BELL Gold Cassotto Amplified MIDI Accordion

This is a special BELL Gold accordion custom built for Aldo Mencaccini by Bugari in 2000. I remember Aldo telling me the story of this accordion design. He was on a quest to find the perfect tonal balance between treble and bass and believed he needed to select different reeds for both sides of the accordion to achieve his goal. All reeds in this instrument are hand-made and have been selected by Aldo himself. This approach is expensive and can't be used for mass production. I don't know exactly how many of these BELL Gold accordions were made that way, probably less than 10. However, I do know that Aldo was selling them to some of his close friends. (I am aware of only 3 other such models - one was made for Carmen Carozza's nephew, one went to a partner of Aldo who helped him with the Solton/Ketron business, and one was built for for Lenny Feldman.)

When Lenny Feldman received his new BELL accordion and introduced it at the AAMS Accordion Convention in 1999 I was really impressed and even a little envious. On Saturday evening after the concert there was an informal session for people who would be willing to get together and play the accordion. I was standing across the conference room (pretty large size) from Lenny with a glass of wine in my hand. Each time Lenny would hit the bass I would see standing waves forming on the surface of my wine. This was so cool and a real manifestation of the amount of sound energy produced my these fabulous reeds. Since 1999 I've learned a lot more about accordion manufacturing. I can assure you this instrument is a spectacular accordion and whoever gives it a new home will be very happy and proud to own and play it. 

The accordion features hand-made reeds, double tone chamber, the optional gold plating, and excellent mechanics throughout. The acoustic instrument is enhanced by a Logic System MIDI (the same model used on Petosa AM1100 models at the same time) and Sennheiser condenser microphones. 

Here is a summary of the features:
 

Please, note that the accordion was originally made with interchangeable reed blocks for LMMM and LMMH configuration and the switches are labeled for the LMMM configuration. The instrument comes only with the concert configuration LMMH. The reed combinations corresponding to each switch are correct as listed above.
Any MIDI module will work with this state-of-the-art system. The following (optional) MIDI modules/arranges are available for purchase with this accordion:
The instrument is like new. The new owner will enjoy a robust smooth mechanics and impressive tonal richness and character.
Call me at 973-770-6877 to schedule your visit to the Accordion Gallery and try this beautiful accordion.


























The gold plating on all metal parts is clean and shiny. The accordion looks as if has been kept in a time machine.
The original owner played it only at home for several years and then stored it in a controlled environment.






Let's explore the interior of this fabulous instrument.



The MIDI and microphones are factory installed. The cables are routed very neath without any clutter.
With this type of MIDI you can enjoy true Velocity Sensitivity on the keyboard.



This instrument was custom-made for Aldo Mencaccini (BELL) by Bugari. Aldo used his life long expertise
and knowledge in collaboration with the experts at Bugari in the design of that accordion.




Very special piccolo reeds that match in power the bassoon reeds and the Organ (LH) sounds fantastic.
In general, the tonal balance of the instrument is truly impressive.



Inside the bass section...





Double-riveted hand-made Magnatera Bass and Tenor reeds - beautiful rich and responsive bass sound!







Please, note that the power supply works with the American voltage and frequency.
The label above the On/Off switch (see photo above) is not correct. It should reed "110 V / 60 Hz".











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