Accordion Info:M.Carli

Subject: Accordian Info:M.Carli
From: Tweed
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 10:18 AM

Got a call from a friend of mine, who was cleaning out an old house and discovered an accordian in a case there. It's called an M.Carli. I did a google for some info on it but came up empty. Any of you squeezebox operators out there hear of this manufacturer? He says it's in perfect condition, with piano keys on one side and an engraved aluminum(?nickel?) plate. Thanks for any light you may be able to shed.

Yerz,
Tweed

Subject: RE: Accordian Info:M.Carli
From: CarolC
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 12:16 PM

I searched too, Tweed, and I didn't find anything either. Are you sure M. Carli is the name of the maker? Sometimes accordion owners have their own names put on their instrument. Is it possible that M. Carli could be the name of a previous owner?

Can you give us more discription of the box? (Or even better, post a picture?)

Accordion brands are a funny thing. I have a box that doesn't have the name of the maker on it. It has nothing on it to identify who the maker was. I bought it from an old Italian accordion player/repairer. He told me that, based on his familiarity with the work of the various accordion factories in Italy, he feels pretty sure mine was made at the Crucianelli factory. Crucianelli was the factory that made the "Pancordion" accordions. Pancordion was one of the most popular brands of accordion in the US during the 1940s and 1950s.

Although I'd love to know for sure where it was made, I guess it doesn't really matter to me too much in the long run, because it's a beautiful accordion, and I love playing it.

Any way, good luck with it, and let us know if you find anything out, ok?

Subject: RE: Accordian Info:M.Carli
From: Tweed
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 02:33 PM

Thanks CarolC, I'll keep hunting. He did tell me that the case measured about 16"x20"x8" deep, so I'm thinking it's not a really big instrument. Heck, if the price was right I'd almost buy it off him and learn to squawk around a little my own self. ;~) The old fellow who lived next door to us was a Swedish immigrant. He was an ancient carpenter who could use a hatchet like we would use a block plane, anyhow he had a couple button accordians and could be coaxed to play now and then for me and my son Jake, (or Yacob as he called him). Very cool old Swedish folky tunes and good to hear coming from over there in the early evening. Thanks for looking Carol, and if you run across anything let me know. I'm gonna try to get some more info to go on.   

Yerz,
Tweed

Subject: RE: Accordian Info:M.Carli
From: CarolC
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 04:06 PM

You can't really tell by looking at an accordion whether or not it's in good shape. Does your friend who found the instrument play the accordion? If not, he may need to take it to a reputable accordion dealer and have it carefully examined before he can place a fair price on it.

My guess is that if it was sitting in that house for very long and not being played or serviced regularly, it's probably not worth much.

I started this thread, Accordion Shopping Adventures a while back as a way of recording some of the things I learned while shopping for an accordion. (Because I tend to forget things ;-)

Subject: RE: Accordion Info:M.Carli
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 12:12 PM

I HAVE JUST GOTTEN A M CARLI ACCORDION SO I GUESS IT IS THE MAKERS NAME , IT LOOKS LIKE AN ITALIAN ACCORDION FROM THE 1930'S AND SMALLER THAN MOST HOPE THIS HELPS THANKS

Subject: RE: Accordion Info:M.Carli
From: CarolC
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 12:20 PM

How does it sound? Is it a piano accordion? How many basses does it have? I'd be interested in seeing a picture if one is available to be posted.

Subject: RE: Accordion Info:M.Carli
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 15 Oct 08 - 11:58 AM

My mom has one that is over 100 yrs old, we are looking to sell it.
Does anyone know the value, instrument works Keys worn but otherwise very very good condition

Subject: RE: Accordion Info:M.Carli
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 16 Oct 08 - 05:31 AM

Anywhere from $5 to maybe a lot more.

Without a proper description, it may be junk or may be ok.

"works" = makes a noise...

"keys worn" = make the instrument worth little, as

1) if 'fixed, then the instrument is no longer totally original, so the collector value is massively reduced.

2) to attempt to 'refurbish to original condition' will be expensive

"otherwise very very good condition" = they all say that - just like all the prisoners in jail are innocent.... :-)

If provided with an excellent documented provenance that can be proved and it is a very rare unusual example, it may be valuable.

Those made '100 years ago' are not particularly valuable as a playing machine, as the acme (golden age) of the instrument was after the 30's - peaking in the 1960s, when the quality of the machines was at their peak.

Subject: RE: Accordion Info:M.Carli
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 16 Oct 08 - 05:38 AM

Ooops - without a name, and at least a guess of country of manufacture, no guess can be made. A list of how many keys, buttons, reed switches would also be a minimum set of info - a few close up pictures would be a great help too. If it has been sitting for decades unplayed, it may seem like it works but may need a lot of work, especially if it has been stored wrongly, on its side, not its feet, or in a too dry, hot, or cold, or moist place. Reeds may be rusty, etc.

Subject: RE: Accordion Info:M.Carli
From: GUEST,Viviana Duncan
Date: 27 Mar 10 - 02:52 PM

My dad has an old M. Carli accordion that we are trying to find the value of it as well. It has some pearl looking stuff on it that looks like abalone. It's really old. I can be reached by email at [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Accordion Info:M.Carli
From: GUEST,I
Date: 11 Dec 10 - 10:41 PM

I am Selling an M. Carli accordion it is a two row button accordian has a front cover that comes off ,on top on the other end it has 2 rows of four buttons. does anyone knoe the name and price ? [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Accordion Info:M.Carli
From: GUEST,DAVID B.
Date: 16 Sep 11 - 06:16 PM

I HAVE A M. CARLI ACCORDION THAT HAS NOT BEEN PLAYED A WHILE. IT HAS 12 ROWS OF FOUR BOTTONS AND 20 PIANO KEYS. ALL KEYS PLAY AND SO DO ALL BUTTONS.
THE OUTSIDE IS COVERED WITH METAL VENEER WHICH LOOKS LIKE MARBLE DESIGN. VERY ATTRACTIVE AND THE ORGINAL LEATHER STRAPS ARE WELL WORN BUT STILL USABLE. CASE IS IN POOR SHAPE BUT INSIDE IS COVERED WITH VALOUR. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE AGE AND VALUE IF POSSIBLE WITH SUCH INFORMATION. I KOW THIS IS ASKING A LOT,
BUT THANKS A LOT ANYWAY
DAVID B

Subject: RE: Accordion Info:M.Carli
From: GUEST,sally, guest
Date: 17 Jun 18 - 02:37 AM

MY SON HAS A GERMAN MADE ACCORDIAN ( BUTTON)? IT HAS BEAUTIFUL PEARLY SCROLLING, THE ENTIRE ACCORDIAN IS ALSO OF ASOFT, PEARLY YELLOW.12 BUTTONS , 15 IVORYS ( ONE MISSING) AND 10 UPPER KEYS.SEEMS TO WORK FINE THO THE LEATHER STRAPPING HAS BROKEN IN ONE PLACE.BEVELS ARE IN GREAT SHAPE AS IS THE CASE. IM' INTERESTED IN VALUE AND POSSIBLE RESTORATION. MY 28 TR OLD SON PLACE IT WELL. CAN i SEND A PHOTO? THANKS

Subject: RE: Accordion Info:M.Carli
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jan 19 - 10:27 AM

M. Carli accordion made in Italy or Germany?

Subject: RE: Accordion Info:M.Carli
From: GUEST,Bradshaw
Date: 30 May 22 - 12:02 PM

Found a M. Carli Accordion that says made in Germany. Has the #’s 12917 on the back. Not sure what it’s worth. Would love some info. Please Email me any info you can give me at [e-mail].