Japanese Accordions?

Subject: Japanese Accordions?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 25 Nov 05 - 07:01 PM

Skipjack K8 mentioned this here. Any further info please?

Subject: RE: Japanese Accordions?
From: masato sakurai
Date: 25 Nov 05 - 08:05 PM

YAMAHA originally is a musical instrument maker. See their accordinons here.

Subject: RE: Japanese Accordions?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 25 Nov 05 - 08:33 PM

Very good - they seem to be mainly small ones too - but I don't speak the language, and I couldn't find an English page. Also I am in Australia, anyone know who here may have them?

I have seen some Chinese ones here, but the finish quality is so poor that I would have to get out the tools and do some work, and THAT's saying something. The Chinese ones don't sound too bad though.

Robin

Subject: RE: Japanese Accordions?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 26 Nov 05 - 07:19 PM

Can anybody assist me in telling if Yamaha Accordions are imported into Australia, especially Queensland?

Subject: RE: Japanese Accordions?
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 26 Nov 05 - 07:45 PM

G'day Robin,

I've never seen their accordions ... and I think it's significant that their English language site won't even turn up accordions in a site search. That would suggest that they only sell within Japan, or Asia ... unless they re-brand for large resellers.

Incidentally, I looked at the latest offerings from the US Lark in the Morning group - particularly their bargain 48-bass and 72-bass models. They look very like the Yamahas - but so would any other generic piano accordion clad in red "mother of toilet seat"!

I also noticed that the Yamaha site had several accordions with, apparently, no Stradella bass end. That suggests they are specialised bass (or specifically-voiced) models for band/orchestra playing. Maybe ... in Japan ... we have, forming up, a "Yamaha Accordion Method/School" to match the "Suzuki Violin Method/School"!

Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: Japanese Accordions?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 06:46 AM

V_e_r_y    I_n_t_e_r_e_s_t_i_n_g!!!!

BTW, I have seen images on TV, some dating back to WWII documentaries, and recently on a segment of a film shown on TV (have no idea what it was!) about accordions with Piano keyboards, and 'button box button bass layouts' on the left side, i.e. about 8 or 12 large buttons.

Robin

Subject: RE: Japanese Accordions?
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 11:55 AM

Thanks for starting this, Robin, and many thanks for that useful link, Masato. Can I call on you once again to get a price list for the accordions shown on the link, especially the one with the most bass buttons? I'm ashamed to admit my Japanese is poor to non existent!

I'd also like to know how they have been received by players in Japan

All the best
Greg

Subject: RE: Japanese Accordions?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 06:19 PM

Bob Bolton

Most of the cheapies around are Chinese. The generic "Hero" definitely is. I have one of the tiny 2 reeder 8 bass jobs and it can do some amazing stuff. Has a bit of a slightly muffled sound though, not surprising for such a small thing.

I fitted real brackets and straps to lock it down and make it confortable to wear, and that makes it much more playable too. It is destined for a certain 8 year old girl to borrow next year, if she shows sufficient interest.

Robin

Subject: RE: Japanese Accordions?
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 07:32 PM

Well of the "motorbike manufacturers", it seems on can get a Suzuki melodian. They look to be what I call melodicas though.

I'm not sure how much of eirther of their stuff would still be Japanese though. The Yamaha Guitar I had in the 80s was made in Tiawan (I think) and my PSR 290 keyboard is marked as made in China, etc. and badge engineering goes on all over the world. My wild guess completely spur of the moment guess is the Yamaha's are Parrots.

Subject: RE: Japanese Accordions?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 07:42 PM

I managed to acquire one of those Suzukis a while ago. Now looking for the tube (mouthpiece). I saw on TV a British group of buskers with the accordion player using a melodian stuck to the front of the squeezebox. Gave a contrasting sound which worked well.

Subject: RE: Japanese Accordions?
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 08:20 AM

Let us lift up our thread to the top

Calling Masato, any news on those Yams?

Guest, a Parrot is what I fear, but I can't believe that Yamaha would put their name on one.

Subject: RE: Japanese Accordions?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 08:35 AM

The Chinese Accordions I have seen imported into Brisbane bear the name 'Aidi' (or is it 'Aida'). The feet fixings fell off one i picked up, and all had the little studs that hold on the bellows not fully seated - the holes were too shallow, so that you would catch on everything.

Subject: RE: Japanese Accordions?
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 11:25 AM

Sorry I missed my name before Greg. I can't work these things but was under the impression that Parrots were not "Rolls Royces" but acceptable - I can only think of one owner I knew and I got the feeling from him it was on a par with a Galotta (which I'm told are "lower ended" price wise), a make/box I've known several people play well.

Subject: RE: Japanese Accordions?
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 03:04 PM

Yo Jon! I dunno, I guess I find the Galotta/Czech sound too martial, and I have a congenital dislike for the Parrot, as I witnessed someone using one to make more enemies for the accordion. I accept that an economy instrument in a good player's hands is usually a joy to hear.

Subject: RE: Japanese Accordions?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 07:28 PM

"I witnessed someone using one to make more enemies for the accordion"

Now that's a quote!!! ROFLMAO!

Subject: RE: Japanese Accordions?
From: Les from Hull
Date: 30 Nov 05 - 09:59 AM

Although I rode Yamaha motorbikes, I'm converting to Suzuki harmonicas, which are absolutely spiffing!

Subject: Yamaha Accordions
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 09:46 PM

Our mate Masato floated the tantalising prospect of Yamaha Accordions . Are these instruments made in China under Yamaha license, or are they pukka in-house manufacture?

Subject: RE: Japanese Accordions?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 08:17 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Yamaha Accordions
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 09:27 AM

I did some looking, and all I could find in english are various MIDI accordions, with Yamaha Midi modules in them. What there is in languages I can't read, I don't know.

Subject: RE: Japanese Accordions?
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jun 07 - 01:59 AM