The Accordion Geek Prevails and Proceeds!

For size comparison's sake, that's my iPhone in my BookBook case.

The slow reveal!

Voilá! Red Cream Pearloid Perfection!

So after much debate and almost quitting the instrument for fear of going into it too fast, spending too much, I have upgraded to a more "pro" instrument.

Thanks to Bob Boyd and a vendor that he trusts, John Castiglione of Castiglione Accordions in Warren Michigan, I purchased a vintage but mint condition Castiglione Model 408VC. A 120 bass, 41 Key, 4/2 Reed, 16", Luscious Red and Cream Pearloid beauty that looks a bit more like a vintage 50's hot rod than an accordion.

And boy does it sound good!! Love the pearloid keys, like new bellows and the buttons...oh the buttons! I had no idea how hard that Hohner was to play until I played this! I guess one good thing to be said about the hohner, is that it helped build up some strength! :)

So I'm back to lessons with Bob, following the standard for all accordion students Palmer-Hughes Accordion Book 1.

John at Castiglione Accordions is a very interesting man. He's 2nd or 3rd generation running this store, over 80 years in business! The man knows his accordions! He also took really good care of me. He made sure the C408 was in tip top shape, tuned, and included not only the red italian leather straps that came with it (that were still in good to great condition), he threw in a new set of black extra padded italian leather straps, PLUS a brand new tolex covered case! All for a very modest price, at least in the land of accordions...where prices can be as steep as $8000 +!!

Accordion Geek...Yup, guilty as charged!

What more can I say :) except... I have a long way to go and I'm going to need a better accordion to do it! The Hohner is small and portable, it's also been a good way to start but it's limitations and nowhere near concert pitch is a problem playing with others!

Time to call Liberty Bellows and move up... I'll post my progress!

G.A.S. Report — ACQUIRED: NUAD & NAGD

(NUAD = New-to-me Used Accordion Day & NAGD = New Acoustic Guitar Day!)

Yes, that's right, I've been busy!

Weekend before last, my family was in Gainesville, MO, out in front of our vacation house playing acoustic guitar with a friend. Someone started to play the song "Kiss Me" by Six Pence None The Richer and I made the comment how fun it would be to put my guitar down and pic up an accordion and play that actual accordion part in the song!

So I did some research and found a great company in Phildelphia, PA named Liberty Bellows. That's mostly what they do, sell new and used (they refurb all used they sell to perfect playing condition) accordions & concertinas!

I ended up getting the above Hohner MM12 Student model from 1950...something in it's original case. It's fairly used but plays so great!! It has that true french musette sound I was craving. No polkas here...okay well maybe I'll learn the Chicken Dance song, eh? I also picked up the trusty Palmer-Hughes Accordion 1 book that everyone starts on. I may take some lessons from Mr. Bob Boyd though.

Next up:
I sold my beloved 2005 Fender Malibu, with soft v mahogany neck and solid top spruce, solid back mahogany and laminated sides. I loved it for it being so very fender, but unfortunately that also meant it sounded and played like a Fender acoustic guitar.... you know, crap! :(

My good friend Bryon Knight from Little Rock Frets purchased it for his son. Actually, I take it back, it doesn't play and sound like crap, it just didn't meet my needs when traveling. IT was actually a very very good low volume office guitar that I will miss. His son should really love it too!

I replaced it with the Taylor GS Mini Mahogany Top! LOVE IT! It's perfect. Plays like a Taylor. Sounds like a taylor! Nice case too. I plan to travel with it a lot and also bring to the office on a regular basis.

My watershed moment: Piano is fun but nothing like playing guitar!

Well, I made a decision about my musical future, at least the near future. After seriously pursuing and playing the piano for almost a year, I'm heading back to guitar full time.

And to commemorate this "re-connection" with my musical past, I've invested in a better instrument to hone my skills on. In tennis, often instructors and players say to always "play up!" The same goes for music, IMHO.

I acquired a NOS 2007 Taylor GC5e. Wester Red Cedar top, solid South American Tropical Mahogany sides and back. It has the famed ES (expression system) built in, which, incidentally, is one of the best renditions of an acoustic sound I've ever heard amplified! It has a slotted headstock, which I love on my Kala Ukulele. It's almost perfect, just need to get a proper set up after the guitar has settled into my home and then I'll have it as I like!

Alabama Shakes

Give them a listen, buy their albums, support a great home grown band making REAL music!!! No auto tune here baby, just pure soul and southern rock!

G.A.S. Report — ACQUIRED: Fender Mustang III

So I finally got sick of everyone running from the room when I picked up the guitar and turned on my Fender Super Sonic 60. That thing was just outrageously too loud. :(

So it is for sale (I put it and many other items for sale at Little Rock Frets) and replaced with this nifty modeling amp from Fender. It's so nifty that it's allowed me to get rid of my pedals, pedal board, and just use the 4 button, 2 button footswitches and an expression pedal that fender also supplies! LOVE IT!

G.A.S. Report — ACQUIRED: Danelectro 56 Pro

FINALLY! I found one in Baby Blue! It's so lovely. Great condition, right price, great guy in Tulsa who has it listed on Craigslist and connected with me via a post I made on TDPRI.com.

Can't stop playing it!