I know Gabbies are not well loved here, nut I picked up a Bb back when the price dropped. I believe the story was, the father died and the Cajun King stock's price was lowered to make way for the new line. Don't know what a brand new Gabbie sounds like, but the one I got works out fine. No, it doesn't compete with my La box, but it doesb't have to. Don't play in Bb that much, and it does give me a different sound. Don't know if it's fair to compare the older Cajun Kings with the newer ones.
The resell thing is alien to me, cause I don't get rid of anything. Embarassed to say how many guitars, fiddles, banjos, stomp boxes, amps... geez, it gores on and on. Dwight, I see your point, but I'm sure there's pack rats like me where that's no a concern.
And yes, accordions are overpriced. But it isn't the builder's fault. Bellows and reed prices skyrocketed. Parts alone are an easy grand. Take into account the time involved, and you'll understand why there's so few full time buiders. Great hourly wage... if it was the depression.
Steve
I don't agree with the comment suggesting that La-made boxes are overpriced. With the rising Euro against the green-back (Reeds, Bellows & mechanics), and considering the number of hours (approx 60) the builders put into them, it's not overpriced by any means. When you compare them to Quebec-made boxes of similar quality that range in the $2,300 +, it's all good.
Maz
Cajuns found a way to build their own 4-stops after the availability of the German boxes were nil during WWII. Was Sydney Brown ordering bellows and reeds from Italy back then?
As creative and crafty as "rural Cajuns" are in practically every aspect of their lives (they are all veritable McGyvers); why in the world hasn't some son of the Louisiana soil been able to craft bellows and reeds -- and chrome buttons for that matter?! Is the mafia involved? I just can't figure it.
Rick, while I can see you're point on someone from LA producing bellows and reeds here, the first time those bellows come apart when someone is pulling on it, will be most likely the last time that maker will sell an accordion or the bellows for that matter.
As someone who is about to "hit the market" with an all new name brand accordion, I can tell you that unless you go through all of the trials and tribulations of building these things you won't have a true appreciation of their worth. I say that meaning for me, they are a labor of love and when you love something, you put everything you can into, at least I do. I look at this as if I would be building each and everyone for myself and no one else. For me, if I know what I am getting had the same care, attention to detail and strive for perfection that I would give, it's worth the money. I know that I am not going to sell a box to anyone until I am 110% satisfied with it and believe me, I am my own world's worst critic !!