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Paolo Soprani Button Accordion |
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The new 3 voice Paolo Soprani Jubilee Grey button accordion is now available with a choice of 3 middle reeds (TAM) giving true tremelo, as was the style since mid 1940s and 50s, or a modern 2 middle reed and one low reed c/w tone changer/stopper. |
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The new 3 voice Paolo Soprani Jubilee Red button accordion is now available with tone change/stopper. 2 middle reeds and 1 low reed (TAM). It's lightweight frame and old style celluloid design, makes this the ideal modern accordion and because of the open grill the volume output is louder than most modern accordions.
The debate about these new accordions has been going on since I first displayed the 2 couplar Grey at the All-Ireland in Clonmel 2004. The general comment is the 'jury is still out on these accordions'. Having spent the past 3 years working on this project with the new Paolo Soprani company I am calling in the jury to assess and review the new 3 voice Jubilee Red and Grey. Below are assessments of some top musicians and I will be adding more in the near future - contact me if you want to review these boxes.
Charlie Harris (Galway) (3 voice Grey Paolo Soprani Accordion)
"Best alternative to old Grey Box available in a new accordion. Good reeds, good sound with volume and bright tone, and good response. Lightweight with very good action, also lighter than old Grey's 3 voice accordion."
Tony McMahon (Clare) - (3 voice Grey)
"Charlie Harris is the most respected in the care and maintenance of Paolo Soprani 2-row button accordions, with an unsurpassed reputation for his work on the old grey models of the 1940s. I have read his comments on the 'new' version of these famed accordions, imported by Sean Garvey, and having played/tested a C#/D model, I'm happy to endorse Charlie's every word of praise. "
"We accordion players of traditional Irish music have long complained about the hardship in finding a 1940s model, and having found one, we further complain about its astronomical cost - plus the further costs of repair & tuning - presuming, that is, that we have found a tuner/repairer of the standard of Charlie Harris - and not fallen into the trap (as I did) of someone who will only do damage - and insist on payment. In terms of cost, this new instrument (2000 - 3000 euros I understand at the moment) represents only a fraction of the cost of going down the 1940s road."
"I would heartily recommend it to my colleagues - and in my opinion we owe a big 'thank you' to Sean Garvey who has done the research, gone to the Paolo Soprani factory in Castlefidaro and convinced them to produce this accordion FOR US."
Bobby Gardiner
"Its weight and size are just right, and easy to control. It evokes in me, the 3 voice Paolo Soprani sound of the early fifties. It has the ability to bring out in the music what you are feeling which must be the test of any box. It is also very responsive both on treble and bass."
Tom Byrne (Wexford town) - (3 voice Grey)
"good light box, very responsive and with plenty of volume, easy to handle".
P J Hernan (Sligo) - (3 voice c/w stopper Red)
"good size, easy action, easy to play also easy to handle as new accordion, good solid sound".
Martin Donohoe (Cavan) - (3 voice Red)
I am pleased to say that I have been playing a new Red BC Paolo Soprani since the beginning of the year and as a player who is known for testing an accordion or as a well known trad head asked me once "have you killed many accordions",
I found the action and body of the accordion nice, t has a lighter feel and responds to the demands of a gig player, it give a good punch and has improved with playing, I expected that it would be good, given the work Sean Garvey has put into improving what has been the benchmark for button accordions in Irish Music.
Sean plays himself and improved the features so that I am glad to say that I can trust this box to be good in a beginners hands and give them confidence to grow into the music, or as a player who is thinking of changing accordions, give this red or the grey box a try, you will be surprised.
Con Herbert (Limerick) - (3 voice Red Paolo Soprani Button Accordion )
Accordion Teacher and member of the Allow Ceili Band
This accordion has a very nice action and handles very well. It has a rich tone on the two voice setting and has a very full sound on the 3 voice (including sub-octive). It is lightweight, responsive and therefore I highly recommend it.
Donal O'Reilly (Cavan) - (Grey Jubilee)
Got the accordion over a month ago I am extremely pleased. There is a lovely action and great power, and the three middle reeds give a lovely lifting tone. And what's great is how light it is. A worthy replacement for the original. A mighty session box.
Conor McCarthy (Clare) - (Grey Jubilee)
Member of Kilfenora Ceili Band
I have been playing a Grey Jubilee 2 Coupler since February 2007 when I brought it on a Carribbean Cruise for its Maiden Voyage! The Tone of the new 4 voice is a solid rich tone with great depth and resonance and the balance between the left and right hand is close to perfect. The traditional materials used and physical structure of the box give that haunting metal echo through the notes that was associated with the older grey boxes of the past. This is particularly evident while playing in three voice. Slow airs on this accordion bring to the fore the compatibility of the left and right hand. On long notes the bass seems to bring out an eerie 'ring' on the right hand which gives these notes more of a 'call'. The feel of the box and the handling response are the first signs when trying a different box and instantly this box feels right. Over the past nine months the accordion has been maturing very well, the notes improve with playing and the bellows and keyboard offer assistance instead of the resistance a lot of us box players come up against. To be able to order a box of this quality in a reasonable timeframe and budget is a blessing in these days of outrageously overpriced "originals"
Maith Thú Sean Garvey
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Sean Garvey |
Tel: + 353 (0) 1 4502189 |