1960s QUAD Cassotto STRADAVOX Eldorado Accordion Start Price USD 500.00 Current Price USD 2,650.00 Time Left - Bid Count 15 Buy It Now Price USD 4,500.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Tuesday, November 11, 2008 End Time Friday, November 21, 2008 Location Laguna Beach, California See more about '1960s QUAD Cassotto STRADAVOX Eldorado Accordion' Description There's a lot of accordions out there but nothing like this one.  All four reeds in the front are masterfully built into a monster tone chamber giving it an incredible sound.  It has one of the best piccolos I've ever heard.  This is an accordion that you would use in an orchestra for an opera.  It's got an acoustic sound that is unmistakable.  The overall quality of this instrument is an 8.5-9 out of 10.  Here's the details: Reeds:  4/5 Custom Hand Made Reeds in TWO double tone chambers (I've nicknamed it a "quad").  The reeds are straight tuned but having a natural phase built right into the box.  The reeds bite, they sizzle, AND produce that mellow tone chamber sound like it's being played through a tube amp.  The only known issue is that the top end of the piccolo reeds (high Bb and up) needs adjustment.  Some of the them do not sound or do not sound right.  If these piccolos were sounding right, I'd give this instrument a 9-9.5 out of 10.  One more thing, look at the picture with the grill off.  The chamber is incredibly built with wood in this one of a kind accordion.   Bellows:  In good condition with tight compression.  A little corrosion on the tips of the bellows which could probably be cleaned off but does not interfere with the playing at all.  The accordion was owned by an older lady who played professionally and took very good care of the instrument.   Shifts:  13 shifts on the keys plus a Palm Master.  All are tight and incredibly built.   Keys:  HUGE 19 3/8" WIDE (from key to key) glossy keyboard.  The keyboard is FLAT with beautiful keys (no cracks).  The action though vintage is good and fairly shallow.   Bass:  120 noise reduction basses plus the air release button.  9 shifts on the bass, one of which plays low bass notes only.  All work excellent, incredible mechanisms throughout the instrument.   Electronics:  The pickup is setup for a 1/4" Stereo jack but I only have a Mono cord to test it.  That being said, the key side works and the bass side is untested.  The sound of the electronics was probably good in the 60's but I would prefer a nice mic over the electronics.  Individual volume and tone knobs for the front and the back resulting in a stereo out.   Serial:  "2464", "Made In Italy", "Guaranteed For Life".  This is an accordion that could be guaranteed for life because it's built like a TANK.   Other:  All of the straps are in good shape.  The original Stradavox case is in good condition as well (no musty smells).  It's a big and bad 26 lbs on my home scale.  Huge feet under the basses for when you set the instrument down.  It has a soft nylon backpad in decent shape as well.   Bidding:  Considering the quality of this instrument, my reserve is LOW.  This instrument wails on the Giulietti Super Custom that I sold for $4,000.  The highest bid above my LOW reserve takes home an incredible accordion.   Payment:  PAYPAL is accepted for MAILING the accordion.  I will also accept a Postal Money Order but NO FAKE CHECKS.  Or, if you want to pick it up locally, bring CASH in the FULL AMOUNT of your bid (not a couple hundred bucks less because you made a "trip" to pick it up).  NO CHECKS ACCEPTED with a LOCAL pickup.   Shipping:  I will pack and ship this accordion well via USPS Priority Mail.  I've had no problems shipping with the USPS worldwide aside from occasional slowness but if you want a different mode of transportation, you can pay the difference.  The size and weight of this accordion is LARGER than your average accordion resulting in the shipping costing a little more than average.  The location details are as follows:   Shipping within the USA - The accordion will come packed tight in it's case, and the case in a cardboard box.   Shipping Internationally - The case for the accordion barely meets the USPS size requirements for many countries.  Depending on your location, the accordion will be shipped one of two ways.  If there are no size requirements to your country, the accordion will be packed tight in it's case and the case in a cardboard box.  If there is a size requirement, the accordion will be packed tight in it's case ONLY (no cardboard box covering and protecting the CASE).  I've shipped accordions internationally with and without a cardboard box and both arrived without damage.  Some have asked to ship the accordion in two pieces but shipping it as one piece in the hard case seems to be the safest and least expensive mode of transportation.  I will pack and ship it well.   I took a picture of this accordion next to the Titano Virtuoso Convertor that I recently gave away for $1500.  You can see the size difference between the two.  This Stradavox SMOKES that Titano.  The accordion that I currently perform with is a newer Pigini Convertor.  Speaking solely of the actual hand made construction of this accordion, the detail is nicer than my Pigini and the fancy new Victorias in my opinion (I've played them both).  This accordion was built by Stradavox to compete with the famous Hohner Gola and it does.   If you have ANY questions that have not been answered in this very detailed description, please ask!!! 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