Fair question there Lucy.... although that is fairly common knowledge and discussion that we have revisited many times, here is my take on it.

Doubt seriously that my accordions were 100% completed by the builder exclussively. Of my accordions; Three had been partly done by apprentices with the overall inspection tuning and final approvals being done by the master builder. One, had his wife doing little nervey little things like the finish on the flappers, felt and leathers etc. some parts or services may be "farmed out" as a specialty. So as not to delve deeply into high dollar equipment for a cost effective meens of smaller volumne builders.
But...

By and large, it is the end result mostly eminated from the builder, or, his final exacting approvals for what the end result produced.. along with the standard parts list from abroad naturally(bellows, reeds etc.). The builder name is the go too person where the consumer is concerned... for any issue or comment.

Still, there is the question in many minds that appear on this board now and then;

Is a hand built accordion truly a hand built accordion?
I say it is as an expression of differentiating the term.. hand built vs. production factory thing. That creates a baseline of varing degrees of quality in some instances. Knowing not everything about our alledged handbuilts are 100% hand built by one specific person (honestly that does not matter to me).

Further:
I also doubt that a geographical location for where this is activity of building is done. what makes one better than another? If the end result of quality (for what we understand of quality) is applied when it reaches the buyers hands at a reasonable price, little else matters.... except to those who are steadfast on domestic products and supporting incomes of the culture where the music we play comes from. So does price factor in? Sometimes it does for many folks, just as any investment item would.

Nonc D

Joanie, you are correct.
I will tell you his name is Jim and omit the last name.

He lives in Birds Landing California (just west of Rio Vista about 10 miles). He does exclussive graphics for one builder and one builder only, Junior. He also does fine abalone inlay as an art form. Jim does play accordion, but he plays Irish. The late Ed Luckenbach would play music now and then (Irish) with Jim.
Re: Ed, he studied from Junior on the construction/repair and tuning, on his extended visits to Louisiana.

Nonc D

Is it so very important for you to know?

Gus

yeah really

i am perfectly happy with my
accordions

what difference does it make
to anyone else?

it;s like if i was going to
drive to texas, someone asking
if i was going to take
i-20 or i-10

what matters is the end, not the
means

wle.