Foolestroupe/Robin, as to wanting to look at more than just my instrument, I don't have a digital camera and it's too cold here anyw...OH, NOW I get it! You meant whatever instrument.

On the subject of materials, I found a web page somewhere that made reference to the pre-plastic plastic-like stuff. It's like some sort of laminated material. If I can find the web page, I'll provide a link. It's a big sucker. My friend has a 120 bass accordion that's much smaller than this one, but her piano keys may be narrower. I'm average height and if I sit with it on my lap and my knees level with my hips, the top of it comes to my nose.

I hadn't figured that thing about the II and VII chords - thanks. You drop these little pearls, and to someone who has to pearls at all, they're a real find.