Melodeon.net Forums

Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

News:

Welcome to the new melodeon.net forum

Pages: [1] 2 3 4   Go Down

Author Topic: Questions about the Castagnari Giordy  (Read 17690 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

tjsmithdog5

  • Regular debater
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 175
Questions about the Castagnari Giordy
« on: June 09, 2015, 02:43:10 AM »

I am toying with the idea of ordering a Giordy as a convenient little picnic/camping trip companion. My nervous system does not respond well to really high pitched instruments, however, so I would like to get the tonality as low as the small size of the box would support.

First off, am I correct that the G/C Giordy will be pitched a fourth lower than a D/G, just as it is with full sized melodeons? Secondly, I am told by my friends at The Button Box that the Giordy can be ordered with reeds a full octave lower than usual, but at the expense of weights on the reed tips which degrade the response somewhat.

Has anyone here had experience with a Giordy pitched at the lower octave (in whatever keys)?  And, assuming that I am correct in thinking that the G/C is a fourth lower than the D/G, would it be a prudent compromise to ask for a D/G that plays in the lower octave of a regular D/G melodeon, rather than going all the way to a low-octave G/C?

Thanks in advance for any information or advice you may have to share.
Logged
Jeff Smith, Michigan
Laura G/C, Giordy D/G, Preciosa C/F

Helena Handcart

  • Nine-box Nellie
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2218
Re: Questions about the Castagnari Giordy
« Reply #1 on: June 09, 2015, 08:23:28 AM »

I bought one from Rees Wesson at Chippenham FF recently, having been admiring these little beasts since Malcolm Bebb of this parish bought one from Rees at Chippenham FF last year. Life's funny like that.

Mine is D/G in the lower octave and I wanted it for reasons broadly similar to yours, portability being key, especially for festivals and morris tarting.  It came with a hard case but I have ordered a padded camera bag that will fit inside a (smallish) rucksack so I will soon be able to take it with me everywhere  :|||: :|||: :|||: It really is the best portable annoyance machine I have yet seen.

I've only had the box for a couple of weeks but it has already been out on two morris tours and it can certainly keep up with the other melodeons in our side - a Loffet, a Saltarelle and a Pokerwork.  It is fabulous for morris although the small size has meant quite a bit of re-learning in terms of bellows control and air button usage. Having neither accidentals or low notes it is not a box for playing too much 'twiddly stuff'  - my usual layout is 4th button start G Scale so I do have to remember not to start tunes I can't finish.

In the lower octave it is fine in D/G - in the upper octave I think it would certainly be dog-summoning time and all the hounds in the the neighbourhood would be joining in.

All in all a cracking little box and lots of fun.



Logged
Sideways typing on the wooden handbag (now with added electric typewriter).

 Green Man Sword | Helena Handcart on Soundcloud| Squeezebox from Scratch |

911377brian

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1518
Re: Questions about the Castagnari Giordy
« Reply #2 on: June 09, 2015, 12:21:00 PM »

Helena, it cheered me no end to read your write up on the little Giordy. I've ordered one from Rees and having no idea of what tuning to ask for (apart from it being in D/G) I've taken Guru Bailey's advice for it to be tuned to the chin end of G and D (not too technical for you ?) and this seems to be Rees's position as well. Thinning the herd has been a failure, one out followed by one in, so I've started to go for very small beasts....
Logged

Doug

  • Regular debater
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 105
Re: Questions about the Castagnari Giordy
« Reply #3 on: June 09, 2015, 12:33:16 PM »

I agree with what Helena said. I bought my lower octave Giordy from Rees Wesson at the beginning of the year.

It's got no accidentals other than the usual C - C sharp option by changing row. It has no low notes on the treble side but the bass side is in the same octave and so it continues the scale down on the left. The bass notes are single reeds and so you have the correct low B and low C if you remember to push the button on the left. It will therefore play every Morris and English Session tune (that I know) as long as they don't have accidentals. If there is a tune that goes off the top of the scale; I don't know it.

The left hand is odd in that the chords are only the 3rd and 5th of the scale. If you want the full chord you need to play the bass note as well.

It's a terrific little box.
Doug
Logged
Serenellini 3v, Dino Baffetti Oakwood Super 2v  and Castignari Giordy. All D/G.

Helena Handcart

  • Nine-box Nellie
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2218
Re: Questions about the Castagnari Giordy
« Reply #4 on: June 09, 2015, 12:47:21 PM »

The left hand is odd in that the chords are only the 3rd and 5th of the scale. If you want the full chord you need to play the bass note as well.

Aha - is that what it is?  I could tell it wasn't the full chord but couldn't quite work out what was going. I don't usually do thirds. Hmmm....
Logged
Sideways typing on the wooden handbag (now with added electric typewriter).

 Green Man Sword | Helena Handcart on Soundcloud| Squeezebox from Scratch |

Cooper

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 695
  • Gaillrd G/C/#,Casta Allain8 GC,Lofft CF, giord ad
    • Cooper's homepage
Re: Questions about the Castagnari Giordy
« Reply #5 on: June 09, 2015, 01:12:54 PM »

The left hand is odd in that the chords are only the 3rd and 5th of the scale. If you want the full chord you need to play the bass note as well.

Aha - is that what it is?  I could tell it wasn't the full chord but couldn't quite work out what was going. I don't usually do thirds. Hmmm....

Yeah, it's strange but fun. It gives you other options then usually, when combining 2 or 3 buttons on your left hand. I wrote down the options i use somewhere in a thread here about giordies, if you are interested.
Logged
Please correct my English, it's been a while, and i like to learn.
And don't be so polite! I know i must be typing tons of stuff that a native speaker would say differently...please enlighten me.

www.wouterkuyper.nl
www.lirio.nl
www.trekzakacademie.nl

Lester

  • MADman
  • Mods and volunteers
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 9109
  • Hohners'R'me
    • Lester's Melodeon Emporium and Tune-a-Rama
Re: Questions about the Castagnari Giordy
« Reply #6 on: June 09, 2015, 01:14:16 PM »

The left hand is odd in that the chords are only the 3rd and 5th of the scale. If you want the full chord you need to play the bass note as well.

Aha - is that what it is?  I could tell it wasn't the full chord but couldn't quite work out what was going. I don't usually do thirds. Hmmm....

I asked Rees about this and he said firsts and fifths???

Helena Handcart

  • Nine-box Nellie
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2218
Re: Questions about the Castagnari Giordy
« Reply #7 on: June 09, 2015, 01:21:36 PM »

I asked Rees about this and he said firsts and fifths???

Hmm... seems more likely?
Logged
Sideways typing on the wooden handbag (now with added electric typewriter).

 Green Man Sword | Helena Handcart on Soundcloud| Squeezebox from Scratch |

rees

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4734
  • Windjammer
    • Wesson Accordions
Re: Questions about the Castagnari Giordy
« Reply #8 on: June 09, 2015, 01:24:59 PM »

You've got me thinking now and I don't have a Giordy to hand.  :-\
Logged
Rees Wesson (accordion builder and mechanic)
Gungrog, Welshpool, Wales, UK
www.melodeons.com

Lester

  • MADman
  • Mods and volunteers
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 9109
  • Hohners'R'me
    • Lester's Melodeon Emporium and Tune-a-Rama
Re: Questions about the Castagnari Giordy
« Reply #9 on: June 09, 2015, 01:25:13 PM »

I asked Rees about this and he said firsts and fifths???

Hmm... seems more likely?

I would agree where it not that I had 911377Brian's baby Baffetti in the workshop for major surgery and that had 3rds and 5ths. His Baffetti was a single row was originally an Organetto before I melodeonated it so that may be why the chords were the way they were????

Helena Handcart

  • Nine-box Nellie
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2218
Re: Questions about the Castagnari Giordy
« Reply #10 on: June 09, 2015, 01:31:38 PM »

You've got me thinking now and I don't have a Giordy to hand.  :-\

I do  ;) There's one under my desk as it happens.

From the sound I'd go with thirds and fifths. 
Logged
Sideways typing on the wooden handbag (now with added electric typewriter).

 Green Man Sword | Helena Handcart on Soundcloud| Squeezebox from Scratch |

rees

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4734
  • Windjammer
    • Wesson Accordions
Re: Questions about the Castagnari Giordy
« Reply #11 on: June 09, 2015, 01:50:33 PM »

I have a couple of Giordys on order. I'll give a definitive answer when they arrive.
Logged
Rees Wesson (accordion builder and mechanic)
Gungrog, Welshpool, Wales, UK
www.melodeons.com

911377brian

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1518
Re: Questions about the Castagnari Giordy
« Reply #12 on: June 09, 2015, 02:06:12 PM »

Please please tell me that one of them is for me Rees.... please...
Logged

rees

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4734
  • Windjammer
    • Wesson Accordions
Re: Questions about the Castagnari Giordy
« Reply #13 on: June 09, 2015, 02:29:34 PM »

Please please tell me that one of them is for me Rees.... please...

Only if you say please  ;)
Logged
Rees Wesson (accordion builder and mechanic)
Gungrog, Welshpool, Wales, UK
www.melodeons.com

911377brian

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1518
Re: Questions about the Castagnari Giordy
« Reply #14 on: June 09, 2015, 02:45:23 PM »

Please.....
Logged

pete /acorn

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 872
  • .Cast Trilly
    • Acorn Instruments
Re: Questions about the Castagnari Giordy
« Reply #15 on: June 09, 2015, 03:26:34 PM »

Hi
We also have Giordys' on order,both in Maple and Padouk
Have been ordered for quit a while,please contact us if you would like to reserve one.6 available

Pete
Acorn Instruments
info@acorninstruments.co.uk

PS Just heard from Castagnari,Giordys to be shipped next week,will keep fingers crossed.
« Last Edit: June 09, 2015, 05:20:06 PM by jilly/ pete »
Logged
Acorn Instruments are the official retailer for Castagnari Instruments,Melodeons and Accordions for England and Scotland and have an extensive stock of new instruments on the shelf for prompt delivery in standard layouts however these can easily be changed to customers specia lrequirements
 We also have the largest stock in the UK of  pre loved melodons all fully serviced,and with 12 months warranty
UK and international customers catered for
www.acorninstruments.co.uk

Cooper

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 695
  • Gaillrd G/C/#,Casta Allain8 GC,Lofft CF, giord ad
    • Cooper's homepage
Re: Questions about the Castagnari Giordy
« Reply #16 on: June 09, 2015, 03:33:29 PM »

I asked Rees about this and he said firsts and fifths???

Hmm... seems more likely?

Unless they changed the original setup it really is thirds and fifths.
W
Logged
Please correct my English, it's been a while, and i like to learn.
And don't be so polite! I know i must be typing tons of stuff that a native speaker would say differently...please enlighten me.

www.wouterkuyper.nl
www.lirio.nl
www.trekzakacademie.nl

Helena Handcart

  • Nine-box Nellie
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2218
Re: Questions about the Castagnari Giordy
« Reply #17 on: June 09, 2015, 03:37:44 PM »

Unless they changed the original setup it really is thirds and fifths.
W

Thanks Cooper - then my ears don't deceive me. I'd probably prefer firsts and fifths TBH but there you go.
Logged
Sideways typing on the wooden handbag (now with added electric typewriter).

 Green Man Sword | Helena Handcart on Soundcloud| Squeezebox from Scratch |

Thrupenny Bit

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6831
  • happily squeezing away in Devon
Re: Questions about the Castagnari Giordy
« Reply #18 on: June 09, 2015, 03:46:45 PM »

Helena, will you be bringing it to Sidmouth or Shrewsbury festivals?
Just being nosey....  ;)
Q
Logged
Thrupenny Bit

I think I'm starting to get most of the notes in roughly the right order...... sometimes!

malcolmbebb

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2609
  • In dampest Dorset, on the soggy south coast.
Re: Questions about the Castagnari Giordy
« Reply #19 on: June 09, 2015, 03:48:22 PM »

Might bring mine to Sid.
Logged
Dino BPII.
"Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire."
Pages: [1] 2 3 4   Go Up
 


Melodeon.net - (c) Theo Gibb; Clive Williams 2010. The access and use of this website and forum featuring these terms and conditions constitutes your acceptance of these terms and conditions.
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal