Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Question for Glenn (or other reed connaisseurs) on reeds
Thanks guys for the input. I had the chance to try out a Gab Cajun King in Bb a few months ago and get a good feel for it. Assuming you can get a Gab all in for about $1K and a LA-made all in for about $2K, I say on the quality/price ratio, you're getting about 75% of the quality at 50% of the cost. That's a pretty good compromise to me. My Acadian is in D and my Bon Cajun in C. This Bb would be a third box that I would acquire (exluding my initial Ariette which I am still holding), and not my main key. Besides, if I spend $2K, I'm in for some serious discussions with my better half (wife), and I always try to avoid that...
All things considered, I think I will go with the Cajun King Bb with regular reeds... The additional cost for Binci reeds would be $175... Based on Glenn's input, I'm comfortable with that. That's my final answer...
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Question for Glenn (or other reed connaisseurs) on reeds
I say, if Chris Ardoin and J.Paul use 'em, the Gabs don't suck at all. A buddy of mine has two of 'em and they sound and play decent. Hold yer own, Maz!
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Question for Glenn (or other reed connaisseurs) on reeds
For what it's worth I have a Gabb in A that is internally miced. I brought it in for a minor repair at Alex Accordions on 48th St. in NYC and he loved the sound of the reeds. Un miced it is a little anemic but plugged in it is fine. You will enjoy it. And, I like the aluminum slides instead of wood. JMHO.
The Gabb would make a good option for a key you rarely play in and you want a better than Ariette box.. so yes, good value for the money. They are certainly cheaper to build. I think they would make a good "road box" for gigging where you don't want to worry about your accordion being stolen or damaged..
The main contentions with the Gabbs were with some bloated claims about materials and craftmanship.. these are assembly line accordions and would not like to venture into where they are built.
They remain a step above an Ariette..but are no where close to an LA box .. functional is the right word and easier on your wallet.
They're also available in several different colors.
Also, if you do change the plastic stops for wooden ones, and replace the plastic caps ( at both ends of the treble board) for brass or wooden ones, you would have a pretty good facsimile Cajun box. Well, not far off anyways.
I'm sure Jr, would sell you 4 wooden stops and the end metalor wooden blocks you can make yourself.
Also, your Gabb, has some attributes that most LA boxes don't have namely:
Despite the "absence" of mitters, John, judiciously, or I think it was his deceased dad whom asked his builders to use corner brackets wide enough to "cover" the butt joints offending cross grain on the all the frame corners,
Also, the "logo" design on the end plates is not partially "hidden" as it's the case on most LA built boxes, that is the decorative floral motif beeing somewhat "buried" beind the treble board thickness.
And "finally" I just love the fact that the long " dadoed" grooves on the sides of the frames , STOP before each corners.
Why, do I love it, well, for the only reason, that the metal corners don't show any space under them, they rest as they should on a flat surface, not "bumpy"
Cosmetics, like hell, good design, off course.
That's why I love "Falcon" boxes.
Would I buy a Gabb, ,yes as a second or distant second, if I was say into Zydeco music heavily, and needed something different, "funky" like.
But would I show up at one of Marc Savoy sporting a colored Gabb, not a chance, not withstanding the fact, that i'm probably because of my views on box building "personna non grata" there:)
But if I can spring some 700 bucks for a Gabb, I "know" that I can eventually find the rest to buy an LA made one.
SoI would try to buy an LA box before that with off course some "attributes" I like.
I used to be into fine woodworking (Used to be?...hey a guy can't do everything) and I do appreciate the details in hand work of every kind. That is one of the reasons I use Leica cameras. I take all of your comments about the Gabbanelli to heart, Claude, and plan on saving my pennies to eventually buy an LA box. In the mean time, I needed something "better" than a Hohner 114 to learn with and happened to get a great deal on the Gabbanelli. I doubt I would have paid the full retail for one. Because I know that I could have found a used Acadian, Miller, Bon Ton, or (prayers come true) a Point Noir for not too much more. Hell, I have a Leica asperical 24mm lens that cost me $2400 used! I am not reluctant to pay for quality.
You think the people at the Saturday morning jam at Savoy Music would turn me away with my Gabb? Hmmm. Maybe I need to talk to Mr. Martin.