Review of the best accordions by price range and learning levels

The best accordions for children:

1. Startone Puck Kids Accordion Red
2. Startone Maja 48 Accordion Blue

The best accordions for beginners:

1. Startone Piano Accordion 72 Blue
2. Startone Piano Accordion 120 BK

The best accordions for intermediates:

1. Roland FR-1X BK
2. Weltmeister Achat 34/80/III/5/3 Black

The best accordion for advanced players:

1. Zupan ALPE IV 96 MH Helikon

The best accordions for children

We know that children are usually attracted to the accordion, since this instrument tends to awaken a certain curiosity in them . Whether it's the set of keys or the bellows, this mechanism is eye-catching and attractive to them. For this reason, we have selected two excellent accordions for children that are perfectly-adequate as an initial instrument.

Startone is one of those companies that doesn't disappoint. Despite offering inexpensive instruments for beginners, they always cover the basic needs that allow students to develop their musical skills. This is the case with the Startone Puck Kids Acordion, as it has an acceptable construction and features that make it a versatile instrument, ideal to start learning your first accordion songs.

Materials

It's made of inexpensive materials such as ABS plastic throughout the outer casing and piano-like keys. However, this material is strong enough to withstand the wear and tear of an inexperienced musician who is still learning how to play and care for the instrument.

The inner tabs are made of bronze with brass backing, which are also considered inexpensive materials. But we must point out that bronze is fairly durable, because it doesn't oxidize. Brass is more prone to damage but, being on the inside of the instrument, there should be no problems.

As for the gusset, there is kraft paper inside for each fold. This material is very common even in medium and medium-high range instruments. That is why you should not be alarmed, as it's a kraft paper with design features for industrial use in electrical parts, mechanical motors and, of course, accordions.

Finally, the support rods in the bellows are made of aluminum and steel. This provides two vital elements, such as reduced weight and resistance to oxidation. We must remember that the accordion works with air and this is mainly composed of oxygen, so it's prone to rust faster than any other musical instrument.

Design

This is an accordion for children between five and nine years old. That is why it has 22 keys covering two half octaves, from C to E, and a full octave from C to B for the high notes.

Similarly, the basses span a full octave. This is how the beginner musician has a good extension to learn his first accordion songs. Some of the recommended pieces are Las mañanitas and El carnaval de Venecia .

In terms of dimensions, it's 32 cm high, 18 cm wide and weighs approximately 2.5 kg. It also has a glossy pearlescent red finish that, with proper care, can last a long time with that just-out-of-the-box look.

Sound

The first thing we notice about the sound is that it‘s a bit heavy. It sounds slow and, due to its extension of only one and a half octaves, it offers a reduced capacity for middle notes. Although this is not a problem because it's an extremely inexpensive accordion for beginners.

The sustain is also reduced due to the strapping paper and the fabric of the gusset. While the reverb is of good quality and gives an air of tango. The volume is acceptable and allows the little musicians to demonstrate their skills in front of their whole family. Overall, it's not bad considering it's an inexpensive instrument for children.

Conclusion

The Startone Puck Kids Acordion is an instrument that meets our expectations and has the necessary features for children to get started in the world of music. Its construction is what can be expected considering the price, while the sound is acceptable and allows learning the first chamber compositions. However, we believe it performs best in tango and in traditional Italian and French music. Interested? Find the best prices at Thomann.

Startone exceeds our expectations as far as low/mid-range is concerned, by offering a product of this sound quality. The Maja 48 is an accordion with excellent performance that places it in the mid-range, although the materials used for its construction are still low-end.

Materials

Like the Startone Puck Kids, the Maja 48 is an instrument with ABS case and keys, albeit of higher density. This is evident not only in the considerable weight of the instrument but, when looking at the case, you will notice that the plastic is thicker.

Regarding the bellows, it also incorporates kraft paper for the expansion of this part in the instrument. The cover is made of fabric, while the joints are made of peach skin fabric and synthetic leather. The structure of the bellows is made of aluminum with stainless steel, making it a low-end instrument, although its strength and durability are considerable.

However, users have reported that the bellows construction is solid despite the inexpensive materials. In addition, the structure of the tabs is of good quality because the main support bar is made of aluminum and the tabs are made of stainless steel with copper. This not only reduces the weight , but also grants it optimal durability and sound quality.

Design

While it's true that the materials are those of a low-end accordion, we must admit that its design is totally mid-range. Most notably, it features a two-octave tessitura in the piano keys. It also has a lower B note and a higher C key.

It also has 48 bass buttons that are sufficient for exploring the most complex chamber music compositions in the repertoire. As if this were not enough, this piano accordion has three register keys for three different sound colors that provide great versatility.

The finish is ultra-glossy and mother-of-pearl-like, giving it a phenomenal aesthetic. It weighs 6 kg and measures 49 cm in length in a closed position, 42.1 cm high and 24.9 cm wide. Thanks to these characteristics , it's ideal for children between nine and twelve years of age.

Sound

We really like the sound of this accordion as it's quite good for the price. It has three registers. The master offers a rounded sound, with good reverb and acceptable harmonics. The sound frequency of the violin button is round, creamy and with great warmth. This makes it special for interpreting pieces from the romantic period and Argentine tangos.

On the clarinet button, the sound has a high quality reverb and the volume is also considerable. This register is best suited to Italian and French folk compositions. It's also good for baroque period pieces because it emulates the sound of the organ quite well , which was the instrument of choice during that period.

Conclusion

There are several elements that stand out in this instrument. Despite it being made with low-end materials, its sound and performance are mid-range. Hence, the price of this accordion is higher than that of the Startone Puck Kids. We recommend it for children from 9 to 12 years old who wish to explore other sounds and a higher tessitura, as well as varying the sound colors that benefit compositions from the baroque and romantic period, Argentine tango and European folklore. If you're interested, check out the best deals at Thomann.

If you don't like the color, Startone also offers the Maja 48 in red and the Maja 48 in black. These have the same features but with a different shade to better match your little one's personality.

The best accordions for beginners

Now we move on to low-end adult accordions and again we do so by describing two pieces from Startone, a Thomann Musikhaus brand. Our interest in this brand is due to the fact that their accordions are the best value for money on the market.

Again, we have selected a Startone product on account of its price and quality. If you think that these instruments do not meet the expectations of the most demanding players, this accordion may surprise you, as its performance and sound are excellent.

Materials

Unlike the children's accordions we have reviewed, in this Startone Piano Accordion the bellows fold is made of condensed kraft paper with cellulose and a polypropylene cover. This gives it greater resistance to twisting and also makes it much more resistant to moisture.

The bellows is made of polyester with added polyurethane which makes it waterproof and able to withstand high force loads and temperatures. This is a type of fabric used in semi-industrial bellows and for boiler or chimney fires in homes. Its tabs are made of copper, a material that is not very corrosive and tends to accumulate less natural grease from oxygen. It has an aluminum base and the bellows frame is made of stainless steel.

The case is made of carbon-reinforced ABS and has a steel structure in the vital parts. The rivets are made of stainless steel to reinforce the structure and improve the durability of the instrument.

Design

It has a tessitura of two octaves and two half octaves that will allow the musician to explore melodic possibilities of great sonorous richness. On the bass front, it has 72 for almost infinite possibilities and also has seven registers. This opens up the possibility of two octaves lower and one octave higher on the piano keys, as well as one octave lower and one octave higher on the bass buttons. It offers a total of six octaves.

It weighs 8.5 kg and measures 41 cm x 19 cm x 43 cm (length, width and height respectively). It has a matte pearlescent blue finish.

Sound

The sound is very good thanks to the quality of the material in the reeds and the possibilities of configuration in its tessitura or register. The reverb of the master register (white knob) is very good and has a balance with the volume that makes it a sonic delight. The bass register knob on the piano keys offers two lower octaves that allow a rich harmonic depth to melodies, while the higher octave provides a balanced sound.

In the bass knobs, the natural sound response of the 72 keys is rich in sustain. But the lowest and highest octave will not be in constant use, so you may find them unnecessary on many occasions. Generally speaking, it's an instrument that has balanced transitions throughout its tessitura. The passages are quite well matched and the volume is not too high in the treble and not too low in the bass.

The only downside we can find is that some users have reported out of tune notes when the bellows closes. If you notice this on your instrument, you should take it to a luthier to adjust the reeds that are faulty.

Conclusion

This instrument from Startone is undoubtedly the best choice on the market for musicians of any level looking for an affordable accordion with quality features. Experienced musicians will find that it has superior performance even though it's made of cheap materials. This way you will have a product that you can use all the time without risking your expensive accordion. If you want to see the best Thomann prices, follow the link.

If blue is not your thing, then the Startone Piano Accordion 72 in black is for you. This is the same in performance, tessitura, registers and construction, but in a different color.

Startone enters the world of instruments with high-end sonic performance, but with low-end construction, yet it doesn't disappoint. Let's get down to business so you know what we mean.

Materials

The same materials were used for its construction as in the Startone Accordion 72. That is, a reinforced ABS case and a sturdy stainless steel frame. The gusset is also made of kraft paper reinforced with a higher amount of cellulose and a polypropylene cover to make it more impermeable.

Furthermore, the bellows has a reinforced internal structure of stainless steel and 6061-T6 aluminum, which is the most regularly used for window constructions, table and chair bases. The reeds and base are made of T6 aluminum and copper, making it a relatively light but strong instrument.

Design

The materials of this accordion are the same as those used in the Startone Piano Acordion 72. However, they differ in performance, as the Piano Accordion 120 has 41 piano-like keys instead of 34. It also has 120 bass buttons instead of 72. This is why the natural tessitura of this accordion is higher and you will not need to resort to some of the register keys.

In terms of weight, it weighs 10.5 kg. Its dimensions are: 43 cm x 19 cm x 51 cm. It's matte black and looks very elegant.

Sound

This accordion has an overflowing volume due to the large size of the bellows. In addition, due to the size of the mouthpiece for air intake, the reverb is larger than on the Startone Piano Acordion 72. The sound response throughout its natural tessitura is dynamic and balanced.

The records are a marvel in the line of clean sound. In the vibrato line the sound is rich in harmonics and you can find a great ally for the counterpoint of the baroque period pieces. In addition, the compositions that best suit this instrument are those of Astor Piazzolla, as well as the most demanding compositions of Italian and French folklore.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a monstrous instrument that allows you to unleash your creativity to explore crazy high and low registers, this is the one for you. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced player, this accordion will be great for your rehearsal sessions. It's also a good accompaniment for live playing.

If you are a beginner and you can afford it, don't think twice, because this instrument will be your companion for life. Check out the best prices at Thomann.

The best accordions for intermediates

These mid-range accordions that we will describe come from two of the best manufacturers in the world. We are referring to Roland and Weltmeister, whose products are conscientiously-crafted.

Roland is a specialist in the manufacture of digital and workstate pianos. In 2011, the brand released what is still today the most valued and desired digital accordion in the world. Its impressive performance, realistic sound and bombproof construction have placed it at the top of the digital accordion category. Find out what it has to offer in this review.

Materials

There are two versions of this digital accordion, both of which are made of different materials. One of the versions is made of mahogany wood, a material that has an excellent resistance to fractures and of which the density makes it one of the best woods in terms of durability.

The second version is made of high-density reinforced ABS for durability and an ultra-glossy deluxe finish. Now, the accordion made of wood has a five-layer polyester finish in black. This finish is common in mid-range and high-end instruments, because it provides the best protection against shocks.

Another interesting detail is found in the keys. In the wood version, the keys are made of real ivory and this gives the instrument an incomparable feel. On the other hand, the reinforced ABS version has polymer keys with ivory-like action.

You may wonder which of the two versions is better. Well, we prefer the wooden accordion because the quality of the material is first class. However, the ABS version is also very good, although it doesn't provide the same quality as wood.

Since this is a digital accordion, the entire internal system is electronic, so the bellows are only a mechanism to operate the system. Consequently, you will not find reeds inside, although the bellows move and feel exactly like an acoustic accordion. On the other hand, the internal components are Japanese, the only ones that manage to compete directly with the best in the world. This means that its quality is more than guaranteed.

Design

As we have already clarified, this is a digital accordion, which means that it has no reeds and the bellows are not acoustic. However, it should be noted that the bellows were created with the aim of being realistic in its response throughout. Whether opening or closing, if you vibrate it or vary the speed of its movement, the bellows' sensors detect every action because they are highly sensitive.

It has 26 melody keys with dynamic sensitivity that provide sounds of various intensities depending on the force you apply. It also has 72 bass buttons that have the same dynamic sensitivity action. It has a total polyphony of 128 voices, enough to express all your musical creativity and perform the best accordion songs.

The digital system incorporates four treble choruses. This is as if each reed on an acoustic accordion had four holes for air channeling. On the other hand, the underbody has an effect that simulates five holes in the tabs.

Another interesting aspect is that it has seven preset sets that simulate eight treble register accordions to perfection. It also has sixteen orchestral sounds, three normal and orchestral bass registers, eight chord registers and the ability to store eight registers you wish to create. And let's not forget the option to activate effects such as Hall, Chorus and real-time volume control.

One of the most popular features is that you can activate the imitation of the instrument's natural noises, both for the bellows and the reeds. It also has an LED display, USB connectivity and MP3 and Wav audio playback. Finally, you have headphone outputs, a line output and Midi. It runs on built-in rechargeable batteries that last five hours on standby and two 7 W speakers. The best part? It weighs only 6.5 kg.

Sound

The sound on this instrument is realistic. You can get the opening effect and the vibration when closing the bellows. Also, thanks to the sensitivity action on the bellows and keys, it's possible to realize delay and tremolo effects.

Using the Hall and Chorus effect settings you can adjust the intensity of the sustain and reverb. Naturally, the sound offers harmonics that are only possible on digital devices. That's why this instrument is a sound trap that will make you sound like the perfect musician.

To conclude, all the impressive sound of this instrument can be transferred to your computer and create whatever you want. That's why the Roland FR-1X accordion is the ideal partner for practice sessions, band rehearsals and in the recording studio. You can listen to it HERE.

Conclusion

This digital accordion from the Roland family is all you need. It's recommended for intermediate or advanced musicians who want an ideal accompanist for all occasions. If you want it to improve as a musician and practice without bothering anyone with the sound, then you need it in your life as it has a headphone input. But if you want it for recording, you will certainly achieve the perfect sound without the need for additional microphones or implements. Intrigued? Find the best Thomann prices.

Weltmeister is one of the world's leading manufacturers of high-end and premium accordions for the world's most demanding musicians. The company's stock includes the Achat 34/80/III/5/3, which represents a transition to the high end of the range. We believe that it meets the characteristics of a high-end instrument for a more affordable price.

Materials

This Weltmeister accordion has a case made of two types of materials: cedar wood for the strongest parts and reinforced ABS for the curved sections. This combination not only adds durability to the main frame of the enclosure, but also contributes to the acoustics.

Synthetic leather and polyester reinforced with PTFE, a Teflon additive, have been used for the bellows. This type of polyester is the strongest of all the reinforcements found for bellows manufacturing. That is why we believe it to be a high-end accordion. However, companies such as Weltmeister are meticulous with their products.

For the internal reinforcement of the bellows, kraft paper is also used, otherwise known as wood paper. However, a considerable difference is that the paper serves the function of covering wooden boards. This method is used in high-end accordions because bellows with wooden joints produce a lot of noise when they are opened or closed. Covering the wood plates with kraft paper prevents them from colliding with each other, therefore the noise is eliminated.

As for the tabs, they are made of copper and have an aluminum base with stainless steel rivets. This configuration of materials provides the highest durability and resistance, being another reason to classify it as a high-end accordion.

Design

It has 80 bass knobs that give it an impressive natural tessitura. It also has 34 melody keys that are sufficient to play compositions from the baroque to the modern romantic period. Although his sound is good for other styles as well.

Another interesting aspect is that it has five registers, which are the five keys located above the piano keys. With them you can achieve five treble registers, three chorus and three bass registers that sound great. In addition, four bass choruses provide impressive versatility.

Finally, this accordion weighs 7.8 kg and measures 41.8 cm high, 37.5 cm wide and 20 cm deep. It has an ultra-glossy black finish that adds quite a bit of elegance and the company includes a wooden case with padded interior and straps for fastening.

Sound

Its sound is excellent, its configurations precise. The master register knob offers harmonics and reverb that are out of this world and great for playing baroque compositions in the purest Bach contrapuntal style. In the violin register the sound leaves a little reverb to accentuate the clearest sound you can find for this price.

The cedar-veneered shell and bellows interior with cedar bars and kraft paper mutes offer vibrations that benefit an enveloping and beautiful sustain in all register settings. Likewise, in the transitions of the natural tessitura it has an exceptional balance.

As for the bass register, these are audible in the deepest setting and one of them is so deep that it will hardly be necessary for most compositions.

Conclusion

For all the above mentioned reasons we can say it's the best mid-range acoustic accordion available on the market. Its construction is luxurious and the sound is beautiful. Our recommendation is that if you are looking for an intermediate piano accordion, don't hesitate and go for this one. It's by far the best in its range and will be the best purchase you will make in a long time. Interested? Take a look at thomann's best prices.

Now, if you are looking for other color options but with the same characteristics, the company offers the Achat 34/80/III/5/3 White and the Weltmeister Achat 34/80/III/5/3 Red. Other options with 72 bass buttons are also available, such as the Weltmeister Achat 34/72/III/5/3 White and the Weltmeister Achat 34/72/III/5/3 Red. Each of them have the same sound and material performance, but differ in color and number of bass buttons.

Another option in 72 bass accordions is the Hohner Bravo III 72 Blue silent key, which has a clearer and less powerful sound than the Weltmeister. This would be the clearest competition to our star competitor in the mid-range and its sound goes best with Italian folk compositions, French and Gardel's tangos or Piazzolla's complex structures.

The best accordion for advanced players

Now we've made it to the high-end accordions, and for us it's a pleasure to talk about this instrument because its quality is exclusive. It was made of handcrafted wood and its materials are of the highest quality.

The quality of this premium accordion is impressive, because it combines natural elements such as leather, wood and ivory, along with a traditional handmade construction. Find out why we consider this to be the best accordion on the market, in this review.

Materials

Its entire body is made of Indian rosewood, one of the most highly valued woods for the fretboard of guitars. This wood is one of the densest and most durable in the world. In addition, it preserves the sound quality in an exceptional way and, above all, highlights the natural harmonics.

The keys are ivory and feel phenomenal to the touch, because they are weighted to match the natural keystroke, while gliding is smoothly superior to all competition. The bellows are the most amazing thing because they were created with an internal wooden structure covered with peach skin fabric mutes. In addition, the entire cover is made of real fur, although we do not know from which animal.

The truth is that in this instrument you have the best material that can be used for the manufacture of bellows and, in addition, all the mechanics of the reeds are made of stainless steel and copper. In other words, the Zupan Alpe IV 96 MH Helicon has all the best that can be expected in premium quality materials for an accordion.

Design

The design is the best out of all the accordions described on this list, because the combination of wood with stainless steel appliqués is magnificent. The structure of the bellows reveals very careful and masterfully finished details.

Other aesthetic details are the vintage flower borders that show through the case, as well as the beautifully carved fretwork on the stainless steel plate. We can say that in terms of beauty, this accordion is the pinnacle of premium quality craftsmanship.

In terms of tessitura, this accordion has 38 piano keys, each with four reeds. At the same time, it has 96 bass buttons and each of the keys or buttons has sensitivity action and pads to reduce all kinds of noise.

It offers ten register buttons to vary between a flat sound without legato, four registers for the treble melody keys and four registers for bass. Each one of them is fully audible and unlike all the accordions described above, these registers cannot be considered unnecessary because they have an enormous richness of sound.

It weighs a considerable 10.4 kg and measures 45 cm high, 20 cm deep and 38 cm long in closed position.

Sound

This is the best of the Zupal ALPE IV 96 Helikon accordion. If you use the master register you will activate four reeds that are exactly the same note. But by being repeated four times, it gives a monodic chorus effect that doesn't sacrifice harmonics or overdo the reverb. On the other hand, it retains an enviable balance in each of the notes and movements of the bellows.

Now, in the three-reed pyramid-shaped register, the reverb is explosive and has a vibe that goes perfectly with traditional French and Italian music. While in the two-reed or violin position, the sound is warm, comforting and is excellent with pieces from the romantic period.

The transition between each note is a total blast and, thanks to the mute mechanism, there is no noise to disturb your performance.

Conclusion

If you are looking for the best concert accordion, the Zupan ALPE IV is the ideal instrument because it has the aesthetics and sound that a professional musician needs. Its sound is the most dynamic and versatile you can find, while the action of its keys and buttons is excellent. Find the best price at Thomann.

But if you want to consider other options, then you have the Weltmeister Cassotto 414 41/120/IV115, which has a more aggressive attack and more lows. The Weltmeister Romance 703 B-Handle White is a solo button accordion with 96 basses and a romantic, sensitive and smooth sound. On the other hand, the Weltmeister Topas 37/96/IV/11/5 Black is ideal for folk music.

Remember that in Cultura Sonora you can find in-depth reviews and comparisons of guitars, drums, pianos and all kinds of musical instruments.