BELL Concert Cassotto Accordion

Professional BELL Double Tone Chamber Concert Accordion

Dear Accordion Friends,

There are many nice instruments that can keep us satisfied and inspired. However, once you come across an exceptional quality accordion you know it from the first chord you play! We all deserve to find our ultimate accordion, the accordion we will never part with. Fortunately, we have different preferences and this makes the accordion world as exciting and colorful it is. I have found MY sacred accordion and I know how great it feels to be able to hear that dream sound each time you play. I am sure someone will soon feel the same way about the accordion I am presenting to you now.

This full size professional accordion was custom built and can't be found in the Bell catalogs from the 1950-60s. Bell accordions were built in NYC until 1955-56. After that Aldo Mencaccini moved the production to Italy and only dealt with companies he would respect, companies with proven quality record that would adhere to his strict specifications. Some of these companies are Scandalli (the 25xx series), Sonola (the Symphony, Galaxie, and Starlet models), Borsini (the Super Star models), Bugari (a limited edition built in 1999-2000).

Based on the internal architecture of this instrument I think it was built in Italy in the late 1950s. This particular accordion was made by Sonola with wooden (American walnut) keyboard and double tone chamber. This would place it just before the Symphony model was released. A great advantage of this particular accordion is the light weight of 26 lb. The tone chamber design is very similar to the chamber in Dominic Cortese's Bell 4518.

Made in Italy by Sonola as a lighter version of Dominic Cortese's Bell 4518
4 treble sets of reeds - LM1M2H
Concert tuned
5 sets of bass reeds
Double Tone Chamber (LM1)
Tone Modulator - creates a beautiful sonority with ever warmer tone when closed
41 keys, 19" keyboard - American walnut keys with ivory-finished key tops, excellent keyboard action
12 treble switches (2 of them are for the tone modulator): Open, Bassoon (L), Accordion (LM1M2), Bandoneon (LM1), Harmonium (LM₁H), Organ (LH), Musette (M1M2H), Violin (M1M2), Oboe (M2), Clarinet (M1), Piccolo (H), and Close
Palm Master (LMMH)
22 different treble reed sounds with the modulator open and closed
120 bass, precise and silent mechanics
Low-A bass reed configuration (usually the Bell accordions from the 1950-60s had low-C bass)
5 bass registers
Large volume air tight, clean bellows with mahogany frame and internal gaskets - "Bellows are deep fold type for greater air capacity - precision fitting throughout avoids air loss."
Excellent new shoulder straps and bass strap
Original pristine metal mesh bellows straps (rare to find in such excellent condition on these vintage models)
Bellows protector
26 lb
Very good hard case with internal padding
Serviced at the Accordion Gallery and offered with a full year warranty

Here is a link to a shared Dropbox folder with sound samples. I suggest you listen with headphones:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/hex8h5afbcr9tbu/Bell-Concert-Cassotto.wav?dl=0

This Bell is a legendary instrument with increasing value. It plays easy and rewards you and your audience with rich beautiful tone. You will recognize immediately the tremendous power and impressive tonal color from the Golden Age. This accordion will be a family treasure for the true accordion lover.

Call 973-770-6877 with any questions. See you at the Accordion Gallery.