Excelsiola info and history

[Barry B. Bean]

In reading back through old posts (www.dejanews.com), I've run across
statements that Excelsiola was:

1) The ladies accordion model of Excelsior
2) The semi-pro line from Excelsior
and:
3) The top of the line from Excelsior.

I recently bought an old (serial # 8088) US Made Excelsiola 720, and
I'd love to get more information on the company, their instruments,
and their history. If anyone could accurately date the instrument
based on the serial number or features, I'd be grateful.

TIA,

BBB
-
B.B. Bean - Have horn, will travel bbb...@beancotton.com
Peach Orchard, MO http://www.beancotton.com/bbbean.shtml

[AcrdionMan]

Barry B. Bean wrote:

<< In reading back through old posts (www.dejanews.com), I've run across
statements that Excelsiola was:

1) The ladies accordion model of Excelsior
2) The semi-pro line from Excelsior
and:
3) The top of the line from Excelsior.

I recently bought an old (serial # 8088) US Made Excelsiola 720, and
I'd love to get more information on the company, their instruments,
and their history. >>

The reason you've read so many different explanations about Excelsiola is that
the Excelsiola name was used in different ways at different times by the
Excelsior accordion company. Back in the '40's, there were two versions of
rocker boxes, the Excelsior "Multi-grand" a.k.a. "OO" and there was the
"Excelsiola". Of the rocker boxes, the Excelsiola was the better accordion.
It was used by many pro accordionists. However, during approximately the same
time frame, you could also purchase a Excelsior Symphony Grand which was the
most expensive accordion sold by Excelsior at the time.

Later the Excelsiola name was used for models of different grades.

To further confuse things, there was the Accordianna line. This was the lower
priced line of accordions offered by Excelsior. The Accordianna accordions
were imported from Italy, while the Excelsiors were built in the USA up until
the '50's.

Alan Polivka

[Barry B. Bean]

On Fri, 26 Dec 1997 22:35:01 -0500, SNAV88 wrote:

>Your serial number places the instrument in one of two years depending on the
>month it was made.................. 1945 or 1946. I have one purchased in
>1946 with a serial number a little higher.

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize it was that old. Its still a
youngster compared to most of my saxophones (with one exception I
play Conns and Bueschers from the 20s and 30s)

FWIW - this list is turning out to be a great resource for a
squeezebox newbie. Thanks!