hohner accordion sales guide

ACCORDION SALES GUIDE

In 1857 a young German clockmaker, Matthias Hohner, established the firstproduction facility for harmonica manufacturing in Trossingen, Germany. U.S. offices

were established in 1901, which were integral in growing the business to becomethe largest manufacturer of free-reed instruments in the world.

Given the worldwide success of its harmonicas, at the turn ofthe 20th century the “House of Hohner” expanded production toinclude accordion manufacturing. In 1903, Hohner built an

accordion factory — the first of its kind.

Much speculation surroundswhen and who introduced the

diatonic accordion to Mexico andTexas. What is known is the clearly evi-

dent German influence in Texas — theyfounded the Texan city of New Braunfels &can also be traced to northern cities inMexico such as Monterrey. Like diatonicmodels, piano accordions also have a longtradition in the German and Mexican community.

Today, over 100 years after the first Hohner accordions were introduced,we still design them in-house using state-of-the-art equipment. Our founda-tion of old world craftsmanship, combined with the latest in manufacturingtechnology, produces instruments that meet the toughest demands of theworld’s greatest accordion players!

HOHNER Factory, 1857

HOHNER Factory Today

Matthias Hohner1833-1902

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THE HOHNER LEGACY

SOME FAMOUSHOHNER PLAYERS

and many more …

FLACO JIMENEZ

CYNNI

ROB HYMAN

TERRANCE SIMIEN

DAVID HIDALGO

QUEEN IDA

SUNNY SAUCEDA

LARRY GOLDINGS

JORGE HERNANDEZ

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Buckwheat ZydecoJoe DerraneSkip EdwardsLarry Goldings

JAMES TAYLOR

Jorge HernandezLOS TIGRES DEL NORTE

David HidalgoLOS LOBOS

Rob HymanTHE HOOTERS

Flaco Jimenez

Santiago Jimenez, Jr.Steve “Esteban” JordanQueen IdaCynni Rangel

CHICAS DE CANELA

Sunny SaucedaTerrance Simien

BUCKWHEATZYDECO

WHY SELL HOHNERACCORDIONS?

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• Every Hohner accordion is hand-checked prior to shipping.

• Instrument quality and value are unsurpassed.

• Hohner offers in-house accordion service which includes parts,repair and custom tuning for full customer/product support.

• Accordion music is hot! From Tex-Mex/Norteño, to Rock, Folk &Country music, the sound of the accordion is everywhere.

• Accordions offer great opportunities to maximize your sales persquare foot, making the most of your store’s revenueopportunities.

• Accordions aren’t carried by every store — therefore, theyrepresent a unique opportunity for sales and profits.

DIATONIC ACCORDIONSCORONA II CLASSIC (#HA-3522)

This accordion is made with the professional in mind … ideal for Tex-Mex,Norteño, Vallenato, and Zydeco players.

COLORS: Brown Pearl, Jet Black, Light Blue Pearl, Red Pearl, White Pearl,Green Pearl, Orange Pearl, Blue Pearl, Red-White-Green Pearl, Purple Pearl,Fantasy (multi-colored pearloid) and White Tiger.

KEY COMBINATIONS: EAD, FbEb (FBE), GCF, and ADG (see pg. 15 for more info)

KEY FEATURES: Wooden fingerboard, double strap brackets, adjustable bass straps,and protective gig bag included.

Made in Germany

WEIGHT: 9 lbs

SIZE: 7.5" deep by 12" high

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $2350

HOHNERPRODUCTS OVERVIEW

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THE EXTREME SERIES

The Corona Xtreme is made for the professional musician who demands qualityand functionality. These accordions give the artist the ability to use different toneswith their recording and performing needs.

COLORS: Jet Black, Pearl Red, Pearl Gray

KEY COMBINATIONS: EAD, FbEb (FBE), GCF and ADG; BbEbAb available for CoronaXtreme III V

FEATURES: 34 Buttons, 3 Switch and 5 Switch, Pearloid Buttons, Upgraded Gig Bag& Upgraded Straps Included

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: Xtreme III N $3350, Xtreme II $2750, Xtreme III V $3450

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Hohner is happy to announce the new Xtreme line of diatonic accordions: theCorona II (Tex-Mex) Xtreme, Corona III N (Norteño) Xtreme, and Corona III V(Vallenato) Xtreme.

BbEbAb

also available!

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CORONA II 3500 (#HA-3500)

The Corona II gives the professional musician the ability to own a great accordionat a more affordable price. For many years this model was made in Germany,today it is made in China using machinery from our factory In Germany. A greataccordion for a reasonable price.

COLORS: Pearl Red

KEY COMBINATIONS: GCF, FBE

FEATURES: 31 buttons, celluloid fingerboard, one strap included, case or gig bagsold separately.

WEIGHT: 9 LBS.



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CORONA III (#CORONA-III)

Hohner’s Corona III accordion is similar in appearance to the Corona II, but hasa 3-voice tremolo and 4 sets of bass reeds. Best suited for Vallenato, Cumbiaand Meringue styles. Padded gig bag included, optional hard shell 12X caseavailable.

COLORS: Pearl Red

KEY COMBINATIONS: FBbEb, GCF, ADG, and BbEbAb


WEIGHT: 10 LBS.



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PANTHER (#HA-3100)

This accordion is ideal for the beginning student, but also used by professionals.This affordable Panther accordion shares many of the same quality features as theother 3-row Hohner accordions. Optional hard shell 12X case or padded gig bagavailable.

COLOR: Matte Black

KEY COMBINATION: GCF

FEATURES: 31 buttons, double strap brackets, box and straps sold separately

WEIGHT: 9 LBS.


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EL REY DEL VALLENATO

This accordion expands Hohner’s economy line to a 3-voice model craftedespecially for the Vallenato musician. Featuring a handy adjustable bass strap and wide open bass grille for enhanced projection.

COLORS: Red, Orange, Yellow, Violet or Black; Matte Finish

KEY COMBINATIONS: ADG, EAD, GCF, BbEbAb and FBbEb


WEIGHT: 11.5 LBS.

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $1150.00

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COMPADRE

This accordion is the perfect 2-voice model for both beginning & experiencedplayers alike! Features include an adjustable left-hand strap & redesigned wideopen web grille, allowing for even greater volume while providing solidprotection.

COLORS: Red, Orange, Yellow, Violet or Black; Matte Finish

KEY COMBINATIONS: ADG, GCF, FBbEb, BEbAb and EAD


WEIGHT: 8.75 LBS.

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $925.00

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ERICA (#HA-3000)

The Erica is a wonderful diatonic accordion for Cumbia, English Country Dance,Morris Dance, Sea Chanteys and American Folk music. With 2 rows of treblebuttons, the Erica offers a solid wooden housing with celluloid finish. Optionalhard shell 10X case available.

COLORS: Pearl Red

KEY COMBINATIONS: GC, AD and CF


Made in China

WEIGHT: 6 LBS.

SIZE: 6" deep by 11" high


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MORGANE

The Morgane is highly regarded as the diatonic accordion of choice for bothGaelic and Breton music.

COLORS: NATURAL

KEY COMBINATIONS: GC, AD, DG and BC

FEATURES: 21 buttons, 8 bass buttons, one strap included, case or gig bag soldseparately.

Made in China

WEIGHT: 7.3 LBS.

SIZE: 6.1" deep by 11.2" high


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HA-2815English Country Dance& American Folk

HA-114Cajun &Québécois Dance

CONCERTINAFolk & Sea Chanteys

OTHER HOHNER DIATONIC ACCORDIONS:

Cajun & Other Folk Styles

DOUBLE-RAYIrish

ARIETTE

CORSOPolka & Traditional

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10X INSIDE DIMENSIONS:13" high by 11" wide by 7.5" deep

12X INSIDE DIMENSIONS:15" high by 14" wide by 8.5" deep

CGB INSIDE DIMENSIONS:13" high by 13" wide by 8" deep

CONG INSIDE DIMENSIONS:8.5" wide by 8.5" high

10X and 12X CaseThese hard-shell black carrying casesare lined with plush black material.Red Hohner logo printed on exterior.

10X Case fits accordion modelsHA-1622, HA-2815 and HA-3000.

12X Case fits accordion modelsHA-1600, HA-3100, HA-3500,HA-3522 and the Corona III.

CGB Corona Gig BagMade specifically to fit Hohner’sCorona and Corso accordion models,this top quality gig bag will cushionand protect your valuable instrument.

CONG Concertina Gig BagIf you own a concertina, be sure totransport it safely in this tailor-madefoam padded gig bag.

Instruction BookThe Art of Playing HOHNERDiatonic Accordions (40 pages)

A complete course of instruction for alltypes of German and Vienna modelsof Diatonic Accordions. Includesoriginal exercises, compositions andarrangements.

ACC3 StrapsHohner’s accordion straps offer thesame durability, versatility and valueyou’ve come to expect from one of theworld’s oldest accordion makers.Designed for maximum comfort witheasy adjustability, these straps fit anysize piano or button accordion. Made oftough, long lasting fabric they won’tcrack like ordinary vinyl straps.

DIATONIC ACCORDION ACCESSORIES

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1. WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS KEY CONFIGURATIONS FOR BUTTON ACCORDIONS?

The most common key configurations are (in no particular order): • GCF or SOL (Spanish)

• EAD or MI (Spanish)

• FBbEb or FA (Spanish)

• ADG or LA (Spanish)

2. WHAT ACCORDION KEY SHOULD I BUY?

This is a matter of personal preference. If you want to play songs just like yourfavorite band, buy the accordion(s) that they use. The GCF accordion is the mostcommon in terms of availability, however the most widely used key configuration inNorteño music is FBbEb.Eventually you'll get the itch to sing the songs that you play on your accordion. Youshould consider what keys your voice can adapt to.

3. WHAT KEYS CAN I PLAY ON A GCF? EAD? FBbEb? ADG?

Here is a list of keys that can be easily played on different key configurations:• GCF: D, G, C, F, Bb • EAD: B, E, A, D, G • FBbEb: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab • ADG: E, A, D, G, C

4. DO YOU PLAY THE BASS BUTTONS?

Some music genres do use the basses. However, for Norteño/ Conjunto music, thebass buttons are generally not used. In fact, many accordionists choose to removethe bass reed blocks to reduce the weight of the accordion. The removal alsoprovides extra air release outlets for the bellows, which in turn helps to pull or pushthe bellows more quickly.

COMMONLY ASKED DIATONICACCORDION QUESTIONS

KEY OF GCFBUTTON DIAGRAM

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BELLOWS OUT BELLOWS IN

for 31-key models

KEY OF EADBUTTON DIAGRAM

18for 31-key models

KEY OF FBbEbBUTTON DIAGRAM

19for 31-key models

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The Ventura is a state-of-the-art and versatile accordion which is suited to the mostvaried musical styles. For accordionists who are more oriented towards Europeanmusic, the Ventura is also available in Musette tuning.

COLORS: Black

TUNING: Ventura IV 96 & Ventura IV 120 = Double Octave with Tremolo; also availablewith Musette tuning (Ventura IV 96 M [special order only] & Ventura IV 120 M)

Made in Germany

WEIGHT: Ventura IV 96 & Musette = 22.9 lbs., Ventura IV 120 & Musette = 24.3 lbs.


SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: Ventura IV 96 = $6395; Ventura IV 120 & 120 M = $7195

PIANO ACCORDIONSVENTURA

The Amica IV Series feature piano accordions with a pitch range of up to 41 treblekeys with piccolo reeds, yet weighs in at less than 22 pounds. The added 4th voiceallows 11 different timbre selections, making it the perfect choice for orchestralaccordionists.

COLORS: Black

TUNING: Double Octave with Tremolo

KEY FEATURES: Custom adjustable straps & hard case with attachable trolley included

Made in Germany

WEIGHT: Amica IV 96 = 20.1 lbs., Amica IV 120 = 21.6 lbs.


SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: Amica IV 96 = $3095; Amica IV 120 = $3595

AMICA

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The Bravo series features rugged and musically versatile instruments offeringperformance features formerly exclusive to more expensive instruments. A goodexample is the use of the T-keyboard, enabling both outstanding playability and easeof service. Partnering with accordion teachers and students alike led the Bravodevelopment team to build the instrument as light as possible.

COLORS: Black, Blue Pearl, Red Pearl or White Pearl

TUNING: Continental Tremolo (except Bravo II 48 = Tremolo)

KEY FEATURES: Lightweight and tear resistant gig bag & adjustable textile straps

Made in Germany

WEIGHT: Bravo II 48 = 11 lbs., Bravo III 72 = 16.25 lbs., Bravo III 80 & Bravo III 96 =19 lbs., Bravo III 120 = 20.3 lbs.


SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: Bravo II 48 = $1195, Bravo III 72 = $1395, Bravo III 80 =$1695, Bravo III 96 = $1795, Bravo III 120 = $1895

BRAVO

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HOHNICA

COLORS: Red Pearl

TUNING: Tremolo [except Hohnica 2353 = Continental Tremolo]

Made in China

WEIGHT: Hohnica 1302 = 10 lbs., Hohnica 2352 = 12.5 lbs., Hohnica 2353 = 17.5 lbs.

SIZE: Hohnica 1302 = 6.5" deep x 12.5" high, Hohnica 2352 = 7.3" deep x 13" high,Hohnica 2353 = 7.3" deep x 16" high

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: Hohnica 1302 = $349, Hohnica 2352 = $549,Hohnica 2353 = $795

Hohnica accordions provideplayability for thebudget-minded musician.Entry-level players especiallyenjoy making music witheconomical Hohnicaaccordions. All Hohnicasinclude a hardshell case& straps.

#1302• 12 Bass Buttons• 25 Treble Keys



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MORINO IV 120$10,595

MORINO V 120$11,695

OTHER HOHNER PIANO ACCORDIONS:

GOLA 414$45,595 BASE PRICE

MORINO IV 120“Slavko Avsenik RETRO”$11,895

PIANO ACCORDION ACCESSORIES

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AGB 72 Gig BagINSIDE DIMENSIONS: 17.5" x 17.5" x 7"

FITS: Bravo III 72 and Hohnica 2353

AGB 120 Gig BagINSIDE DIMENSIONS: 20.5" x 18" x 8"

FITS: Bravo III 96 and Bravo III 120

AGB 48 Gig BagINSIDE DIMENSIONS: 14.5" x 14.5" x 6"

FITS: Bravo II 48, Nova II 48, Hohnica 1302 and Hohnica 2352

Hohner is proud to provide you comfort-

able and safe accordion travel options. The

gig bags and straps shown are perfect to

equip your existing instrument. Let Hohner

help you choose the size which best suits

your needs.

Manufactured by Warwick exclusively for

Hohner, these gig bags are available in three

different sizes. Every Hohner bag cushions

your valuable instrument with an inch of

padding surrounding the instrument from

every angle. The black heavy-duty woven

nylon gig bags can either be carried like a

backpack with the adjustable padded nylon

shoulder straps, or like a suitcase, by the

sturdy, extra-cushioned handle.

The rip-resistant nylon lining cradles the

accordion, while heavy straps and plastic

clasps hold it in place. Dual side zippers

make it easy to remove the instrument and

pyramid-shaped feet protect the bottom

of the bag.

Hohner’s accordion

straps offer the same

durability, versatility and

value you’ve come to

expect from one of the

world’s oldest accordion

makers. Designed for

maximum comfort with

easy adjustability, these

straps fit any size piano

or button accordion.

Made of tough, long

lasting fabric they won’t

crack like ordinary vinyl

straps.

ACC3 Straps

SIZE DOES MATTERAccordions are sized according to the number of bass buttons, 12 bass, 48 bass 72 bassand 120 bass being the most common sizes. Other sizes are available but they all stillfollow the same pattern of bass buttons.

BASS BUTTON LAYOUTEach vertical row usually has 6 buttons laid out thus: (from top to bottom) Bass/tonic ofchord, major, minor, seventh, diminished and a counter bass button which is a thirdabove the tonic. This enables bass runs and tunes to be played without the chords.

48 BASSA 48 bass, for example, would have 8 rows each containing this pattern of chords andnotes: Eb, Bb F, C, G, D, A and E. This is a perfect size to learn on, having 2 octaves on thekeyboard side, and 8 rows in the bass, which gives you a decent range to begin with andis not too overfacing when starting out.

72 & 120 BASSA 72 bass provides all the sharp and flat keys in the bass and is fully chromatic with aslightly longer keyboard. Classical players will go to a 120 bass if they possibly canbecause of the longer 41 key keyboard, which particularly suits piano players, and repeti-tion of some chords at the bass end which offers greater versatility. But, this large instru-ment is often rejected by “folky” players partly because of its lack of portability — alsobecause there aren’t many folk tunes that require such an extensive range!

WATCH YOUR WEIGHTOne problem that accordion players often have, particularly later in life, is that a 72 bassmodel or larger, which offers a good range, is very large and heavy, and many players findthemselves moving to a 48 bass so that they can continue to play without sustaininginjury, or perhaps worse, gradually falling over forwards mid-tune!

REDUCING STRAINThere are some precautions players can take to increase comfort and reduce strain. It isimportant to sit correctly and have the straps adjusted to suit you, and it’s worth having alesson or two to make sure you are getting this right. A backstrap, which pulls theshoulder straps together at the back, can take some of the strain off your neck and back.

PIANO ACCORDION SIZES

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CHOOSING AN ACCORDIONThe Piano Accordion tends to suit beginners who can already read music or play the piano, as the instrument isvery logically laid out, and of course has a familiar keyboard.

HOW MANY BASSES?The size of the instrument is usually denoted by the number of basses. These basses are arranged in rows of 6buttons for each key: counter bass, bass, then major chord, minor, seventh, and diminished.

A 120 bass with 41 treble keys is the full size model, and the bass end offers a chromatic scale, and all thechords, arranged in 6 rows of 20. An 80 bass has 5 rows of 16 (omitting the diminished row), and a 37 notekeyboard. A 72 bass has a 34 note keyboard, but retains the 6 row bass.

The most popular size, and ideal for beginners, is the 48 bass, usually with 6 rows of 8, allowing accompani-ment in the keys of Bb, F, C, G, D, & A. The treble keyboard on the 48, 32, and 12 bass models usually has 26keys, enough for most tunes, but limiting for a pianist.

TUNINGS AND OTHER FACTORSMany players have to compromise between portability and range of notes. 48 and 72 bass are the best optionsfor most folk musicians, but you only get the full range of notes, and variety of sound from the registers on a fullsize 120 bass.

Most 2 voice Accordions are tuned with a moderate amount of tremolo, 3 voice have the low octave as well,and musette models have three sets of reeds tuned quite far apart in a strong tremolo, plus a low octave set.

WHAT’S A TONE CHAMBER?Also called a “cassotto,” a tone chamber is a second long wood or aluminum box inside the accordion. One ortwo of the reed banks are mounted inside (usually the clarinet or middle octave reeds and/or the bassoon orlow reeds). The chamber takes the metallic reedy edge off the sound. Sometimes in case of the “clarinet” reeds(that often come as a pair of reed banks on larger instruments), one bank will be in the chamber and one out-side so that the player has a choice. Tone chambers add to the weight and expense of an accordion.

WHAT IS A “FREE BASS” ACCORDION?Most accordions have buttons on the bass side that play pre-set chords. On a “free bass” instrument the buttonsonly play individual notes — the chords must be constructed like on a piano. This gives the player freedom to dochord inversions or come up with more variety of chords than can be gotten otherwise. It also allows playing ofmelodies in the bass. A few accordions are free bass only. Others allow for switching back and forth betweenfree bass and standard pre-set chords.

WHAT IS “WET TUNING?”When one bank of reeds of the same octave is tuned slightly off from another, a beat or fluctuation of soundresults. This gives a distinctive character to the sound and is frequently used in certain folk music. The “wetter”the tuning, the more pronounced the beating. Sometimes three reed banks are used: one stays at pitch, one istuned slightly higher, the other slightly lower. The result is sometimes referred to as “continental musette” or“true musette.” Many older Italian accordions have a very slight de-tuning of one reed bank, creating a subtlechorus effect. Larger instruments with multiple register switches will give the player a choice whether to play“wet” or “dry.”

PIANO ACCORDION FAQ

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ENVIRONMENT� Play it regularly, a good way to avoid moths in the felt, woodworm in the ends, etc.

� If you would be uncomfortable in a room, so would your instrument. • It likes moderate and constant temperature and humidity. • Environmental extremes or rapid fluctuations invite trouble.

� There are glue joints and wax inside your squeezebox that are easily affected bytemperature extremes. • Please don’t leave your instrument in the trunk of your car on a hot or cold day formore than a few minutes. If you have to travel by car in hot weather, the trunk is theworst possible place for your squeezebox to be.

• Don’t leave it next to a heating or a/c duct, or in a sunny window.

� Don’t store it in your attic or basement. Don’t play it outside in the rain. If yourinstrument does get wet, get it to a dry place and leave it to air-dry with thebellows open.

� Dust and other particles are the enemy. • Keep your instrument away from workbenches and any sanding, sawing, paintingor refinishing work.

• Keep it in its case when not in use.

� If your keys or buttons stick and you have been keeping your squeezebox in the caseon the floor, put it on a top shelf. High humidity often causes sticking.

� If you must play your instrument outdoors: • Before storing each time, wipe the case carefully so dust cannot find its way tothe reeds.

• Keep dust and dirt out of the bellows gussets and folds by cleaning them from timeto time with a soft brush.

� The following exchange took place on the squeezebox newsgroup in May 1996:

Does anyone know of a good source or know of maintenance techniques forone’s piano accordion?

The best preventative maintenance for an accordion is to keep it out of the hot directsun, out of moist humid conditions, NEVER take it to the ocean (salt air will rust thereeds quickly), and avoid conditions that cause moisture condensation.

CARE & FEEDING OFSQUEEZEBOXES

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TRAVEL� When traveling with an accordion, store the instrument upside down, bass buttons

down. If the accordion is bumped, it can “swallow” the bass mechanism.

• Yes, accordion buttons were designed to be depressed, but when all of the buttonsare moved at the same time due to gravity working on the whole bass mechanism,the apparatus most likely will dive under the board that locates the buttons. This islikely to happen even under considerably less severe bumps such as those sufferedduring a plane landing, car hitting a bump or the thump when a baggage handlerignores your HANDLE WITH CARE signs.

� How to prevent this

• If you will have the accordion with you, store it upside down in vehicles and planes,with plenty of padding under it. Or on the side with the bass side facing down.

• For airplane cargo holds or shipping where you don’t have control over theorientation of the instrument, it is best to remove the bass mechanics cover underthe wrist strap and insert a strip of cardboard as a “stopper” on the button stop rail toprevent excess movement of the mechanism. This is common for accordions shippedby the manufacturers. Make sure you have it fully insured!

• Best solution is to get a form-fitting padded nylon or cordura carrying case andremove the shoulder straps. Then you can take your accordion on an airplane ascarry-on luggage.

PLAYING� Don’t play the instrument while it is colder than the surrounding air. This will

condense moisture on the reeds, which will lead to rusting. Give the instrument timeto acclimatize before playing.

� Never smoke when you play the accordion. The cellulose nitrate outside coating isextremely flammable. Don’t play close to fires, or lighted candles.

� If you rest an accordion on your knee to play, make sure you rest the wooden end,not the bellows.

� If you allow a beginner/child to hold your instrument, remember to ask them toalways press a key before moving the bellows.

� Don’t play an accordion with worn and fragile shoulder straps. If a strap breaks whileyou’re playing or carrying an old accordion, it could be disastrous.

CARE & FEEDING continued

30

CLEANING� Avoid using oils or commercial leather preparations on the bellows — they will attract

dust. If the bellows start to dry and crack, try using a humidifier in the room and in thecarrying case. If you must, use saddle soap or mink oil sparingly to condition theleather. This can safely used on the leather straps as well.

� The plastic parts of your instrument may be dissolved or marred by harsh cleaners orsolvents, such as denatured alcohol. Clean with a damp rag dipped in mild soapywater (Murphy’s Oil Soap is safe), or with an instrument-safe cleaner such asDr. Duck’s Ax Wax.

� Avoid applying oil to sticking metal parts. It attracts dust and can foul your reeds. Mostinstruments don’t need lubrication if they are kept clean, dry and dust-free.

• If they really need lubrication, use a silicone liquid such as locksmiths use. Itevaporates, leaving behind the lubricant. WD-40 can be used very sparingly to freesticking keys and bass mechanisms, but be sure to wipe off any excess, and underno circumstances spray anywhere near the reeds.

• You may also use watch oil sparingly. It is formulated not to creep.

CARRYING AND STORAGE

� Don’t carry the instrument with the weight of one end dangling from the bellows.Always fasten the bellows straps.

� Don’t store your accordion on its side, so that the reed valves inside are parallel to thefloor. The leathers on the bottom will eventually become permanently curled open.

� Store your accordion in the same position that it is played in, relative to the floor.Some people might think of this as on the side of the case. People most commonlystore an accordion in its case with the handle facing up. This is fine if the accordiondoes not have a tone chamber, but if it does, this will put some of the skins parallel tothe floor. The simplest general rule is to store it with the handle of the case not on top,but on one side.

� If your accordion case has an unreliable locking mechanism, carry the case so that if itpops open, the lid will hit your leg instead of opening all the way and dumping theaccordion on the sidewalk.

CARE & FEEDING continued

31

hohner accordion sales guide

Documents

long lasting

suggested

ordinary vinyl

double strap

diatonic accordions

straps fit

shoulder straps

blue pearl