumbing trade? Or what?

Mal Manning (Louis accordions) got hold of some antique victorian mother of pearl dress buttons, with a purple dye in them. Well, they're purple mother-of-pearl, however it was done. He bonded them onto shortened accordion buttons and fitted them to a black stained accordion. Not painted - you can see the grain. Topped it off with stop knobs made from small Venician cut glass drawer knobs. Wow!

BJ

Re: Re: Re: Re: Plastic vs. Metal buttons... you decide

Sweat caps are what you mentioned. They are the end caps used to block off copper pipe in the plumbing or refg. trade usually available at your local hardware. Sometimes if they don't have them in stock they can order them. Paul Daigle and many others feel the same way you do. Chromed Sweat caps were used for his accordions.

I like metal buttons.

I like the metal buttons. I have them on my Bon Cajun key of A accordion. I like the feel, and the look is good too, but the aesthetics are a secondary issue. I wouldn't say that I have a gigantic preference for metal over plastic. For example, the accordion I play the most is my Master Bb which has plastic buttons. I don't feel a huge motivation to go out and get them changed to metal, but it is a thought. However, at the rate I go with some things it will probably never happen, especially now that they are becoming scarce. I would be a shame if a replacement supplier for them could not be found.

Oh, one more thing. A long, long time ago (1990), I was in Quebec and was jamming with some guys. One of them had an Acadian with metal buttons. He let me play his accordion, which was the first time I had a real LA Cajun accordion in my hands (I had only played HA-114s up to that point). Those particular buttons were very different from others I have seen since then in that they were somewhat small in diameter and quite rounded on the top. All the others I have seen since then are much flatter or even slightly concave. I would definitely not want those rounded type of buttons. They were too rounded and felt kinda weird.

-David



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