About Quint Free Bass Systems

[FaithD...@eworld.com]

A correction reagarding weight of Quint Free Bass:

Mike Maddux wrote:
> The other simply replicates the first two rows of the Stradelli system,
> two more rows for each octave. I also know that at least some versions
> of the expanded stradelli have a switch that allows you to change back
> and forth between free bass (stradelli type) and straight Stradelli. I
> think this last one produces a pretty heavy instrument.
>

Ted Reichman replied:
>I am currently playing an Excelsior convertor accordion which >switches
between stradella and free-bass in stradella arrangement >(actually I
acquired this instrument through the old squeezebox >mailing list, hi Laurie
and Pierre-Paul). After months of practice and >performance on this
instrument I can tell you a couple of things.

>First of all, it is definitely a heavy instrument.

My comments:
The Quint Free Bass system (which utilizes the same note layout as the
stradella basses) was developed and patented by the Titano Accordion Company
International. The patent covers a single bass mechanism which utilizes the
same reeds and bass buttons for
both Free Bass and Stradella. On a semi-professional model such as the Titano
Virtuoso (four and five sets of hand-finished reeds, 41 piano keys, 120
basses, about 23 lbs.), the weight of the Free
Bass Convertor model is a little over a pound heavier than
that of the same model with stradella only. One can hardly consider
that a "heavy" instrument.

In fact, Quint Convertor Free Bass mechanism which utilize the
Titano patents are generally the lightest free bass/stradella combination
instruments available.

It may be that other brands utilize a different, possibly heavier,
bass mechanism to achieve a Quint-type Free Bass, resulting in the
greater weight mentioned by Ted, but that is due to the particular brand and
not the type of Free Bass.

Other than weight, there are of course many differences between
Free Bass systems and it is not my purpose to discuss that in
this posting. I believe each system has its advantages and
disadvantages, and the choice should be a matter of an accordionist's
personal preference. To afford the musician maximum choice, Titano Accordions
are available with either the Quint Convertor Free Bass or the Chromatic Free
Bass. We are more interested in hearing the music
than in listening to the system.

FaithDeffner

1996 is the Year of the Accordion