Check out our SHIPPING page.

Accordions, especially vintage, are vulnerable to shipping damage and require special packing.

Shipping to Customer:

1) Continental US only

2) We use UPS ground, insured for full value, with a signature required for delivery

3) Option: Ship to a UPS store for pickup at the buyer's convenience

4) $85 flat rate includes thorough protective packing, shipping fee and insurance

Shipping to Accordionology:

1) Customer is responsible for safe delivery to us, and for any cost related to shipping damage. We recommend insuring for full value of the instrument. In case of damage, customer is responsible to enter a claim (Accordionology will help with info for the claim).

2) To reduce risk of damage follow all instructions on our SHIPPING page.

Checkout our Warranties + Returns page!

Checkout our Warranties + Returns page!

Accordionology is working on the website. This section is COMING SOON!

Unlike pianos and other string instruments that require frequent tuning, accordions can maintain their tune for many years if cared for properly and shielded from extreme temperature, humidity, moisture, and other adverse conditions. However, even with proper maintenance, accordions will eventually need tuning by a professional.

Tuning a neglected accordion can be a significant task due to the numerous reeds it contains. Consider a typical professional model:

4 Sets of 41 Treble Reeds = 164 Reeds x 2 Sides = 328 Treble Reed Tongues

5 Sets of 12 Bass Reeds = 60 Reeds x 2 Sides = 120 Bass Reed Tongues

Totaling 448 reed tongues that require correct pitch!

A thorough tuning process involves servicing the reeds to ensure proper positioning of wax, valves, and tongues on each side. Subsequently, the reeds need filing, pitch tuning, and fine-tuning to ensure they harmonize within the accordion. We're delighted to offer comprehensive reed servicing and tuning at our shop. Reach out to us for a repair quote, which will be based on the number of reeds needing service and tuning.

Check out our SHIPPING page that shows how we ship accordions to you, and tips on how we recommend you ship accordions to us!

Accordions are distinct musical instruments featuring individual metal reeds for each pitch. These reeds are designed on both sides to produce tones when air is pushed and pulled. If an accordion were to utilize only one set of reeds for each note, the resulting sound would lack depth. Instead, most accordions incorporate multiple reeds per note, akin to organs with various stops for octave and tremolo control.

Accordion registers allow for the selection of different reed combinations, offering a diverse range of sounds. Common register switches and their corresponding sound profiles are as follows:

L (Low): Equivalent to a 16' organ pipe.

M (Middle): Similar to an 8' organ pipe.

H (High): Comparable to a 4' organ pipe.

Register Combinations Using 3 Reed Octaves:

LM (Low + Middle): Produces a deep, resonant tone similar to a Bandoneon.

MH (Middle + High): Emits a bright, vibrant sound reminiscent of an Oboe.

LH (Low + High): Creates a rich, transparent tone akin to an Organ.

LMH (Low + Middle + High): Offers a harmonious blend of deep, middle, and high tones, resembling a Harmonium.

Accordions have reeds that are either L M or H (Low, Middle, or High) in pitch. Often times an accordion will have more than one middle voice allowing for "musette" tuning. To use these reeds in different combinations, you use "register switches", which allow you to hear one or more of those reeds at a time while pressing a note. The register switches are available for both the right and left hand side of the accordion. The names can change depending on country of origin and manufacturer, but common register options are: Bassoon(L), Bandoneon(LM), Clarinet(M), Organ(LH), Violin/Musette(MM), Piccolo(H)

Hertz (Hz) and Cents measure different aspects of sound and don't have a simple conversion. The human ear perceives intervals based on frequency ratios, not absolute differences. For example, 200 Hz to 300 Hz and 300 Hz to 450 Hz both sound like a perfect fifth despite different Hz differences. Cents use a logarithmic scale to measure these intervals more accurately:

Near 440 Hz, a 2 Hz difference is about 8 cents.

An octave lower, 1 Hz is about 8 cents.

An octave higher, 1 Hz is about 2 cents.

Similar to thickening the accordion's sound vertically through octave additions, we can broaden its tonal richness horizontally by incorporating extra reeds at the same octave level. Typically, this augmentation involves introducing reeds to the middle octave (notated as M = 8'). However, certain accordion models offer options such as double bassoon settings where the lower octave (L = 16') reeds are also doubled.

Increasing the number of reeds at the same octave level amplifies the instrument's volume and depth. Yet, what truly defines an accordion's unique sound is the deliberate detuning of middle reeds to induce a slow or fast tremolo effect. The tremolo speed correlates with the frequency of "beats" perceived per second when the detuned sound waves interact and cancel each other out.

For instance, in German 2 Reed Tremolo Tuning:

M = A440hz

M+ = A444hz

The number of Beats per Second is calculated by subtracting the base frequency from the detuned frequency: 444hz - 440hz = 4 hz, resulting in 4 beats per second.

While the term "musette" is commonly used to describe this effect in a broad sense, authentic French musette accordions feature three middle reeds configured as follows:

French 3 Reed Musette Tuning:

M- = A435hz

M = A440hz

M+ = A445hz

The number of Beats per Second is calculated symmetrically by subtracting the base frequency from the higher and lower detuned frequencies: 445hz - 440hz = 440hz - 435hz = 5hz, resulting in 5 beats per second when doubled.

Below, we outline some common tunings. It's worth noting that tuning is often discussed in "cents," indicating the percentage of detuning from the next half step. For instance, in German Tremolo tuning, transitioning from A440hz to A444hz results in 4 beats per second, equating to a 15% detuning, or 15 cents. As a rough guide, approximately 1 hz equates to 3.5 cents in the middle range of the keyboard.

0 hz = 0 cents = Unison (Dry, Secco) - Classical, Balkan

0.5hz = 2 cents = Concert (Violin, Swing Secco) - Jazz, Tango, Cleveland Polka

1hz = 4 cents = Swing (Swing Mosso), Gypsy Jazz, Brazilian, Klezmer

2hz = 7 cents = Demi-Swing (Mezzo Swing), Irish

2.5hz = 10 cents = American (Americano), Cajun, Quebecois

3hz = 12 cents = Moderate Tremolo, Slovenian, Tex-Mex, Alpine

4hz = 15 cents = Standard Tremolo, German, Italian

5hz = 18 cents = Fast Tremolo, Modern French

6hz = 22 cents = Very Fast Tremolo, Old French, Old Italian, Italiano Mosso

7hz = 25 cents = Extremely Fast Tremolo (Sardo) - Scottish

We're pleased to offer custom tuning services tailored to your preferences. Please don't hesitate to contact us for a quote, which will be based on the number of individual reeds requiring detuning.

Accordionology (noun): The study and exploration of all aspects related to accordions, including their history, construction, playing techniques, cultural significance, and the music composed for and performed on them. This field encompasses academic research, practical musicianship, and the preservation and promotion of accordion traditions worldwide!

While it can be addictive, you should only buy enough. You’ll know when you’ve bought enough ;)

Absolutely! There is no need to look that up for confirmation, because it is undeniable!

That all depends on how much you practice when they are home!