cost of (piano) accordions

[Ronald Long NEC Systems Lab]

being isolated off in the Northwest, I was wondering what quality
instruments cost. The main local dealer, Petosa, tell me that my
instrument (a 30 year old Gian Scala, which is essentially a Petosa with
a different grill, as far as I can determine), has a replacement cost in
excess of $10,000.
(I bought it back in '82, from the late Joseph Spano, for considerably
less than that).

It's a great instrument (other than being too heavy), but are these
things really that expensive?

ronald

>

[Dt Bray]

Hi Ronald,
This summer, Toby Hanson of Seattle (of the Smilin Scandinavians) took me
to Joe Spano's shop/accordion school in Kent Washington (half hour south
of Seattle) which is currently run by his son and staffed by the
outstanding musical excellence of Tom Demski. Since you bought the
instrument from Joe Spano, a trip to Spano Accordions in Kent might yield
good info and, possibly, the musical treat of hearing Tom Demski play.
Good on ya,
Dina

In article
<c=US%a=_%p=msft%l=RED-83-MSG-960...@tide21.microsoft.com>,

[Craig or Jill Carlile]

Ronald,
I would suggest that you take the PA to Spano and show it to Tom Demski.
He would love to look it over and would be pleased that you bought it
from their shop. Besides, Tom is lots of fun to talk to. Have him
demonstrate the triple bellows shake. Call first: he is in great demand
as a performer and is often not in the shop.
Spano Accordion, 2002 So. 272nd St, Kent WA 98032 PH.(206)946-0338
Tell him that Spano gets mentioned on this news group often. It really
lights him up.

Craig

[robertocat...@gmail.com]

Hello Ronal. I have a big interest on it. I can´t pay that full price, but ig you are open to offers, just let me know !!!

[ike milligan]

A friend's wife bought him a new *popular Italian make*, and some of the
high reeds were slow to respond. I tried with limited success to fix it
by filling the chambers, but the problem was cheap reeds.
You are better off to buy an older accordion from someone who has played
it and can vouch for the reed quality.
She paid a dealer $7000 and he sold it to a talented teenager for $4500.
If you buy a new accordion get a custom job, and pay a little extra for
whatever "hand-made" reeds they put in them.