Hello all,

To begin with, I apologize for posting a question that I am sure has been covered before (but I have been unable to find). I have searched the archives and this site has a great wealth of information. But, I have not found an answer to my specific question.

I only have about $350 available to invest in learning the accordion. I wish I had more, but I don't.


For purists who cannot imagine buying an inferior Chinese box, all I can say is that I wish my pockets were deeper. My only options are either a cheap box or no box.

So here are my limited options:

Hohner Ariette: $300-325
"Morelli" (ebay): $180
"Signature" Cajun Box Acadian 1211SN (amazon): $200


My question: If all of these are inferior products, is there a difference between the Hohner and the others? Or, all they all equally bad? I've searched past threads and I've been unable to find an answer to this.


I would appreciate any thoughts you would care to share.

Thank you,

Ken


PS. I also wanted to say that if I could wake up one day and say to myself, "I'd like to learn how to play the accordion," I bet there are thousands of others thinking the same thing. I only say this because every time I pick up a new hobby I always seem to be behind the curve.

Boy, HAS this be gone over!!

I had a Morelli Triple Row a few years back. Got it for $179. It was not bad, but the bellows gave off too many fumes so I sold it.

Not sure what their single row is like. I know the guy on eBay won't answer my questions about one of his triple rows. He's advertising a 3 register box as a 3 reed box.

Can you get by with a toy accordion for a while?

First Act accordion (WalMart, Toys 'R Us) is not bad, and goes for about $25. 7 buttons, but its the best of the toy ones out there. I have a booklet I put together for playing cajun songs on this.

Otherwise, I've tried the Ariette, but I seemed to have to fight it a lot.

Dwight,

Thank you for your reply.

I don't think I can bring myself to play on a Toys'R'us box just yet. It might be too big a blow to my ego :)

The ebay seller has been a bit evasive to me, too. But, from the looks of the archives here, it seems that he has been selling the same product for a while now.

I have at least 3 of the toy ones. I've written two songs on them. One for the car, one for the office, one for my bed (I think better lying down).

Yeah, I guess I would be a bit brought down if they were the only ones I had, but you can get your fingers going on them.

If nothing else, I would try to get the Hohner 114. You could get a second hand German made for $200-$400. Or a new Chinese one for about $500. I find it a good step above the Ariette. Also, you can notice that many, many Chinese boxes (just look at Ebay) are probably the same box with a different name on them. Beware though, if you have not yet tried a handmade box do not do so unless you want to dish out! There is just that much difference. Good luck!

Toby,

Thank you for your reply.

Where might I find a second hand German made for $200-400? I've looked but not seen any.

Ken

Ken,
Here is The Brown Box its own-self right on good ole e-bay for probably less than $ 70.00. I played one for 3 years and learned just enough to be dangerous on my new hand made LA unit. The one shown was probably owned by a little old lady who only used it to play hymns on Sunday. Go get 'em!
JB

JB,

Thank you for the link. I'll give it a shot.

Ken

I have one just like it. I bought it to screw around with while my handmade was being hand made. I learned how the bellows worked along with the air button and playing the scale in octaves. I still play it but it tires you out quickly. Good with beer drinking and watching the smoker filled with ribs!
They are cheap
you get what you pay for
craig

this discussion again---- well once again i remind all that an ariette is great for a newbie because it is a whole lot quieter than a handmade... the neighbors will thank me for encouraging you to buy one.

as far as cost--- pay up to $125 for a cajunasian box---no more! There are a lot of em out there iolite, bon ton, ariette, etc etc. keep watching ebay, but do not pay 3-400 for a new one from a reputable dealer! You will still be diddling around with it to get it to play almost immediately.

lastly- there are some really fine 2-rows out there that sell way under value because they are not hot right now. The best is an erica or even better a 3-reed corso, but there are plenty of weltmeisters, delicias, bandmasters, german-made no-names, italian no-names, and even an occasional top brand italian 2-row that go very cheap, and are fine musical instruments (which the ariette class is not).

Soundhound,

A apologize for bringing up this discussion again. I imagine it can get old, quick.

One solution to this problem is a FAQ sticky at the top of the threads. If all points of view have already been expressed, I'd be happy to compile them for the group. Of course, I can only quote others because my p.o.v. isn't informed enough. But I've done this for other discussion groups and it is pretty easy. If there is interest, I can start a new thread and people can just submit links to the most informative "beginner/newbie/should I buy an arriette/morelli?" posts.

ken

JUST LOOKED AT EBAY--- HERE'S CHEAPIE THAT MIGHT JUST BE A GOOD ONE--- sound like the bellows may need a little tape,

http://cgi.ebay.com/Key-C-F-black-accordian_W0QQitemZ290103641809QQihZ019QQcategoryZ16218QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks for the heads up. But I just put a (modest) bid on the ebay item JB alerted me to.

De nada, Ken.
But, I think maybe somebody else on this forum is trying to outbid you. What the heck, what's another
buck. Keep it rolling. Anything less than a C note for a French Chinese C key squeeze is a sweet deal.
JB

it just went for $305. Go figure.

Ebay provides vast evidence to disprove one of the fundamental principles of economics, which is that people act rationally in their own economic self-interest.

-David