Re: What's a decent beginner's accordian? What should I look for?
H and T on Hohner reeds are just stamps on the reed plates. H reeds are generally older and have a reputation for sounding better. In my experience, there's more to reeds than just the stamp. Also, my first box was a Hohner with H reeds and it had a glorious sound FWIW.
I would not hesitate to buy Jeff's HA114, before he changes his mind once again :)
Re: What's a decent beginner's accordian? What should I look for?
Orville Boudreaux
H and T on Hohner reeds are just stamps on the reed plates. H reeds are generally older and have a reputation for sounding better. In my experience, there's more to reeds than just the stamp. Also, my first box was a Hohner with H reeds and it had a glorious sound FWIW.
I would not hesitate to buy Jeff's HA114, before he changes his mind once again :)
Orville,
Thanks for the info on the reeds.
I just got an email from Marc Savoy where he also recommended the HA-114.
Re: What's a decent beginner's accordian? What should I look for?
RYAN<
Most HOHNERS of a certain age suffer from the wrong owners, hack "repairmen", and or improper storage, not from use.
Impossible to find a mint 1950s-60s HA114 because stuff ages and may need attention. Some a little , some a lot.
and this is usually reflected in the price...usually.
I'll check mine out tonight.. see what gives..
Bought it a couple years ago from Paul Groff, noted box historian, player, repairman-tuner of the highest caliber. Have not played it 10 minutes. I paid $500...
IF that is IF I decide to sell it will be $400.
I can take photos and e mail/send electronically.. IF that is IF I decide to sell it.
I'll post later.
This box has no hack modifications or repairs is about 95-99% original with some minor exceptions... and a bit of wear in the right places....
Re: What's a decent beginner's accordian? What should I look for?
Jeff Hildreth
RYAN<
Most HOHNERS of a certain age suffer from the wrong owners, hack "repairmen", and or improper storage, not from use.
Impossible to find a mint 1950s-60s HA114 because stuff ages and may need attention. Some a little , some a lot.
and this is usually reflected in the price...usually.
I'll check mine out tonight.. see what gives..
Bought it a couple years ago from Paul Groff, noted box historian, player, repairman-tuner of the highest caliber. Have not played it 10 minutes. I paid $500...
IF that is IF I decide to sell it will be $400.
I can take photos and e mail/send electronically.. IF that is IF I decide to sell it.
I'll post later.
This box has no hack modifications or repairs is about 95-99% original with some minor exceptions... and a bit of wear in the right places....
Re: What's a decent beginner's accordian? What should I look for?
Keep an eye out on Ebay, Ive bought two HA-114 one for $350 and one for $400 also a HA-114B for $400. I probably wouldnt spend more than $400 though personally.
They can also be retuned dry if you want. My first accordion was HA-114 with hand made finger board and bass box and dry tuned, it makes them much more enjoyable to play. I recently made three finger boards and bass boxes to fit them. I wish I had one "cajunized" as I call them that I could sell you but I dont at the time. I will keep an eye out though for ya!
Re: What's a decent beginner's accordian? What should I look for?
Craig Vincent
Keep an eye out on Ebay, Ive bought two HA-114 one for $350 and one for $400 also a HA-114B for $400. I probably wouldnt spend more than $400 though personally.
They can also be retuned dry if you want. My first accordion was HA-114 with hand made finger board and bass box and dry tuned, it makes them much more enjoyable to play. I recently made three finger boards and bass boxes to fit them. I wish I had one "cajunized" as I call them that I could sell you but I dont at the time. I will keep an eye out though for ya!
Hi Craig,
I am really hoping that Jeff will sell me his so that I would end up with an accordion in decent working condition.
Personally, if I ended up with a older HA-114, I'd just keep it in its original condition.
Re: What's a decent beginner's accordian? What should I look for?
By "Cajunized" do you mean removing the iconic Bohemian/Austrain/Saxon/German spoon bass and removing and replacing possibly the best Bohemian/Austrian Saxon/German action on a one row ever made, hairpin springs.. and replacing them with nailed on coil springs ?
"Personally", I wouldn't spend any amount of money on a E-Bay accordeon.
Quebec accordeon techs have been replacing Bass Boxes on HA series Hohners for at least 40 years...Nothing new. Cajun builders have used Hohners as a base and built around them for decades.. Shine Mouton for one.
My replacement fingerboards have thumb grooves and removable front and rear plates, no thumb straps. No, I no longer make them.
BTW Hohners aren't just for beginners. Many seasoned players and professionals use and have used Hohner one rows.
Re: What's a decent beginner's accordion? What should I look for?
Jeff Hildreth
By "Cajunized" do you mean removing the iconic Bohemian/Austrain/Saxon/German spoon bass and removing and replacing possibly the best Bohemian/Austrian Saxon/German action on a one row ever made, hairpin springs.. and replacing them with nailed on coil springs ?
"Personally", I wouldn't spend any amount of money on a E-Bay accordeon.
Quebec accordeon techs have been replacing Bass Boxes on HA series Hohners for at least 40 years...Nothing new. Cajun builders have used Hohners as a base and built around them for decades.. Shine Mouton for one.
My replacement fingerboards have thumb grooves and removable front and rear plates, no thumb straps. No, I no longer make them.
BTW Hohners aren't just for beginners. Many seasoned players and professionals use and have used Hohner one rows.
Hi Jeff,
Did you happen to get a chance to look over your HA-114? Do you think that you might let it go?
Re: What's a decent beginner's accordion? What should I look for?
The following day my wife and I travelled 1002 miles (by car) to visit Romeo's grand-daughter Bella Rose...
Slightly smaller and a spitting image. Had a great visit, a bit sad but worth the trip.
All of Romeo's Christmas gifts/toys were left with her.
My field is empty without him chasing the ground squirrels, crows and turkeys.
We are going to wait a bit before we consider another dog... hard to fill his paws.