Cajun Box Builders? - here's an old list I put together
Kirk Walker
listings at this point.
I own a Shine Mouton (Mouton brand) but he is now deceased and I own a Jude
Moreau ("BonTemps" brand accordion) and it is a fine instrument. A friend
of mine just aquired a Leland Colligan ("Acadiana" brand accordion) and he
thinks it is the best musically he has ever played, simple in styling but
loud and clear. I have also played Martins and Savoys and Miller's and they
are all fine. The price estimates next to some of these are old but most
builders are in the 900 - 1400 range. Many are small time builders and may
have a wait of 3months or more.
Good Luck
____________________________________________________
August, 1996 -Kirk Walker
This is a list of makers of Cajun Instruments compiled from various
sources as noted, including dates of sources.
(* Indicates makers I have talked with and I added the approximate
prices in US dollars for those which I had some information in the
last year.)
****The following is exerpted from the Accordion.FAQ*****
**(This is a file on the internet FAQ=Frequently Asked Questions.
I don't know the age of these references from this file.)**
The only kind of accordions that are actually manufactured in the USA
are Cajun style accordions. Here are some of these accordion builders:
* Moisey Baudoin ("Vermillion" brand accordions) $800-$900
510 E. Putman
Erath, LA 70533
(318) 937-6454
John Elton Doucet ("Cajun" brand accordions)
Rt. 4 Box 400 (1503 Charlene Hwy)
Church Point, LA 70525
(318) 684-6495
Andrew Jagneaux ("Cajun R oots" brand accordions)
Rt. 3 Box 10B
Church Point, LA 70525
(318) 684-2672
Alvin Leger ("Leger" brand accordions)
7912 Lognion Rd.
Bell City, LA 70630
(318) 622-3492
* Junior Martin ("Martin" brand accordions) $1000-$1400
2143 W. Willow St.
Scott, LA 70583
(318) 232-4001
* Larry G. Miller ("Bon Tee Cajun" brand accordions) approx $900
886 McMillan
Iota, LA 70543
(318) 779-2456
(318) 779-3080 fax
Laten T. Miller ("Cajun Classic" brand accordions)
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(318) 478-4154
* Marc Savoy ("Acadian" brand accordions) $950-$1400
PO Box 941
Eunice, LA 70535
(318) 457-9563
(318) 546-6100 fax
*****End of accordion.faq ***********************************
*****Also from word of mouth .....**********
* Randy Falcon ("Falcon" brand accordion) approx. $950
227 Norris Stuttes Rd.
Duson, LA 70529
(318) 981-3431
* Lawrence "Shine" Mouton ("Mouton" brand accordion) approx $950
Box 219
Crowley, LA 70526
(318) 783-2246
* Jude Moreau ("BonTemps" brand accordion) approx $850
3749 Beech
Port Arthur, TX 77642
(409) 963-0135
Most of these guys use #1 Handmade reeds (but ask) and various
exotic hardwoods, stained maple or the old traditional black
laquer style of boxes. Most of these prices do not include strap
or case but you can ask.
Larry G. Miller makes a nice anvil-type flight case custom for the
cajun accordion for about $150 as well as padded soft cases that
can carry on to an airplane. He also makes Tee-fer's (triangles),
Spoons and frattoirs (scrubboards - best price I've seen at
$55-$65) as well as carries instructional books, tapes and videos.
Savoy Music Center also sells cases, straps, and instructional
books and videos as well as CD's and cassettes.
***And more from some other sources. ***********
From the Cajun French Music Association of LA 1991 brochure
* Henry Thibodeaux (accordion) approx $900-$1100
Houston, TX limited production
(713) 422-3551 or (713) 328-6109
Espera Broussard (Handmade Fiddles "The Cajun Shadivori")
Lacassine, LA
(318) 588-4364
From Louisiana State Department of Culture brochure of 1988
Charlie Ortego ("Master" brand accordion)
Rt. 14, Box 1842
Lake Charles, LA 70605
Calcasieu Parish
(318) 477-2126
John H. Roger ("Cajun" accordion) to $1300
2517 Lawrence Dr
Meraux, LA 70075
St. Bernard Parish
(504) 279-7554
Savoy Music Center - see Marc Savoy above
Royne Fontenot (Cajun Violins)
1340 W. Oak Ave.
Eunice, LA 70535
St. Landry Parish
(318) 457-7440
Adner Ortego (Cajun Fiddles with Louisiana wood & Tee-fers)
Star Rt., Box 31
Washington, LA 70589
St. Landry Parish
(318) 826-3872
Marcel "Tex" Grimsley (Fiddles of curly maple and spruce)
2042 Murray St.
Shreveport, LA 71108
Caddo Parish
(318) 636-3813
Someone unknown to me said by email "I got one through Larry
Miller that was made by someone named Slim Bellard (sp?) for about
$750. It was the fifth one he had ever made and Larry did the
tuning on the reeds. As in all things, I would expect the price
has gone up slightly but you could try Larry and see."
Gabbanelli Accordions in Houston also carries an Italian made (by
one of their uncles I was told) cajun box - "King" brand that is
about in the Regal class or above. Approximately $750 to start.
They also do a MIDI retrofit for their cajun box (& others) with a
digital interface built onto the box.
Gabbanelli Accordions
4991 W. Bellfort
Houston, Tx 77035
(713) 728-9898
(713) 728-9393 fax
********and now for a Quebecois maker***********
Accorde'on Me'lodie
477 Boul. Tache' Est
Montmagny, Qc, Canada
G5V IE4
Raynald Ouellet or Sylvain Ve'zina
(418) 248-9503 or (418) 248-6967
*** From Ann Savoy's book "Cajun Music: A Reflection of a
People" 1984 *****
Roy Bertrand
407 7th Street
Mamou, LA 70554
(318) 468-5520
Leland Colligan ("Acadiana" brand accordion)
PO Box 451
Carencro, LA 70520
(318) 896-5204
Fred Cormier ("Magnolia" brand accordion)
305 Sylvia Street
Lafayette, LA 70506
(318) 234-4978
Elton Doucet *See list above
Randy Falcon *See list above
Harrison Fontenot ("Imperial" brand accordion)
Rt. 2, Box 151 C
Ville Platte, LA 70586
(318) 363-2412
Jason Frey
Rt. 7, Box 258
Eunice, LA 70535
(318) 457-9757
Paul Guidry ("Creole" brand acordion)
208 Bellhomme Drive
Lafayette, LA 70506
(318) 984-3145
John Hebert
604 Cedar Crest Court
Lafayette, LA 70502
(318) 235-2092
John Cliff Hebert
Rt. 2, Box 277 D
Maurice, LA 70555
(318) 984-3345
Mike LaFleur ("Professional" brand accordion)
Rt. 3, Box 418
Church Point, LA 70525
(318) 684-2096
Ray Landry
600 Parklane Rd
Lafayette, LA 70507
(318) 233-9690
Ervin LeJeune
Rt. 2, Box 701
Jennings, LA 70546
(318) 824-6667
Elgie Matthews, Jr.
P.O. Box 5
Stowell, TX 77665
(409) 296-9824
Larry G. Miller *See list above
Lawrence "Shine" Mouton *See list above
Charlie Ortego *See list above
Nolton Picard ("Eagle" brand accordion)
1901 West Ash
Eunice, LA 70535
(318) 457-3997
Elton Quibodeaux
Rt. 1, Box M40
Kaplan, LA 70548
(318) 643-2360
Russell Richard
906 1/2 Marshall Street
Rayne, LA 70578
(318) 334-4969
John H. Roger *See list above
Marc Savoy *See list above
Allen J. Smith
6822 Green Medow
Greenwell Springs, LA 70639
(504) 261-7121
Ernest Sylvester
1390 Lee Street
Opelousas, LA 70570
(318) 942-2093
Donald Thibodeaux ("Bayou" brand accordion)
851 North 2nd Street
Eunice, LA 70535
(318) 457-1725
Walace Trahan
229 Southeastern Ave.
Crowley, LA 70526
(318) 783-6737
Erroll Verret ("Evangeline" brand accordion)
Rt. 5, Box 206
Breaux Bridge, LA 70517
(318) 228-2451
--
Kirk Walker
kawa...@ibm.net