Dear
Accordion Friends,
It is such a pleasure to present to
you this custom-made version of the Excelsior Artist Cassotto
Continental model. This is a lighter version with 4/5 sets of reeds and
3 bass switches (the standard model has 4/6 sets of reeds and 7 bass
switches). I haven't seen it in any Excelsior catalog from the 1950s.
This accordion was made in the USA with fabulous hand-made reeds, double tone chamber, tone modulator,
low-A robust bass, and a sound to remember.
Excelsior AC
Continental Accordion Sound Samples (headphones recommended)
The accordion has been professionally serviced by my mentor Aldo Mencaccini. Aldo was the founder and owner of Bell accordions until he retired in 2006. At that time Alex Carozza acquired the Bell brand and Aldo's inventory. (I got Aldo's tools - the better deal!). Alex changed the name of his music store in NYC to Alex and Bell. When Alex retired I bought 11 Excelsior accordions and this was among them. Aldo's tuning holds very well. I had to adjust only a few piccolo reeds. The accordion is ready for a new home. It will respond to the slightest bellows pressure with a clean tone. You can play soft and loud as well. The dynamic range of the reeds is impressive. This Excelsior has the compression of a brand new accordion. You will absolutely love it!
Call
973-219-9259 with any questions or to schedule your visit to
the Accordion Gallery where you can try the accordion yourself
and compare it to many other fine instruments.
The next photograph shows the Tone Modulator Open.
Through the openings of the Tone Modulator you can see the treble valves. The green felt and the leather pads are in excellent condition.
According
to the Excelsior catalog, all AC models feature "Split
Treble Valves: For easy, even escape of air from
all treble valve openings;
increases volume 20%." The key rods for chambered valves are
not riveted to the main key
rods. This design allows for
independent more precise alignment of the valves parallel to
the sound board. The same design can be seen in the 1950s Hohner Morino.
The keyboard is level. The action is great and will help you play easier and better.
The
next series of photographs show the interior of the accordion. Some
classic features typical for top of the line
instruments are the well varnished body and reed blocks, tone
chamber, hand
made reeds, internal bellows gaskets...
The
accordion interior is pristine.
The accordion body and the tone chamber are crafted form solid aged mahogany.
The reeds have never been abused by power tools. All reed leathers are excellent.
The serial number 465 is stamped on all internal components.
The reeds are precisely voiced and respond and a wide range of bellows pressure with any delay or hesitation.
The bass sound board has a special design with the reed openings matching the size of the reeds for optimal air flow.
