krazy kanuck

What you've got there sound like a mute.....It's supposed to make the sound
more mellow.....usually used with just the low reed set for jazzy stuff.

~dream~

Hello Stan,

This is called a Sordino, and I had
always assumed that was it's name simply because
the word describes what it is (a Mute)

and that's all it is

(the affect is more apparent to those away from the source)

On older accordions, they are often quite lovely,
and delicate works of art... the impossibly light and thin
strips of wood precisely fitted in a sliding matrix and
still working perfectly after 50 years is quite a marvel,
really.

Most modern accordion makers who offer them now use
plastics and such similar to the stuff used in
place of leather for individual reed-flaps, though
I suppose a rare few still can offer a wooden version.
That would be subject to the availability of the
proper type of kilned wood, however, since only
CEMEX survives with an active kiln on site.

Congratulations on scoring such a nice accordion...
the Atlantic segment of Hohners line was pretty
broad at one time... I recall playing well over a
dozen different Atlantic's at Pfieffer's south
of Heidleberg... but some are pretty high-end models.
Your's having a Sordino would suggest it is one of the
better ones. Slavko's main box was a special Atlantic.

While Italy still manufactures some amazing and wonderful
quality professional accordions, some models still in
production continuously, and incredibly, since the 1950's...

....in the case of the Hohner Atlantic, Morino, and Gola
professional series, it is my opinion that the old models
represent the golden age of Hohner production, and their
like will never be seen or manufactured again (by Hohner)
or anyone else. The magic that was a blend of Hohner's
national heritage and German manufacturing pride and technology
simply has been dismantled forever.

Scoring one of these fine old machines in nice condition
is a real gift from the Gods. Use your boon wisely, and
with respect to your good fortune... play it well and
share the gift with as many as you can through good
performance.

Ciao Ventura


PS: be very careful when handling the Sordino...
it is easily damaged and difficult to repair.
It's loss would considerably reduce the value of your Atlantic

diggyj

I recieved some old items as part of an inheritance and one was a Hohner Atlantic III accordian. It is in mint/excellent condition and was wondering if anyone knew what it was worth. Thank you.

DJ......