Vignoni

[Russ]

I am looking at a Vignoni CBA C system 96 bass converter w handmade reeds, LMM setup. The accordion is exactly what I have been looking for, for way over a year. It is also more money that I Have ever spent on an accordion. I would greatly appreciate any and all information on Vignoni company, quality, both subjective and objective. here is hoping everything works out and she accepts my offer. Thanks in advance

[ike milligan]

Post by Russ
I am looking at a Vignoni CBA C system 96 bass converter w handmade reeds, LMM setup. The accordion is exactly what I have been looking for, for way over a year. It is also more money that I Have ever spent on an accordion. I would greatly appreciate any and all information on Vignoni company, quality, both subjective and objective. here is hoping everything works out and she accepts my offer. Thanks in advance

Maybe this isn't exactly what you want to hear, but the proof of the
pudding is in the eating. If it feels good to you when you play it, and
has no problems, buy it. An accordion like you really enjoy is hard to find.
Anyone can put any name on an accordion, specifically the importer. It
could be impossible to determine if the reeds are hand-made, and if they
are modern hand-made reeds, they are probably hand-finished reeds.
Maybe somebody reading this has heard of Vignoni, maybe not.

[ciao_accordion]

Post by Russ
Vignoni

their predecessor, FisArt, was around for a long time and had a small
factory just up from the main gate into the Old City (Castlefidardo)
past the old Bompezzo shop and just below ItaliaCinte (Strapmakers)

FisArt made few accordions under their brand name, as most of their
business was providing a sort of "barebones" product to other
manufacturers/brands who lacked that depth of production

a younger part of the family re-invigorated the company awhile back,
closed the old factory and re-opened in a newer building slightly
down the hill from the OldTown (near Borsini) and began marketing their
own brand (Vignoni)

the new location is rather limiting in size, one would have to visit
to determine their current "Depth" - but historically speaking, they
would have the technical "chops" of several generations who managed to
stay in business one way or another - this suggests they have a clue.

Specifically, Russ, you are feeling kind of "hot" for this specific
accordion, but bear in mind a LMM setup will NOT give you a truly
satisfying Meusette... other professionals i have known, who also
play Chromatic, and who compromised with a new 3 reed treble, were
ultimately dis-satisfied, and lost money selling them off.

There are some styles and specific uses that a NEW 3 reed can satisfy,
but in terms of re-sale naturally will lose value faster, so you better
be sure.

in My Humble Opinion, there isn't a 3 reed treble accordion built today
in the WORLD worth that kind of premium price (over $5000) when there
are tons of professional 4 reed models out there in the same price point.
Smaller, lighter, specific (and limited) usage/purpose accordions are
cool to have, but you have to get them at a justifiable cost

ciao

Ventura

[ciao_accordion]

Post by Russ
Vignoni

their predecessor, FisArt, was around for a long time and had a small
factory just up from the main gate into the Old City (Castlefidardo)
past the old Bompezzo shop and just below ItaliaCinte (Strapmakers)

FisArt made few accordions under their brand name, as most of their
business was providing a sort of "barebones" product to other
manufacturers/brands who lacked that depth of production

a younger part of the family re-invigorated the company awhile back,
and began marketing their own brand (Vignoni) historically speaking, they
would have the technical "chops" of several generations who managed to
stay in business one way or another - this suggests they have a clue.
There is also something suggesting they do have an arrangement with Pigini,
which makes sense as there are precious few sources for
Convertor bass mechanicals. Have you priced new Pigini's for comparison?

Specifically, Russ, you are feeling kind of "hot" for this specific
accordion, but bear in mind a LMM setup will NOT give you a truly
satisfying Meusette... other professionals i have known, who also
play Chromatic, and who compromised with a new 3 reed treble, were
ultimately dis-satisfied, and lost money selling them off.

There are some styles and specific uses that a NEW 3 reed can satisfy,
but in terms of re-sale naturally will lose value faster, so you better
be sure.

in My Humble Opinion, there isn't a 3 reed treble accordion built today
in the WORLD worth that kind of premium price (over $5000) when there
are tons of professional 4 reed models out there in the same price point.

Smaller, lighter, specific (and limited) usage/purpose accordions are
cool to have, but you have to get them at a justifiable cost because
to equal the versatility of the LMMM box, you need to own 2 smaller ones...
an LMM and an MMM

ciao

Ventura

[ike milligan]

Post by ciao_accordion

Post by Russ
Vignoni

their predecessor, FisArt, was around for a long time and had a small
factory just up from the main gate into the Old City (Castlefidardo)
past the old Bompezzo shop and just below ItaliaCinte (Strapmakers)
FisArt made few accordions under their brand name, as most of their
business was providing a sort of "barebones" product to other
manufacturers/brands who lacked that depth of production
a younger part of the family re-invigorated the company awhile back,
and began marketing their own brand (Vignoni) historically speaking, they
would have the technical "chops" of several generations who managed to
stay in business one way or another - this suggests they have a clue.
There is also something suggesting they do have an arrangement with Pigini,
which makes sense as there are precious few sources for
Convertor bass mechanicals. Have you priced new Pigini's for comparison?
Specifically, Russ, you are feeling kind of "hot" for this specific
accordion, but bear in mind a LMM setup will NOT give you a truly
satisfying Meusette... other professionals i have known, who also
play Chromatic, and who compromised with a new 3 reed treble, were
ultimately dis-satisfied, and lost money selling them off.
There are some styles and specific uses that a NEW 3 reed can satisfy,
but in terms of re-sale naturally will lose value faster, so you better
be sure.
in My Humble Opinion, there isn't a 3 reed treble accordion built today
in the WORLD worth that kind of premium price (over $5000) when there
are tons of professional 4 reed models out there in the same price point.
Smaller, lighter, specific (and limited) usage/purpose accordions are
cool to have, but you have to get them at a justifiable cost because
to equal the versatility of the LMMM box, you need to own 2 smaller ones...
an LMM and an MMM
ciao
Ventura

I once had an Accordiana 3/5 LMM 5 row C system Chromatic I was learning
to play. I found it having a very good deep tone. Like an idiot I sold
it. I would not advise, as Phil just did, a person to always be cautious
when deciding buy an LMM chromatic, just because of that reed
configuration. Mine I let go of was a really great accordion of which I
have not seen the likes since then. The key action and mechanics were
flawless.
3/5 LMM is a quite useful chromatic configuration for not needing a
heavy bulky (all things being relative) ax.
Of course, that is, if you can find a really good one.
Paolo Soprani had some very nice 4/5 five row back in the day.
There was a Dallape 6 row.

[Russ]

Thank you for your input,
I am specifically looking for a 3 reed model and am really not interested in a 4 reed at this time. I had a beautiful Fisitalia 4 reed CBA and I felt like a beast of burden and it was just a Stradella if it was a converter it would have been a monster. I am looking for a 3 reed, LMM set up.

A quality 4 reed Converter CBA can rarely be found new in the 5000 range - most I have seen used are 8-12 thousand dollar range.

My biggest concern is the quality of the instrument and the company's reputation for quality as I cant go to England to buy. They seem to have a high regard for Vignoni in England. I am looking at around 5000 for the accordion, hardly used, from a well know English professional player. Finding a converter new in the states or anywhere is almost impossible at this price range.

There is also a factory new Bugari, the 320 JC (no mics, dural reeds) that I am looking at for possibly around that price. Any info about quality or comparisons of the two companies products again would be appreciated.

What is a hand finished reed compared to a handmade? I had only know of dural level, tipo a mano, and a mano, Now I am hearing hand finished.
Thanks for the help.