Good-quality Cajun squeezebox?

Subject: weltmeister cajun
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Nov 11 - 08:07 AM

Subject: RE: Good-quality Cajun squeezebox?
From: Suzy T.
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 12:36 PM

Buying a Cajun accordion off of eBay -- bad idea, unless it is a Savoy (or one of the other top makers) AND you can see from the photos that it is not too banged up AND there is a return policy. The only way to know whether an accordion is any good is to play it. The mechanism is inside -- there's lots of stuff that can break, including reeds -- bellows can be leaky, etc.

I don't know what the new Chinese ones are like but the Chinese-made one I bought (from Marc Savoy!) about 15 years ago was barely playable. I had to fix all kinds of things and finally got fed up, sold it and bought a hand-made one from Marc which I have been happily playing ever since.

Another person who is making really good accordions these days is Ed Poullard (brother of Danny) who lives in Beaumont, Texas. I have played a few of his and they are very good, if I ever order another one I'd order it from him. He has a "Myspace" page:http://www.myspace.com/poullardaccordions

I can't see how to contact him but I bet he's listed in the phone book.

Super nice guy and a GREAT musician on both accordion and fiddle.
Good luck,
Suzy T.

Subject: RE: Good-quality Cajun squeezebox?
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 11:12 AM

cajun stuff with an Italian accent... mama mia cha, eh twa..
gators and pasta

Subject: RE: Good-quality Cajun squeezebox?
From: Dead Horse
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 10:58 AM

Does it play nice Italian tunes, Bankley? :-)

Subject: RE: Good-quality Cajun squeezebox?
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 07:37 AM

I picked up an old Tivoli in good shape a few years back for $50 from an old guy who had a houseful of various instruments... I got lucky

Subject: RE: Good-quality Cajun squeezebox?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 07:41 AM

You mean "detune" not "retune" don't you?

Subject: RE: Good-quality Cajun squeezebox?
From: Dead Horse
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 07:26 AM

FolkGiant, try the local La pawn shops. Thats where I got my Bon Ton & it was the best purchase I ever made.
If you get anything not made in La you will be kicking yourself for the rest of your life. lol

Subject: RE: Good-quality Cajun squeezebox?
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 08:25 PM

Probably your best bet for the proper Cajun sound. European and presumably Chinese copy instruments have the reeds set up differently. I have heard various makes played in British "Cajun" bands, the only ones that sounded right were playing imported Louisiana instruments. I think it is possible to adapt Hohner pokerwork models to get close, but would involve almost complete rebuild and retune.

Ross

Subject: RE: Good-quality Cajun squeezebox?
From: FolkGiant
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 08:05 PM

I almost bought a 'box while in New Orleans 11 years ago. I'm going back soon... might be time to throw down some cash.

Subject: RE: Good-quality Cajun squeezebox?
From: Dead Horse
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 11:39 AM

If you are even considering buying a Hohner Ariette (Chinese junk, more like) or an Italian imitation Cajun box, then you should have a clone delete the word "Quality" from your thread title.
If you are in the States, it has to have Louisiana Made written on the side. If in Europe, the cost would be too prohibitive and you would have to settle for cheap imitations until you either gave up or took it more seriously - then buy a Martin or Acadian or similar.
Also, a decent LA made box holds its value, whereas you would have a hard time giving away an Ariette.

Subject: RE: Good-quality Cajun squeezebox?
From: GUEST,bazparkes
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 08:35 AM

I don't know what your price range is, or what key you want, but if you take a trip over to www.melodeon.net and take a look at buy and sell, there's three very nice examples there. I tried a couple of Ariettes, and my impression was after a couple of months hard work, you might end up with two halves of an accordeon. On the other hand, I know people who are very pleased with theirs. Depends, like Toyotas, on the individual model I suppose:-)

Baz

Subject: RE: Good-quality Cajun squeezebox?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 03:43 PM

The "Big Three"
Marc Savoy; http://www.savoymusiccenter.com
Bon Cajun; http://www.boncajunaccordions.com/index.html
Martin; http://www.martinaccordions.com/index.htm

Subject: RE: Good-quality Cajun squeezebox?
From: melodeonboy
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 03:34 PM

There are always cheap new cajun boxes advertised on e-bay. I've never bought one, but I'm suspicious of them. My guess is that they've been imported in significant numbers from China. I'd also guess (and it is only a guess) that you could be buying a pile of junk. I know someone that bought one, and said that the bellows were only half-size, so it was hardly playable!

I think the Ariette is also Chinese-made, but I think you'd be safer with a Hohner, even if it's bottom of the range. I've played one and it certainly seemed reasonable for the price.

Once you're fairly proficient, you may want to contact one of the Louisiana accordion makers (but you might need deep pockets!).

Subject: Good-quality Cajun squeezebox?
From: FolkGiant
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 03:17 PM

Any suggestions? I have seen some by Bonetti on greedBay for $199 with free shipping. Is the Hohner Ariette any better?

I have some dough to spend, but I'd like to marry a lower price with a good, gig-worthy instrument. I don't want to spend a ton yet, because I can't play well. I do understand that a better (more expensive) quality one will play and sound better, but I don't want investment-grade, either.

Have I mentioned lately that Joe Offer and all y'all just rock? This place is great!

FG