Restoring Our New “Old” Accordion – Photos
When we were preparing for some Duo Sessions a few weeks ago we got this idea that one particular song would work really well with the addition of an accordion. The only problem was that we neither owned nor really knew how to play one. Dad used to have one when he was in his teens but decided to trade it for a black Les Paul copy. We don’t blame him! But that didn’t stop us from wanting to give it a shot so we went online to see if we could find an affordable, used one we could pick up!
That’s when we came across this beauty. It looks absolutely stunning and apparently dates back to the 1950’s (or earlier!) and was made in Italy. We have no means of verifying the date but will probably drop it off with a professional at some point and get their estimation. We were smitten by the design and for just 50 pounds it was an easy decision to give it a chance!
Once we got it home, we had a closer look at its interior and it quickly became apparent why the price was so suspiciously cheap … but we had anticipated something like that ????
There was plenty wrong with it but Dad ordered some wax and started restoring the instrument while we helped where we could and supplied him with coffee. Mona also watched a lot of tutorials on how to actually play the damn thing!
It took a while to get it to a playable state but it actually ended up sounding really nice! We don’t think it’s a beginner friendly accordion – it’s huge, weighs a ton and the bellows aren’t in the best of shape which requires a lot of movement while playing but hey – Dad made it work!
Maybe one day we will get it fixed up properly by a shop but for now we love our quirky, slightly out-of-tune addition to the family.
Soon you’ll get to see it in a Duo Session but first we still need to edit a few other videos. ???? Perhaps some of you can even guess what song we used it for! Leave your ideas in the comments!
Stay groovy everybody and stay curious,
Mona & Lisa
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Seeing an accordian taken apart, I think I now know even less about how they work. What I do know is it was the perfect addition for Vincent, both for the melancholy it evokes and because it is so associated with France, where of course Van Gogh spent his most productive years.
Mona must have missed this flyer 🙂
Just a beautiful cover of a pretty profound song. Have you ever considered You Know What I Mean by the Turtles. Also, one that they never released as a single, but it is melancholic and romantic: So Goes Love. It’s on one of their best hits albums. And if you decide to cover any more Hollies: Look Through Any Window is I think one of their best songs ever. I’d never heard it until I bought their “best of” album, then it became my favorite Hollies song.
You guys are musical geniuses and archivists. It’s so nice hearing sixties music again. Another one that may be worth looking into is Walk Away, Renee, by The Left Banke. It was their only really big hit, and everyone remembers it. I used to love Pretty Ballerina, which was their only other real hit. I would play it when I started dating my wife 50 years ago and think of her all the time. They were a great, if short-lived group. Their use of the harpsichord was pretty edge-cutting for their time, but it made their music sound great.
I play your CDs every day, and my wife loves them, too. Thanks for what you do.
Very cool! I’d love to hear how it sounds. As a child we didn’t have room for a piano so my parents gave me accordion lessons. I played it for 17 years, had several bands and was weaned on the Great American Songbook of standards and jazz. The old saying used to be “a gentleman is someone who can play the accordion but doesn’t.” play no longer but it instilled in me a love for music and the people who make it that has stayed with me all my life. Mona and Lisa, I discovered you a few weeks ago by accident on YouTube. Haven’t stopped listening and here I am, on your website, an “older” gentleman (I hope) being thrilled and delighted by two of the most talented people I have ever come across. Your love for music and each other and the joy you take and give in performing is truly palpable and inspiring. I’m now a super fan spreading the word about your music to anyone who will listen. Thanks for sharing your gifts..and to think you accomplished it all without an accordion!
Although the Beatle’s version didn’t feature any similar instruments, I think “Things We Said Today” would sound incredible with an accordian and guitar together. Might be one heck of a cardio workout for Mona, tho!
That last picture of Mona with her bellowing blonds is just awesome!
It’s a lovely project, and since Rudolf was bored and had nothing to do, of course he would restore an old accordion! ????
I would guess “We Can Work it Out” is a great choice, though since it was done over Christmas, it may be out of the running. When Paul performs it, Wix plays the accordion.
It’s a beautiful instrument.
Wow, repairing it must have been a very delicate job! And what a beautiful instrument – can’t wait to hear it 🙂
Maxwell’s silver wand worked magic on Pietro ????
Rudi truly is magical. And, I am anxious to see the magic Mona creates with the results of his magic. All of you are magical and absolutely fearless when confronting a challenge. Fascinating and exciting! A lot for us to look forward to. It doesn’t get more groovy than that. ????????❤❤
Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite would be my choice…since the song has what sounds like an accordion, but I think was a pump organ. I think that would be a good one to do. I believe Mona could play that very well, by the photos she appears to be into it. Thanks to Papa Rudi for getting it going. Something new for you all to play. Very Cool. As always, Peace, Love and happiness
Your dad is soooo cool. Don’t have a guess for the song, but can’t wait to here what you do with this!
wow look forward to its debut – sorry girls but you really do have a genius amongst us -“Mr Rudi – SPOK”
First song that comes to mind, is Obla De Obla Da (sp) what a great song that would be!
Such an incredible find, and for that price!
Kudos Mona for learning how to play it! Not easy to play, let alone as a beginner!
You Rock Ladies ????????♀️❤????????
Nice song choice, Rick! I’ve often thought that would be an amazing MLT cover.
As an accordion player (and repairer!), my guess is 1930s, as it has ‘square corners’. From the 1940s the corners were much more rounded and the instruments were less ornate. My vote is for We Can Work It Out, or maybe Do Wah Diddy from the Manfreds.
Here’s me with my favorite accordion, dating back to the late 1960s, although I bought it in the early 1970s.
Where do you go to my lovely – right era,accordion but maybe too pensive in mood
hats off to Papa Rudi for even thinking about digging it to the accordian let alone actually fixing it,, and Mona – what a gutsy move teaching herself to play it and its not even a beginner model. When talent meets opportunity amazing things happen,
The usual suspect would be ‘We Can Work it Out’. I’m going out on a limb. One of the sixties best songs with an accordion is ‘How Can I be Sure’ by Young Rascals.
My guess for the song is Sounds of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel. I agree with Jung that We Can Work It Out would be great, but I think it would be tough to beat the Christmas livestream version. Thinking about that livestream still gives me so much happiness as it was so nice seeing our favorites for such an extended time! The Wagner family is so awesome!
Such an instrument is ideal for zydeco or cajun music. It would be great if you could play one of these songs.
Pietro, or is it Peter, is beautiful. Finding treasures like this is super kool. Again, who has the koolest Dad in the world? Amazing!
We were thinking you were going to use this on one of your songs, and didn’t even consider a cover. Then when I saw Jeff’s guess, well that just makes sense. Nice one Jeff. There’s no escape from the music in the whole damn street. Ya, Squeezebox is a great song.
Love hearing you are editing videos, accent on the plural.
JP
Thanks, JP! While my “Squeezebox” guess was, admittedly, not 100% serious (I like to kid around), I love that song and know MLT would be awesome doing it! It’s one of those ditties I can’t help singing along with.
My dear friend Werner from Germany plays the accordion and I am sure would be a massive fan of the MLT’s. Here he is playing outside.
More about Werner Betz here: https://www.facebook.com/werner.betz.9
What a beautiful instrument.
Papa Rudi reminds me so much of my dad, who could play dozens of instruments (including accordion) and fix virtually anything.
You are so lucky to have him, learn all you can from him!
(hugs all around!)
On second thought, I know what song it has to be! You will have to change the lyrics to ” Mona’s got a squeeze box, Papa Rudi never sleeps at night” though!
Well my guess would be “We Can Work It Out”, just as the three of you worked it out acquiring that beautiful accordion and fixed it up. In the Beatles video of this song, I see John on the organ and I can see where an accordion would work well there. And also the fact you both played “We Can Work It Out” at the live stream at Christmas makes me think you might have felt the song could do with an accordion. Oooh that will be awesome if I am correct.
I’m just so tickled and impressed with you guys, DIY masters of all. Soon between Mona and Lisa, and with Papa Rudi’s genius on the multi track, you can do an entire band and orchestra with Mona on the guitar, blues harp, trombone, flute, accordion, drums and all things rhythmic, and Lisa on the lead guitar, bass, ukelele, mandolin, banjitar, and cello! In the pictures Papa Rudi is a true technical wizard and now part time accordion restoration specialist! 🙂
That accordion at the end in those pictures look beautiful, what a superb restoration! Thanks for sharing these pictures, always love seeing all you do in the background to create your beautiful beautiful music. 🙂
Another great story of their day to day that they share with us.
I agree with Stephen, is there anything Rudy can’t do?
I don’t imagine what melody they will play with the accordion but I’m sure it will be great.
Herr Wagner you truely are amazing.
I’m one of those people who actually likes the accordion, so now we wait to hear it …
I’m so impressed with Rudi’s skills. It looks like a craftsman instrument and I hope you enjoy playing it. Whoever made it all those years ago is lucky it found its way to such a home of music.
Looks pretty cool. And still serviceable! Has all the charm of an old saxophone.
Wow, this is exciting! Is there anything Rudi can NOT do? I positively love your sense of adventure and wanting to try new things. I cannot wait to find out what treasure you are going to be giving us using this new found addition to the MLT musical arsenal!!! Awesome!
Rudolph Wagner is truly a modern Renaissance Man, not unlike my own Dad, fixing or salvaging something! Now, a Duo Session song with an accordion…I’m swinging between The (Young) Rascals’ “How Can I Be Sure” and the Rolling Stones’ “Back Street Girl”.
Ah, the accordion, one of my late musical minded uncles, I think had one in his instrument collection if sorts, and I’ve always loved the accordion and recall seeing it being pjayed on Canadian TV music shows, such as The Irish Rovers Show on CBC, Family Brown show, Tommy Hunter, etc. I think my Kindergarten teacher had one, she had an auto harp, that I loved, was fascinated by and got to pluck on…. Kudos to Magic Music Fingers Papa Rudi for tackling the rejuvenation restoration of this accordion, looking forward to its debut ….
Jacki, I know that this is a very late response to your original post, but I was looking at the restoration pics and had to comment. The Irish Rovers! Tommy Hunter! As an American who grew up three miles from the Canadian border I remember these shows on the CBC. Often they would be on before Hockey Night in Canada…GO LEAFS GO!
Oh, these and shows like Material World, The Friendly Giant, The King of Kensington, and The Beachcombers made the CBC great, along with their great radio programming like The Vinyl Cafe and The Inside Track. Canada rules!
Hi Christopher, Thanks for replying back, yes, all those TV shows, I enjoyed, lol…am an Ottawa Sens fan moreso than Leafs but back in the 70s, it was either Leafs /Canadiens Cheering Squad at our house as the Sens resurrection hadn’t occured yet ( I had not been aware that the Original Sens had existed in early 1900s until the modern franchise was re-established in early- mid 1990s…lol…I was actually from Nepean before it agalmated with Ottawa some years back…. CJOH had alot great TV shows too back in the day too… ????????????
Oh yes, the Senators! The “Battle of Ontario” featuring both regular season and playoff games with the Maple Leafs. Also, a big rivalry with our hometown Sabres. The Sens have always been a favorite opponent.
Looked it up, CJOH was your CTV affiliate. We receive CFTO Toronto. It is too bad that CTV has latched on to U.S. content. They had some great Canadian content. The Littlest Hobo, all the Bobby Van stuff, and a show that was so bad it was so good; namely, The Trouble With Tracy.
One of my favorite musical artists is Jann Arden. My wife, Deborah, became a big fan after I took her to one of her concerts. Her CTV show, Jann, was great!
When I was growing up, I always teased my mom that she should have crossed the border and had me at the Niagara Falls, Ontario hospital so I could claim Canadian citizenship. Come on, Mom, what was another mile and a half…lol.
I smell a Weird Al cover on the horizon!
I love the sound of an accordion .. what a nice surprise are you preparing for us? it’ll be perfect as always certainly. I can’t wait … and congratulations to Papa Rudi for the restoration, the accordion is really beautiful ..
That really is a beautiful instrument, and suits you well, Mona! I won’t hazzard a guess as to which song you may use it on, but can’t wait to hear it! I agree with Gary, your Dad continually amazes me with his hidden talents and abilities! I’m a toolmaker by trade, so consequently good with my hands and fixing things around the house, but I don’t think I’d ever delve into the innards of an ancient accordian willingly! Bless all of you, and thanks so much for posting yet another quirky, fascinating adventure!
Hi Girls and Family,
First Your Dad Blows my Mind, I believe he can build, repair or invent just about anything.
Amazing!
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Accordion didn’t show up on maybe “We Can Work It Out” or possibly but doubtful on “Rocky Racoon.” Nah, that’s to far out there.
Lisa and Mona, I’m sure whatever you do it will be Wonderful!
Do me one favor, just don’t change your names to the “Polka Twins.”
Love to all.