EXCELSIOR AC Cassotto Accordion

Dear Accordion Friends,

This top of the line Excelsior AC accordion was made in Italy in the late 1950s or early 1960s and features hand made reeds, double tone chamber, tone modulator, and stereo amplification. This instrument will offer you a variety of sounds with 4 sets of treble reeds and 6 sets of bass reeds, all hand-made. While most of the AC models came with LMMH reed configuration and concert/dry tuning this particular accordion was factory made with LMMM reed configuration. You have LM with concert tuning and 2 additional sets of clarinet reeds (M2 and M3) with musette tuning allowing for concert (dry) sounds like bassoon, clarinet, bandoneon, as well as beautiful Italian and French musette sounds when adding M2 and M3. 

Here is a summary of the features:
This is a very versatile instrument in great condition. It has been serviced at the Accordion Gallery and is offered with a full year warranty. The tone is harmonically rich and has the classic Excelsior  charm. The reeds respond fast. The compression is excellent, like on a brand new instrument. The keyboard, bass machine, and switches work smooth. This is a top of the line high quality reliable accordion. Please, see my comments in the pictures section below for more detailed information.

Call me at 973-770-6877 to schedule your visit to the Accordion Gallery and try this beautiful instrument.



There are 8 different bass switches, seven chrome-plated and a long black master bar underneath (seen below).
The top 3 switches allow the performer access to 3 full octaves of single notes played on the bass and counter-bass
rows. (The chords will match the octave.) This is often referred to as Galla-Rini free-bass. Note, the Giovanni Gola
adopted this designed on the famous Hohner Gola models (same reed configuration and bass switches function.)











The Excelsior accordions were made in the USA till 1955 or 1956. For the next few years some instruments were
made in Italy and assembled in the USA. I think this particular accordion was made in Italy (as stated on the back)
in the late 1950's or early 1960s.





There are two sets of back-straps. I know many professional accordionists who like the additional support for long gigs.









The key tops and bass-board are ivory finished. I haven't been able to find this material for new accordion orders.
The accordion has a classic vintage look with a great visual appeal and impressive tonal character. 




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.



There are 4 microphones for the treble side mounted under the Tone Modulator (picture above) and 2 bass
microphones mounted in the bass compartment (see photo below). The amplification is stereo and allows for
separate Tone and Volume control for treble and bass.





The Excelsior design of the Tone Modulator is one of the best I have seen.
Tone Modulator Closed (picture above) and Open (picture below).



All reeds are hand made with genuine leather valves. The accordion was tuned at the Accordion Gallery in October 2017.







There are two bass microphones mounted in the bass compartment and seen in the photograph below.



The AC model has 6 sets of bass reeds with low-A configuration. The additional reeds are Alto set and sound in the
bass and counter-bass rows adding middle range harmonics when selected by the switches.





Call 973-770-6877 with any questions.

Accordion Gallery