REPAIR SERVICES
REED WORK / TUNING
Reed work including waxing, leathers, and tuning
BELLOWS
ACTION
Repair of metal corners, gussets, and tape
Rebuilding of treble and bass action and mechanisms including free bass
ABOUT ME AND MY
SHOPPE
It seems I've always had a wrench from a very early age, starting on old Italian cars before I could drive.
Then I fell in love with accordions after seeing an old Italian film. I then found myself in Duluth putting my love of repair and accordions together and attended the Accordion Repair and Technicians School under the direction of Dr Helmi Harrington, graduating in 95'.
Fast forward to 99' and I found NE Mpls and the historic Thorpe Building. On a whim, my sister and I rented a studio there to make art. Life happened, and before long the art studio became the accordion repair shop. I've been there ever since, repairing accordions for clients locally and all across the country, giving lessons, and performing myself at weddings, birthdays, puppet shows, and other events for over 20 years.
Please let me know if I can help you.
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I'll be performing Friday November 28th from 6pm to about 8pm at Akis Bakery and Wine Bar at 1712 NE Marshal Street in NE Mpls
I'll have my repair shop open for the Thorp Building Holiday Open House on Saturday December 7th from noon to 8pm and Sunday from noon to 2:30pm. Come on over to see how accordions work and see what I do.
I will be strolling thru the lovely Black Forest Inn on Nicollet ave just south of downtown Mpls for three Friday evenings in December. On the 6th, 13th, and 20th from 5:30 to 8pm.
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Public Performances
ACCORDIONS FOR SALE
I have refurbished all accordions and concertinas listed. All are guaranteed for 2 years and come with quality straps and a hard case.
Note there is a restocking fee of 20% for returns.
Hohner Camilo I LMM $1,500
Here is a lovely accordion made by Hohner in Germany. It is a midsize 120 bass accordion with a 17" keyboard. It is a 3/4 reed accordion in a very useful LMM configuration. It has the unusual construction of have a body made out of aluminum, rather than the traditional wood. This makes it lightweight and brightens up the sound. I've done extensive work on this one to make it function as it should. I've included various photos of it apart to show what I've done. I've re-waxed all the reeds and replaced leathers as needed. I rebuilt both the treble and bass action, replacing all padding, and adjusting perfectly. I then retuned the accordion to A440 with the sharp middle bank set to 20 cents sharp at the bottom of the range, progressively to 12 cents on the highest notes for a fairly wet tuning. The accordion does have a dent from a previous owner. It does not effect the playability, or sound at all, but I've reduced the price from what it would be to reflect this.
It is a great sounding and playing accordion in a lightweight, easy to handle package, at a great price.
Serena 12 bass LM $725-SOLD
This is a very nice gently used Italian made 12 bass. It has a LM or low middle reed arrangement. It's unusually well made internally for a 12 bass. Work I've done includes disassembly and cleaning. I then replaced all reed wax and reed leathers as needed. I then retuned it to A442. Plays very well with smooth, quiet action and nice reeds and it's so pretty..
Titano Standard LMM $2,500
Here I have a beautiful and very clean Titano Standard. These models are mechanically very similar to the Titano Grand line, but in a LMM reed configuration. They have very nice hand finished reeds and the Titano split blocks that counteracts any tendency for warpage in the blocks. The keybaord size on this example is 18 5/8". It's very close to what's considered a full size keyboard.
I've done extensive work refurbishing this accordion. I disassembled and cleaned the bass machine, and the treble action. I replaced all treble pads with new and the attachment wax. It has a very fast, smooth, and quiet action. I rewaxed all the reeds and replaced the leathers as needed. I then retuned the accordion to A442 with the sharp middle tuned on the dry side. I tuned that reed set from about 5 cents sharp on the bottom end progressively to 4 cents sharp at the top of the range. The result is a lovely and subtle swing tuning.
Cajun style Hohner key of C $650
Get your Cajun music dreams started! Here is a nice starter Cajun one row. Tuned at A440. It is a LMMH reed arrangement. I replaced the reed wax with new and sorted a few minor issues. Plays really well. Nice action, decent reeds and excellent bellows compression.
Italian 2 row Anglo-Hex Concertina $375
Here is a very sweet looking and sounding 2 row Concertina in the keys of G/C. In refurbishing this instrument I removed all the reeds and replaced all the wax and leather valves with new, using better than 2 row standard Italian reed valves and boosters. I rebuilt the action with new rubber bushings, replaced the bellows gaskets, and I tuned it to A441.This does not come with a case. It does come with my standard 2 year warranty however.
Stop on by to try it out!
Enrico Roselli LMM $1,900-SOLD
This is an Italian made accordion from the 60s I'd say. It has smaller keyboard at 17 1/2". It has 3 reed sets in the right hand and 5 sets in the left in a LMM configuration. I've done extensive work on this instrument, including replacing the bellows with a new custom made Italian unit and replacing the bellows gaskets. Other work I've done includes a full rewax of all reeds and reed leathers as needed. I've rebuilt both the treble and bass action with new pallet padding and attachment wax. It has a new bass strap. I then retuned it to an accordion standard A442. The extra middle set of reeds was tuned flat of A442 from the factory rather than the more common sharp. I went with this while retuning. So the flat middle set is tuned to a very modest vibrato at 11 cents flat at the bottom of the range, progressively to 5 cents flat on the highest note. It is a very sweet sounding accordion. Stop by to try it out!
Titano Stroller LMH $2,900
Here is professional quality Titano Standard. It is a LMH reed configuration with a mid sized 17 3/4" keyboard. It features hand made reeds and the Titano split blocks for long term stability. It has a excellent action, powerful responsive reeds, and great balance. The work I've done includes rewaxing all reeds and releathering reeds as needed. I then went over the tuning and set it at A442. The keyboard action has also has been disassembled and cleaned and a new back pad installed. The name says it all. This instrument is a solid well built partner for the strolling accordionist who needs a responsive instrument to capture all the subtlety you instill in your music.
Baldoni 48 bass MM $2,200
Here is a beautiful looking and playing Baldoni 48 bass Combo 1 model. It is a recently made Italian accordion. Nice action and reeds in a very lightweight package. I disassembled the treble action, cleaned, and leveled the keys. I rewaxed all the reeds and replaced the leathers that needed replacement. I then tuned it to A440 with the sharp middle set at 22 cents sharp at the bottom of the range progressively to 16 cents at the top.
Castiglione Classic 96 bass LMMM $5,300
I have a beautiful Italian made Castiglione 96 bass accordion for sale. Built in 99'. It has wonderful hand made reeds, and a tone chamber on the treble side where the bassoon and dry clarinet banks reside. This instrument also has an L shaped left hand bass block to add resonance to the bass reeds. It has a factory installed sennheiser microphone system.
Work I've done includes rewaxing the reeds and replacing the leather valves that needed replacement. I disassembled the keyboard, cleaned, leveled the keys. I then went over the tuning. It is set at A442 with a very wet traditional French musette tuning. The dry middle is on pitch while the flat middle ranges from 24 cents at the bottom progressively to 9 cents flat at the top, while the sharp bank ranges from 26 cents sharp at the bottom to 12 cents sharp at the top of the range. If you're looking for a real French musette sound, this is it!
Morbidoni Midget LM $1,700
Here we have a lovely and very clean Morbidoni Midget 120 bass. It was made in the 60s I'd say. It was made in Italy by the Morbidoni company. These are always a pleasure to refurbish as even their entry level accordions were built with pride, care, and a remarkable attention to detail. I rewaxed all the reeds of this instrument and the reed leathers as needed, cleaned the action, and tuned it to A442.
This one has a smaller keyboard size. Perfect for people of smaller builds and those looking for a lightweight accordion, but without sacrificing the range of notes. It has lovely little hand riveted reeds, excellent action, and is a very balanced little accordion. It plays beautifully. Come on by to try it out.
Universal 19 1/4" 3/5 reed LMH $2,900
Here is a lovely and very classy Universal accordion. It is from the 60s I'd estimate, It is beautifully crafted of the finest woods and has powerful and responsive hand finished reeds. It also features a beautifully crafted and very effective grill mute to expand the tonal options. It has a full size 19 1/4" keyboard. Felted bass buttons and padded action pipes make for a quiet bass machine so as not to distract from the sound of those lovely reeds. Work I've done includes rewaxing of all reeds and leathers as needed. I also rebuilt the treble action with all new padding and attachment wax. The action is fast and quiet. I then went over the tuning and set it to A442. It's a beautifully playing accordion with quiet action combined with powerful, but balanced, and sensitive reeds. Plus the grill mute that works so well it's like having a tone chamber that one can switch in and out of at will. Come on over and give it a try..
FIND ME
HOURS:
By appointment only - please call.