Melodeon conversions, we love them!
We specialise in custom conversions. it is what we do best. We can convert the key , typically CF to DG or custom tunings such as a D/D# preciosa or one rows typically to D. We add thirds stops to knock the thirds out of the chords and carry out 12 bass conversions of pretty much any 8 bass. We make custom reed blocks to house different bass reeds and can drop the octave to give a lower richer bass. When we weight bass reeds we can use brass weights to make them appear original . If required we can re-reed a box with modern reeds . Whatever you want we will find a way to do it!
So why buy a conversion?
Availability. Some models are simply not available in the tuning or layout you may want. For example, a lilliput or preciosa, these were only ever available in Bb/Eb or C/F the bass end only ever had 8 basses. The reed size for these great little boxes are no longer available and there is virtually nothing on the market which compares to these. So why not have 12 bass D/G conversion?
The Sound! many of today’s boxes strive toward a pure woody sound which is lovely but not the only game in town. Particularly the old Club accordions were built to an super high spec matched by only the best modern makers. The bass sound on some of these is incredible. These were normally only available in the 8 bass 2 1/2 row format and in the keys of Bb/Eb or C/F, We convert these to a full three row with 12 basses in any key required. Doubled 5ths or thirds stop it can all be done. Your imagination is pretty much the limit.
The Sound (again) At the opposite end of the scale the Erikas, Modell 1 and their cousins make superb 2 rows with what is referred to as the “Hohner sound” in spades. the case and reed quality of these is far superior to their modern counterparts and there are no cheap plastic bits inside. For the price of a new low end 2 row you could be playing one of these beauties, if Morris is your thing turn up the tremolo and blow away all of those expensive new boxes. 3 pints in with the wind howling NOTHING sounds as joyous as a well tuned Hohner 2 row.
Unique. Who wants to turn up at a session to find three other musicians have the exact same box as you? Every one of our conversions is unique, the layout and tuning is whatever you want. we keep a stock of interesting boxes but why not hunt down that rare Paolo club or a Hohner model X and have it converted, check out some of the possibilities here
Price. Not a particularly compelling reason for choosing a conversion, but when you consider the price of a high quality modern three row for example, a conversion may come in at a third of the price for similar quality
A recently completed Swiss Club IIB this started life as a Bb/Eb 8 bass 2 1/2 row and is now a three row A/D/G 12 bass with doubled 5ths
This Modell Victoria started life as a 2 1/2 row C/F and is now D/G with full accidental row, 12 bass with thirds stop
