ss5

Sonola SS5 3/5 reeds LMH, 7/3 shifts, With Mute, 18 inch keyboard, 24 pounds $975

07/08/2024 by Nathan Longo

Like the other Sonola I have this is a very sweet-playing accordion. I love how the bass sounds on both. The treble has a beautiful tone, with or without the mute. Both keyboard and compression are excellent. Minor scratches and nicks but overall a very good looking and very nice-playing accordion. Comes with a hard case and 1 year warranty.

"Nathan Longo of Montpelier, VT repaired my 1899 Wilhelm Dolling, Klingenthal DE Bandonion!

After inheriting this magnificent antique instrument from a dear musician friend, I began a long and slow journey of looking for who I could trust its repairs to. Some very knowledgeable and thoughtful repair professionals declined, correctly saying they focused on concertinas. Others found the bandonion outside their range as they focused on accordions.

Finding Nathan was a joy. My friend in New Orleans encouraged me to reach out to Nathan, and I found a really thoughtful and professional repair person, willing to investigate and learn gently, before undertaking the repair work. The bandonion is unlike either the accordeon or the family of concertinas. The buttons are arranged in a haphazard manner and the mechanism is dissimilar to either related family members of the free reed instruments.

The result is that I am now able to PLAY my 1899 Bandonion. Nathan was able to figure out the fingering and the action, to the point that my old instrument is enjoyable both to myself and to those that hear it.

Nathan patched up leaks, retuned some reeds, and corrected past mistakes effected by previous ill fated attempts by others. He was very thoughtful and heard all of my concerns with the care of a person open mindedly figureing out a puzzle. I am very satisfied with his work."

Sonola SS5 3/5 reeds LMH, 7/3 shifts, With Mute, 18 inch keyboard, 24 pounds $975

Hugo Martinez Cazón of Burlington, VT:

Hanna Howard of Burlington, VT – Accordionist:

David Symons of New Orleans, LA – Professional Accordionist, Composer, Actor:

Elena Frimerman of Piermont, NH: