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Planning to purchase an antique accordion? If so, you should make a note of some helpful guidelines to buying an antique accordion. Some of these are discussed in this article.
Carefully Inspect The Carrying Case
Before purchasing an antique accordion, make sure you are able to carefully inspect the condition of the carrying case. Be on the look-out for missing or broken hardware.
Take note of musty smells emanating from the bellows or case, which is indicative of improper storage (a damp basement is really not a good place to store this type of instrument) and care for the instrument. A musty case can also cause damage to the leathers and wood in the instrument’s interior. It can also mean that the reeds are most probably rusted.
Inspect The Instrument’s Body
The term “antique” definitely refers to something old hence there is a probability that a defect is present, unless the item has been properly cared for.
Inspect the antique accordion for possible missing chips (from the corners), scratch marks (indicative of abuse), and cracks in the celluloid to name a few.
Don’t forget to look at the leather straps to determine their condition, especially those that pass through the metal holding brackets (located at the top and bottom of the accordion). In case the straps are worn-out, better remove them before using the accordion to lessen the risk of breaking them while you are wearing the accordion.
Have A Good Look At The Bellows
One thing to look for when buying an antique accordion are signs of wear and tear, particularly on the folds at the base and on the belt buckle (the one facing the accordion player’s chest). Also check the corners of the bellows for those that are missing or are coming loose. All the bellows pins should be present and are not folded or frozen in place due to rust. In a piano accordion, the air release button can be found poking through the bass cover at the left hand side near the top of the instrument when it is held in its playing position. If the air release button is absent in the accordion that you are about to purchase, this is a serious design flaw, and you should reconsider your purchase.
Carefully Examine The Keyboard
Examining the accordion parts means that the keyboard should also be checked, particularly the white keys. Unless the instrument has been very well-cared for, a properly labeled keyboard is not common for an antique accordion. Examine for keys that are not at level because any key irregularity will generally get in the way of the instrument’s performance.
Have A Go At It
It has always been said that playing the instrument is the best way of determining its actual performance. Listen intently for the overall tone, intonation, volume, dynamic range, balance between the right and left sides, and its action. You can also ask another person to play it while you listen intently to the sound.
Tagged with: antique accordion
Filed under: Buying an Accordion