Post by grayn on Oct 1, 2021 14:15:04 GMT
After a near 30 year gap and much internet searching, reading, listening and watching, I decided to get
my self another melodeon. Although I could knock out a few tunes way back when, I was never
skilled. I am hoping to improve on things, this time. I wanted to go second hand, to get more bang for
buck but could not find anything that really grabbed me, locally. But, as usual with me, one of the first
boxes I spotted and went Wow! at, right at the begiining of my search, was the one I ended up
ordering from Hobgoblin, in the end.
The beauty in question is a Dino Baffetti Red Pearl II Celebration melodeon, in D/G. And after a two
day wait, it arrived this morning. It came very well packaged and in an after market gigbag/rucksac,
that Hobgoblin had put even more padding inside, for the journey. Anyway, I soon got through it all
and pulled out this rather glamorous, musical instrument. It was as I'd hoped, being a fair bit smaller
than my previous boxes (Erica & Serenellini) and in really good condition. I do not know it's age, neither
did the shop but by it's condition and the very new feel of the bellows, I'm guessing it hadn't been
played much, before. What I hadn't picked up from the shop's single photo, was that this box not
only has some lovely, artistic patterns and lettering on the red pearloid but that they were festooned
with diamante gems. Now I know that a lot of folk prefer boxes that are finished in a lovely wood grain.
Many of which have a classy and earthy vibe. But I have to say, contrary to my usual taste, I love
this very Italian styling.
So I affixed the matching, padded strap and started pressing buttons and moving bellows. And again,
it was as I'd hoped. Smooth operation, no clacking buttons and most importantly, a wonderful tone.
The "swing tuning" was dry enough to sound very sweet, with a subtle tremolo. And this box has
a powerful sound. Not harsh at all, to my ears. Just strong and vibrant. Someone had described
the bass buttons as "oafish". I'm unsure what that means but I feared it might mean that they were
over loud. But that is definitely not the case here. The treble notes ring out clearly, over the bass/chord
accompaniment.
I have a long way to go, with my playing. I managed to do a rough version of an old tune but it will
need time and it's time that I am really looking forward to. Ordering an instrument without at least
holding it, is a risk but this one seems to have paid off. The gigbag/rucksac is OK but if I ever get to
the stage of taking this beauty out with me, I'll be getting a hardcase.
my self another melodeon. Although I could knock out a few tunes way back when, I was never
skilled. I am hoping to improve on things, this time. I wanted to go second hand, to get more bang for
buck but could not find anything that really grabbed me, locally. But, as usual with me, one of the first
boxes I spotted and went Wow! at, right at the begiining of my search, was the one I ended up
ordering from Hobgoblin, in the end.
The beauty in question is a Dino Baffetti Red Pearl II Celebration melodeon, in D/G. And after a two
day wait, it arrived this morning. It came very well packaged and in an after market gigbag/rucksac,
that Hobgoblin had put even more padding inside, for the journey. Anyway, I soon got through it all
and pulled out this rather glamorous, musical instrument. It was as I'd hoped, being a fair bit smaller
than my previous boxes (Erica & Serenellini) and in really good condition. I do not know it's age, neither
did the shop but by it's condition and the very new feel of the bellows, I'm guessing it hadn't been
played much, before. What I hadn't picked up from the shop's single photo, was that this box not
only has some lovely, artistic patterns and lettering on the red pearloid but that they were festooned
with diamante gems. Now I know that a lot of folk prefer boxes that are finished in a lovely wood grain.
Many of which have a classy and earthy vibe. But I have to say, contrary to my usual taste, I love
this very Italian styling.
So I affixed the matching, padded strap and started pressing buttons and moving bellows. And again,
it was as I'd hoped. Smooth operation, no clacking buttons and most importantly, a wonderful tone.
The "swing tuning" was dry enough to sound very sweet, with a subtle tremolo. And this box has
a powerful sound. Not harsh at all, to my ears. Just strong and vibrant. Someone had described
the bass buttons as "oafish". I'm unsure what that means but I feared it might mean that they were
over loud. But that is definitely not the case here. The treble notes ring out clearly, over the bass/chord
accompaniment.
I have a long way to go, with my playing. I managed to do a rough version of an old tune but it will
need time and it's time that I am really looking forward to. Ordering an instrument without at least
holding it, is a risk but this one seems to have paid off. The gigbag/rucksac is OK but if I ever get to
the stage of taking this beauty out with me, I'll be getting a hardcase.