Hohner accordion; what's it worth?

Subject: RE: Hohner accordion; what's it worth?
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Oct 10 - 02:27 AM

Play the lady:
Two different songs
For two different weeks.

Well hell Greg, that should be easy. Most accordions can only play two songs. One is "Lady of Spain" and the other one isn't.


Spaw

Subject: RE: Hohner accordion; what's it worth?
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 10:02 PM

Play the lady:
Two different songs
For two different weeks.

Since she wants nothing - but YOU expect to pay.

Both of you will leave the barter enriched beyond bulging purses.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

The soon to be Ann Landers/Dear Abby of Mudcat.

Subject: value of a hundred yr old hohner accordion
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 12:14 PM

Subject: RE: Hohner accordion; what's it worth?
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 03 Apr 08 - 11:39 AM

That's good luck, mandotim!
Lin's recommendation seems to be the soundest of all, especially the "good home".

This reminds me of the Spanish guitar, about 100 years old, I got from a good friend of my grandmother, because she preferred the piano, and the balalaika from a carpenter who lost three fingers in a saw. Thea both were glad that their instruments found a new home where they are appreciated and played.

The Carena 2 isn't produced anymore by Hohner (the best German firm); their 120 bass instruments are ranging now from EUR 1200,- on (that's a fistful of dollars more)to several thousands more. Considering the age of the instrument $ 500,- should be a fair price.

My accordion days with selling old ones and buying new ones for my musical training are over since 50 years, so I can't give you more contemporary informations.

Grab it, play and enjoy!

Subject: RE: Hohner accordion; what's it worth?
From: Captain Ginger
Date: 03 Apr 08 - 11:08 AM

The esteemed Allodi's in Lewisham have an online catalogue of secondhand accordions if you want to compare. They can also fettle an old one, but warn that it's expensive and the waiting list is around a year!

Subject: RE: Hohner accordion; what's it worth?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 03 Apr 08 - 09:12 AM

"Bellows problems - "Monkey Grip Duct Tape""

This is NOT RECOMMENDED... if you need to ASK what to use, you should think seriously about messing around - pay someone competent to do it! The claim was definitely right though - use that stuff AND YOU WILL HAVE PROBELMS WITH THE BELLOWS... of course some ignorant fool may have messed about - like the guy who used the glue he had at hand and paper on the bellows, to find that ants had eaten it... saw the unplayable result...


"Corrosion on brass reeds - clean with inegar/salt/vinegar/water/WD40."

DO NOT PUT ANY CORROSIVE SUBSTANCE NEAR ANY REED - BRASS OR STEEL! And Piano accordions less than 100 years old will ALL have Steel reeds anyway... if it DID have brass ones, they would probably have been replaced 'for beter tone quality'...



"Bee's Wax reeds "Monkey Grip Glue" " - this means that the 'advisor' is an idiot!

ONLY WAX has ever been used for reed fixment! Except on cheap throwaway toys...

Sadly you MUST ignore ANY of this 'advice'... you will destroy your instrument if you listen!

Multi-instrumentalist - including P/A & Concertina....

Subject: RE: Hohner accordion; what's it worth?
From: mandotim
Date: 03 Apr 08 - 01:37 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions, particularly about repair methods. As it stands, the accordion is in excellent shape, and has been well maintained over the years. I'm going to do a combination of things; pay an amount in cash, and do some weekend grocery shopping for the lady in question for a while. (Actually, my accordion playing younger daughter is going to do the shopping, in return for a new instrument!)
Thanks again
Tim

Subject: RE: Hohner accordion; what's it worth?
From: Rowan
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 11:26 PM

Bee's Wax reeds "Monkey Grip Glue" (caveat emptor - temporarily fix with wax for tuning for positioning)

The truism for repairing instruments is "never do anything that cannot be easily reversed". Glue is a "No No!" on reed blocks where wax is already in use; the wax would prevent the glue from properly adhering anyway.

Beeswax is the method used by almost all accordion makers because it's easy, cheap, effective in the first place and easily repaired should you wish to remove the reed frames from the reed blocks; all you need do is slide a warmed (only hot enough to melt the wax) blunt blade into the wax bead while applying slight lifting action to the reed frame. Reseating it is just the reverse of this and you may need a smidgeon of extra wax on the blade to make a good bead when resealing the frame.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: Hohner accordion; what's it worth?
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 10:36 PM

The "price is right" FREE!!

You are accepting a "problem child" into a nurturing home.

Bellows problems - "Monkey Grip Duct Tape"

Bee's Wax reeds "Monkey Grip Glue" (caveat emptor - temporarily fix with wax for tuning for positioning)

Corrosion on brass reeds - clean with vinegar/salt/vinegar/water/WD40.

Enjoy!!!

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Hohner accordion; what's it worth?
From: Greg B
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 10:30 PM

Or, rather, I meant

Interesting--- I'm in the Chalfont area (Bucks, PA, USA)...

Subject: RE: Hohner accordion; what's it worth?
From: Greg B
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 10:29 PM

Interesting--- I'm in the Chalfont area (Bucks, PA, UK)...

Subject: RE: Hohner accordion; what's it worth?
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 06:33 PM

Where do you live? If you are in the Chalfont area (Bucks, UK) there is a very good, and cheap, repairer there.

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Hohner accordion; what's it worth?
From: Rowan
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 05:21 PM

A common problem is that the reeds are set with bees wax which deteriorates over time. Fixing this is very labor intensive. A couple of the shops told us that in an accordion 40-50 years old this job can cost more than the instrument is worth.

But, with a bit of time and a warmed table knife (blunt blade) anyone with a reasonably steady hand can seal the waxlines.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: Hohner accordion; what's it worth?
From: CarolC
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 02:49 PM

You could have it looked at and see what some instrument dealers think it's worth.

Subject: RE: Hohner accordion; what's it worth?
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 01:32 PM

Mandotim, barter is alive and well. If she doesn't play the instrument, she's likely just wanting it to have a "good home," or perhaps she's joined the wave of de-cluttering that Spring seems to create.

Maybe she would be thrilled to accept having her lawn mowed in return, or some other handyman chore you'd be willing to do for her. If not, IMHO, say thanks, take the accordian and have fun!

Lin

Subject: RE: Hohner accordion; what's it worth?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 12:10 PM

Tim,

If that's the case - perhaps use it as an apiary?

Subject: RE: Hohner accordion; what's it worth?
From: GUEST,Jack the Sailor
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 12:05 PM

Carol and I went accordion shopping a few years ago. A common problem is that the reeds are set with bees wax which deteriorates over time. Fixing this is very labor intensive. A couple of the shops told us that in an accordion 40-50 years old this job can cost more than the instrument is worth.

Subject: RE: Hohner accordion; what's it worth?
From: the button
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 06:17 AM

They seem to go for around £100 on EBay. Hobgoblin had one recently for £180.

If she really really won't take any money, you could always have it on long-term loan, and make it clear that the instrument's still hers if she ever wants it back.

Subject: Hohner accordion; what's it worth?
From: mandotim
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 05:16 AM

Hi all; I've been offered an old Hohner Carena 2 piano accordion by a neighbour. She doesn't want anything for it, but I feel uncomfortable just taking it, and I'd like to pay her a fair price. The accordion works perfectly, sounds great and is in virtually mint condition, with a hard case. I think it dates from the 50's or 60's, and is the large 120 bass model. Any ideas about value in today's market?
Tim