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Author Topic: What Type of Box is Best for All These Styles?  (Read 7195 times)

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Grape Ape

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Re: What Type of Box is Best for All These Styles?
« Reply #20 on: May 21, 2015, 07:48:12 PM »

I cannot speak for the compadre, but my first box was a Panther. It was cheaply made and buttons began sticking within the first few months. It felt cheaply made which is why I sold it within less than a year.  I think the Stereische is your best choice, but the reason I like (and play) old club boxes is that IMO they are of a much higher build quality than the new Hohners, yet sell for a fraction of the price.

The differnce in layout from modern boxes has never bothered me, and in fact, I have grown to prefer it.
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Sebastian

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Re: What Type of Box is Best for All These Styles?
« Reply #21 on: May 21, 2015, 09:37:26 PM »

I wonder which would be the best choice of these? Club, Three Row, or Steirische?
The music you showed us can be played on all of them, since all of them have at least three tonalities. You don't need more.

Quote
I just found this video. In it one of the accordionists appears to be playing a Hohner Corona III. Is the Hohner Panther/Compadre similar to these?
The Corona III has three sets of treble reeds and therefore a richer sound than the Panther and the Compadre, which have only two sets. You can simulate the difference on your one row accordion.
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The Happy Wanderer

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Re: What Type of Box is Best for All These Styles?
« Reply #22 on: May 21, 2015, 09:53:12 PM »

I'm torn weather I should, or shouldn't get a second box. I can manage to play many songs on my one row, but I find it impossible to play songs with lots of black notes.  :-\

Another problem I run into with the one row is I have trouble holding it. The thumbstrap seems too big. I suppose I could tighten it.   (:)

What would be the reed settings for mimicking the Panther vs Corona?
« Last Edit: May 21, 2015, 09:55:25 PM by The Happy Wanderer »
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gettabettabox

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Re: What Type of Box is Best for All These Styles?
« Reply #23 on: May 21, 2015, 11:05:53 PM »

you need a flute.

 (:)
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Grape Ape

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Re: What Type of Box is Best for All These Styles?
« Reply #24 on: May 21, 2015, 11:18:17 PM »

The Panther is tuned MM the Corona is MMM (usually)mor LMM.
As would be Steirische Harmonika and  club systems. Wet Tuned.
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TomBom

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Re: What Type of Box is Best for All These Styles?
« Reply #25 on: May 21, 2015, 11:28:04 PM »

I'm torn weather I should, or shouldn't get a second box. I can manage to play many songs on my one row, but I find it impossible to play songs with lots of black notes.  :-\

Another problem I run into with the one row is I have trouble holding it. The thumbstrap seems too big. I suppose I could tighten it.   (:)
You could install strap brackets and use one or two shoulder straps and abandon the bl***y thumb strap.
Is there any chance to try out a few different boxes before buying?
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The Happy Wanderer

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Re: What Type of Box is Best for All These Styles?
« Reply #26 on: May 21, 2015, 11:53:43 PM »

I'm torn weather I should, or shouldn't get a second box. I can manage to play many songs on my one row, but I find it impossible to play songs with lots of black notes.  :-\

Another problem I run into with the one row is I have trouble holding it. The thumbstrap seems too big. I suppose I could tighten it.   (:)
You could install strap brackets and use one or two shoulder straps and abandon the bl***y thumb strap.
Is there any chance to try out a few different boxes before buying?

Unfortunately, I don't think so. The nearest Club Accordions are at Liberty Bellows, which is probably about 4 hours away. The Button Box, which is about an hour away, unfortunately doesn't currently have any three rows, clubs, or steirische harmonikas. I could test out mobile accordion apps. However, these are never like the real think.
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Matthew B

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Re: What Type of Box is Best for All These Styles?
« Reply #27 on: May 22, 2015, 01:23:13 AM »

Happy, you might want to give the Button Box a call.  They're pretty nice people and will notify you if they have instruments that interest you that show up in their stock.  They will also send stuff out on a trial basis if you'll cover shipping, so you can experiemnt with different boxes at a fraction of the cost of purchasing one. 

I notice from your profile that you're based in the North East US.  There are a few melnet members in New England.  If you let people know what you're interested in playing you may find you have a neighbour who can lend you an instrument.  Many of us are happy to share.  Thus, I cherish a small bright green polka dot painted on the bellows of one of my boxes that was put there by Gary Chapin's daughter when he was borrowing it a while ago.     
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Sebastian

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Re: What Type of Box is Best for All These Styles?
« Reply #28 on: May 22, 2015, 10:25:26 AM »

I'm torn weather I should, or shouldn't get a second box. I can manage to play many songs on my one row, but I find it impossible to play songs with lots of black notes.  :-\

Another problem I run into with the one row is I have trouble holding it. The thumbstrap seems too big. I suppose I could tighten it.   (:)
There is somewhere in these pages a link to an excellent introduction to playing the one-row. The author provides some hints how to tackle the problems of the "black notes".

You have a Weltmeister, I think. To tighten the thumb strap unscrew, make it tighter and re-insert the screw. It's a simple operation of five minutes or so. (Weltmeister sells thumb straps as spare parts.)

Unfortunately, I don't think so. The nearest Club Accordions are at Liberty Bellows, which is probably about 4 hours away. The Button Box, which is about an hour away, unfortunately doesn't currently have any three rows, clubs, or steirische harmonikas.
When I commissioned my Hummel, I spent 4 hours to go to the maker and 4 hours back. When the Hummel was ready, I had to do the trip again. :)
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Theo

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Re: What Type of Box is Best for All These Styles?
« Reply #29 on: May 22, 2015, 10:30:27 AM »

The Panther is tuned MM the Corona is MMM (usually)mor LMM.
As would be Steirische Harmonika and  club systems. Wet Tuned.

Not quite the complete picture.  It depends Which model Corona. There are two voice and there voice versions.  The most common model the Corona II is MM.  Corona III is MMM.  There is also the Corona IIIR with is LMM with 5 registers, but is pretty scarce.
There is a huge variety of Hohner Club boxes in MM MMM and LMM and also 4voice and five voice models
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Sebastian

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Re: What Type of Box is Best for All These Styles?
« Reply #30 on: May 24, 2015, 12:47:52 PM »

Another problem I run into with the one row is I have trouble holding it. The thumbstrap seems too big.
I think this video gives a good insight how to hold the box and how to use the thumb strap. (:)
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Chris Ryall

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Re: What Type of Box is Best for All These Styles?
« Reply #31 on: May 24, 2015, 10:12:11 PM »

The "all" melodeon layout tends to be the 3-row, which I have switched to over the decades. Even there some styles, in suitable keys tend to just "lie under the fingers". The unsuitables range from "dogs" to unplayable (eg anything in Ab on my kit). Exact type of 3-row is less critical, subject to such idiosyncrasies.

Playing perfection is likely to be a 2-row, or Club system, ideally bought from a shop specialising in the style you like most. Anything else may be a compromise, in one or another style.

A CBA (or B/C/C#) layout can also handle virtually anything, but they are heavy, and you lose many of those lovely melodeonic dynamics, unless you strike lucky on the key in play. Eg a BCC# played in C is about as good as a C 1-row with a few 1kg weights added, as a handicap! ;)

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george garside

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Re: What Type of Box is Best for All These Styles?
« Reply #32 on: May 24, 2015, 10:53:06 PM »

  . Eg a BCC# played in C is about as good as a C 1-row with a few 1kg weights added, as a handicap! ;)

or C can be played  on a BCC# with everything exept the G on the pull i.e. 7 pulls and one push using all 3 rows or if preferred with 5 pulls and 3 pushes and in the aforementioned a one row fashion if so desired. and therein lies the fascination of the instrument

george
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The Happy Wanderer

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Re: What Type of Box is Best for All These Styles?
« Reply #33 on: May 25, 2015, 01:06:38 PM »

It seems there is an excellent deal on a Hohner Compadre on Woodwind and Brasswind. I can get one for $544.00 if I got it today. It would be in the key of GCF. Would this be wise to do so?
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Sebastian

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Re: What Type of Box is Best for All These Styles?
« Reply #34 on: May 25, 2015, 03:08:29 PM »

It seems there is an excellent deal on a Hohner Compadre on Woodwind and Brasswind. I can get one for $544.00 if I got it today. It would be in the key of GCF. Would this be wise to do so?
Just my two pennies worth:

As long as you play together with yourself and not with other musicians, it may not be really important whether it's in GCF or BbEbAb or whatever.

If you have the money and if the instrument is unplayed and in good condition and if you feel the urge to play it -- than, yes, it could be wise to do so.

(The condition you are in, is called "MAD".  ;) Normally it fades away after some time, only to come back later. But as the Compadre is really a different instrument than a one row, I wouldn't think it sinfull to give in to the temptation this time.)

((For less money you would get a better Club box -- but only a used one. There may be some arguments why to prefer an unplayed box to a used one.))

(((BTW: Cool avatar! 8) )))
« Last Edit: May 25, 2015, 03:22:58 PM by Sebastian »
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The Happy Wanderer

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Re: What Type of Box is Best for All These Styles?
« Reply #35 on: May 25, 2015, 03:32:36 PM »

Thanks! I wound up getting the Compadre. I assume it will be easier for some things, but harder for others (possibly?) Unfortunately, it's currently out of stock. It will ship late June I think.  :||:
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KLR

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Re: What Type of Box is Best for All These Styles?
« Reply #36 on: May 25, 2015, 04:28:48 PM »

can somebody put a keyboard chart of a steiriche  on here?

george

Try here George, it's a bit of a struggle due to being in German

http://members.yline.com/~arizona/harmonika/

I just use Chrome's handy "Translate to English" feature.  That site can't be beat for showing layouts.  I sometimes futz around with trying Alpine tunes on my ADG but doubt I'll persevere enough to get very far with it.  It's just the greatest music.
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Lester

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Re: What Type of Box is Best for All These Styles?
« Reply #37 on: May 25, 2015, 04:32:07 PM »

I just use Chrome's handy "Translate to English" feature.  That site can't be beat for showing layouts.  I sometimes futz around with trying Alpine tunes on my ADG but doubt I'll persevere enough to get very far with it.  It's just the greatest music.

Unfortunately the auto translate, which is v good usually, can't translate the text in the images that form the bulk of the keyboard layout stuff

The Happy Wanderer

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Re: What Type of Box is Best for All These Styles?
« Reply #38 on: June 20, 2015, 08:40:30 PM »

I wound up cancelling the compadre order. It wasn't shipping until January (that's quite a bit off.) Are there any cheap alternatives? I am mostly looking at under $750, but I may manage with $1000.
« Last Edit: June 20, 2015, 09:53:52 PM by The Happy Wanderer »
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