Thanks Rick. Your candor is appreciated. You brought up several interesting points. As a begginer I just want to "jump in the water and learn how to tread water", so to speak. Once my learning skill has improved I will no doubt be ready for an upgrade. Gene

Hey Rick,

Would there be any of your buddies playing a Gabb " cajun" king on a video, like You tube or on their website ,with videos if any ?.

I'll be interested to lessen to some sound bites of that box, Merci Richard.

PS: Ooops, i almost got chastized: let me rephrase it Rick" ,a Gabbanelli Cajun King" 1 row, 10 buttons, Diatonic, Bisonoric, 4 reeds, 4 stops Aerophone friggin' box.
Boy, that was close [].

I agree the Hohner 114C would be a better choice, especially if you can find a good condition made in germany one. The current ones are built in china. I have had both a Gabbanelli Cajun King and a 114. I sold the Cajun King very quickly after I purchased my used Louisiana made accordion (a LeCapitaine made by Danny Dyson of Big Lake). It only cost me $200 more than the Cajun King and I could sell it any day for more than I paid for it. LA made boxes hold their value. I had sold the 114, but wish now that I hadn't it is a fun box.

Bohemian, Savoy's instructional video DOES NOT use a Gabanelli "King", he uses a "Crown" which is a high quality Louisiana handmade accordion.

Just saying...

Jon Melancon

I did N O T say Savoy used a Gabb for his instruction manual

I said he used a Hohner
go back and read my post

He used a Hohner HA 114 B and said so in the video.

Next

Recent posts reaffirm that the Gabb is q u i e t

Volume isn't everything but I went back over several months of posts about new accordeons.. and one of the first things any one says about a given box

it's L O U D !!

So while some mmay say it doesn't matter

And to some degree I agree.. but the Gabb is not quiet it is muffled.

The Hohner is louder for a few reasons.. tuning and larger and the type of reed and lighter and faster ..

When you go to upgrade form a Gabb you will then find out very quickly about poor resale
At $700 there is no way I would buy one..
at $450 maybe but

For me Hohner is the way to go....$400-$600 get most if not all your money back and it has been a part of the Cajun tradition for many many years

E-Bay no way not on a Gabb... play one of these before you buy it..

Also try the Regal/Galotta/Weltmeister unit
better than the Gabb
I played one for 2 years...got it in 94ish and sold it to a guy in Virginia who sent it to Jude Moreau for a tuning and I think a spring change..

No matter what you get... It'll get you on the road..

PS I have no problem playing an Ariette.. a couple tweeks and good to go... I'd pay $200 for a decent one

Good info, Bo. What I am not sure of, at least in the importance factor is; resale. I keep every box I get my sweaty little hands on, and to me, upgrading doesn't mean I have to get rid of one. I think there's a misconception amongst many Braves that one should sell their box when they're ready for stage 2.

I've still got my first box -- a black Hohner hotrodded by Charlie Ortego from the late 80's. I still drag that sucker out from time-to-time because it's just... different. I've retired it from gigging many years ago, but I like the musty smell of it and admire the lack of quality and weight because it makes me realize the difference. It's still fun to knock around. It's got all those dings and nicks on it that I put there when I was learning... it's so... fn' sentimental. I couldn't part with it.

R!CK

Rick your old Hohner is like an old bong I pull out of my closet twice a week to sniff tooo. It smells just like it did 20 yrs ago just no smoke now. Lite them if ya have them gents then go play that handmade LA box (Martin of course)

Dang Tom, why didn't you pull that out while I was there? You gotta check them thangs ever once't in a while to make sure they still work properly.

And here I thought you were being hospitable . . .

Ya Jamey right we would have presented a pretty picture to your daughter had we both sniffed on the old bong

Thanks Bohemian. Once again your valuable insight is appreciated. Gene

Well i bought mine about 8 months ago. I think they are way better than the hohners. They aren't too bad to be built out of LA. I think you should get one because they are probably the best thing you can get besides a handmade one from over here. Michael

Next time sign your name Cameron. Your dad

Thanks Michael. I appreciate your feedback. Good to know that Gabb King Cajun works for you. Gene

Okay. I think one could surmise, after reading all the opinions in this thread that; any box less than a handmade or pricey Euro box used for a similar purpose -- would be a compromise to some extent -- Whether that means tweaks, possible quality issues, premature wear and breakage, or lack of resale value. So to be completely happy without question, a handmade box is the ticket. This should be the default answer when this recurring question pops up on this board.

Good luck, Gene!

R!CK

Rick:
Your points are well taken. Based on all the feedback up to this point the concensus appears to be that one cannot beat a custom LA box (new or used). Although a new or well maintained Hohner HA114 (German production) is also a good contender. Looks like the Italian made Gabbenelli placed third.

I'll be keeping my eyes open as of know for one of each but more than likely will go with a German Hohner HA114 as a first box. Unless I stumble accross an opportunity for a LA box (resonably priced)I may also purchase it now and hold on to it. Since I recently retired (disabled combat army vet), I do have the time, but not too much of the $$$$!

Merci,
Gene

Gene -- Thank you VERY much for your military service! I am very grateful for my freedom, thanks to you. [hats off]

R!CK

Rick,

Your welcome. I appreciate the kind words. As a FYI I just purchased a second hand Hohner HA 114 (made in Germany). Looking forward getting started once I receive it. Thanks, Gene

p.s. Please continue to remember and support all our troops currently in harms way!

Congrats on the HA 114

Thanks Bohemian. I am excited about obtaining a HA 114. Regards, Gene

Gene,

I'm sure that during your military US time you've met some of your Canadian military cousins whom have by all accounts bought praise and admiration by your own troup.
They also need to be remembered!.

Claude.

Claude;

Absolutely! Not only do I have praise and respect for my Canadian cousins but also the Aussies,Brits, Korean "ROKS" and all the other coalitions that were with us. This also now applies to all the present day troops who are aligned against the war on terror. Regards, Gene

p.s. Cant's wait to squeeze the Hohner!

Gene after a few months of squeezing that Horny and if you still like playing, purchase a real box a Martin and you will be in the fast lane.

I will guarantee that more good music has been made over the years on Hohners than so called "hand made" accordions

I appreciate the loyalty to brands such as Martin and Savoy but they are no more real than anything else

Real is Hohner, with mitres instead of time and cost cutting unsightly weak butt joints

Professional Irish one row players ( of extremely high skill level) such as Johnny Connolly still play Hohners. And if you ever get the chance to watch Denis Pepin of Quebec... guarantee he will blow your doors off with a lowly HA113 3 stopper...

The reason most folks who own boutique boxes brag them up is because they must to justify the expenditure,
No Hohner player will ever need to do that.

Play away on whatever blows your bellows.

BTW I have a picture of Nathan Abshire playing a Hohner. And lets see who is it that is an ex Pine leaf guy that plays old Hohner 2 rows ?
And Flaco and Flaco's father, Santiago, who started that whole tradition...Hohner.

Here is something I have had bookmarked and Andy linked on abnother box talk...

Another cheap lowly Hohner.. ( albeit a 2 row)
yes yes one must have a "handmade" box in order to play well...no doubt about it...
when this guy gets good maybe he'll move up to a boutique box.. meanwhile.. suffer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyJmddhQwiE

Ha, that Dominican guy can barely play the accordion, that's why he hasn't "upgraded" his Hohner yet!


I've watched that video several times now. Can barely see his fingers move, the video rate wasn't fast enough to capture the movements!
-Andy

Or anyone of the other high quality handmade boxes.

Randy,

I will give the Hohner a try and if all goes well in a few months I will explore other options. Hope to be able to send an updated thread in a few months on my progress or lack of progress. Thanks, Gene

Barbara might have a pledge soaked Mr Acadian for sale but I would leave that alone and look for that special Martin

I PLEDGE to never buy an accordeon, hand made or not, that does not have mitres.

I will learn to play on what I have and not worry about the "peer" pressure from those who believe that elitism creates excellence.

I will not accept substandard workmanship from those who others worship.

I will have fun and revel in knowing that world class musicians create music far beyond my skill level with the same equipment..

All Hail Hohner ! !

I think I'll go on a hunt for another one.
If they are good enough for Claude, they are good enough for me.

Played a 3 row Gabb yesterday, man is that an over rated accordeon.. and the price.. whoa nellie...

Gene

Contact me at this adress and I'll send you a couple CD's with some Hohner 1 row playing

jefe46 at earthlink dot net

Hey Boo Hey Man,

OK, What the hell have I done now? .

I should know before the end of next month whether I can get 2 , yes 2 HA-114
no less in D, yes in D.
I'll let you know, as I wont need 2, get my drift .
Life is wonderfull, ain't!.

KRAZY KANUK.

Hi Bohemian;

You are no doubt a fan of the Hohner (Cajun) accordion. I apreciate the CD offer and will email you. Thanks,Gene

How expinseve are the acordians you shall be useing for this music any ways ? I have a nehbor that has a little one to give to me and wonder if its any count ?