Topic: Hohner Primatona. (Read 2307 times)

Theo · « **Reply #20 on:** February 22, 2012, 01:46:33 PM »

Probably not, because I expect the coupler slides will be built into the reedblocks.

Keithypete. · « **Reply #21 on:** February 23, 2012, 01:17:26 AM »

https://picasaweb.google.com/103571715539757100098/HohnerPrimatona

Wow. What a bargain. Very good overall condition, nice action, all leather in matching red, gold items nice & bright with no pitting or corrosion, pearloid is immaculate. A little fusty smelling, but not too bad. Musette unfashionably wide, but that can be sorted. God bless the departed soul who played & cherished it.
Worth £200, (plus whatever tuning costs) all day long.

Martyn · « **Reply #22 on:** February 23, 2012, 02:42:43 AM »

It certainly sounds like it has gone to a good home and I'm sure it's what the last owner would have wanted.

Martyn

Theo · « **Reply #23 on:** February 23, 2012, 02:14:27 PM »

By a fascinating coincidence I've just bought this poor old neglected Hohner on ebay. From the picture and very sketchy description, and the location in N Ireland I guessed it was a 3 voice Double Ray de Luxe, but it has just arrived and is a 4 voice LMMM, tuned BC, with a coupler behind the fingerboard, so I suppose you could call it a pre-Primatona.

Inside it has what I think were Hohners best reeds of the time with the full name Hohner stamped on every reed plate.

pgroff · « **Reply #24 on:** February 23, 2012, 02:50:20 PM »

Great eye, Theo!

That sounds like a box with potential for a wonderful sound, and great to have the 23 button melody keyboard too.

Have fun with it!

PG

Reeds Munson · « **Reply #25 on:** February 25, 2012, 04:40:37 AM »

Congrats Pete! Glad to see you scored a nice 4 voice!
Just shows to go you, "Good things come to those who wait"

Keithypete. · « **Reply #26 on:** February 25, 2012, 09:12:16 AM »

Thanks Reeds, not quite the Paolo Soprani I would like, but at least I'll know whether or not the two switch IV VOICE is for me. But it is a cracking box - it needs tuning a bit. Which will happen sooner rather than later. I can't get over how light it is. Its not too big either - its got some mass, but lower the action a tad and it will be flyer. It wants to be played.

I keep watching videos of Brendan Begley playing a variety of Hohner boxes - now he CAN play the box. With another 10 or 15 year's playing I might be fit to carry his accordion case for him. He really makes the Hohner sing.

I wonder how near to III voice P. S. GREY sound you could get with the Primatona?? We shall see.

Keithypete. · « **Reply #27 on:** March 11, 2012, 10:31:35 PM »

How different would HallelujahAl's Gaelic IV be compared to my Primatona? Apart from the obvious outward appearance.

Steve Jones · « **Reply #28 on:** March 30, 2012, 04:40:48 AM »

http://youtu.be/jNFOwhG6fl0

Hallelujahal · « **Reply #29 on:** March 30, 2012, 07:20:16 AM »

Will try and find time later this evening to put up a better soundclip of the Gaelic IV Pete - I too would be interested to ascertain the difference.
AL

Keithypete. · « **Reply #30 on:** March 30, 2012, 07:54:32 AM »

Thanks for the clip there Steve. It's interesting that your man is playing without the grille on. Sounds very nice though, & good playing.

Alec Finn's shoes are very blue aren't they?

Adam-T · « **Reply #31 on:** March 30, 2012, 08:00:51 AM »

Quote from: Steve Jones on March 30, 2012, 04:40:48 AM

http://youtu.be/jNFOwhG6fl0

Excellent performance , thanks for sharing that link Steve !

george garside · « **Reply #32 on:** March 30, 2012, 10:41:35 AM »

Quote from: Keithypete. on February 23, 2012, 01:17:26 AM

https://picasaweb.google.com/103571715539757100098/HohnerPrimatona

Wow. What a bargain. Very good overall condition, nice action, all leather in matching red, gold items nice & bright with no pitting or corrosion, pearloid is immaculate. A little fusty smelling, but not too bad. Musette unfashionably wide, but that can be sorted. God bless the departed soul who played & cherished it.
Worth £200, (plus whatever tuning costs) all day long.

To me the amatona/primatona tuning is true hohner sound and is a major part of the charm of the boxso it would loose something thats in its genes if it was detuned in any way. - but thats just me - I love hohner 3/4 voice musette and everything else being equal prefer it to the paolo soprani version of musette

george

Keithypete. · « **Reply #33 on:** March 30, 2012, 02:04:49 PM »

George - how would you describe the tuning of the Primatona in the clip Steve posted? I'm guessing a bit on the dry side for you. Not as it left the Hohner factory, is it?

Is the grille off just for added volume, or is there another reason?

Keithypete. · « **Reply #34 on:** March 30, 2012, 08:56:09 PM »

It's probably only fair to warn George Garside to sit down before viewing the pics in the album the link takes you to.

https://picasaweb.google.com/103571715539757100098/PrimatonaAFTERPhotos?authkey=Gv1sRgCKX_86Wh5ZWT1wE

Can you tell what I've done there? I'm expecting thee Hohner Police round any time. By the way, it's tuned -1/0/+ 2!

Not as it left the Hohner factory then. I like it! :-D

george garside · « **Reply #35 on:** March 30, 2012, 10:37:24 PM »

Quote from: Keithypete. on March 30, 2012, 08:56:09 PM

Not as it left the Hohner factory then. I like it! :-D

At the end of the day thats what matters!

george

Keithypete. · « **Reply #36 on:** March 30, 2012, 10:49:04 PM »

Converting it to a stop, from three switches, was an idea that came to me after seeing the grey Paolo Soprani Rees has commissioned. It certainly sounds different, in a good way. Making the new grille from scratch was a bit of a challenge though. It turned out quite well. Perhaps that's what Hohner should have done. I think it looks quite good now. . A nice box.

waltzman · « **Reply #37 on:** March 30, 2012, 11:56:38 PM »

Yes. A very good looking box.

Keithypete. · « **Reply #38 on:** March 30, 2012, 11:58:03 PM »

Thank you. I must geta sound thing done.

Keithypete. · « **Reply #39 on:** April 01, 2012, 07:09:58 AM »

Quote from: Theo on February 23, 2012, 02:14:27 PM

By a fascinating coincidence I've just bought this poor old neglected Hohner on ebay. From the picture and very sketchy description, and the location in N Ireland I guessed it was a 3 voice Double Ray de Luxe, but it has just arrived and is a 4 voice LMMM, tuned BC, with a coupler behind the fingerboard, so I suppose you could call it a pre-Primatona.

Inside it has what I think were Hohners best reeds of the time with the full name Hohner stamped on every reed plate.

I wonder why Hohner decided not to continue using the coupler behind the fingerboard? Given the choice I would prefer this system to the switches or stops.
Is this box being 'breathed on' Theo?

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Author Topic: Hohner Primatona. (Read 2307 times)