Special Edition

Fall - 2006

Volume 1, Number 1

In This Issue

·    MMUSA returns from Italy – meets w/mfgs.

·    Best Bets for 2007

Contact Us

Music Magic USA.com

Toll-Free (N. America) (888) 887-0975

Photos – Top to Bottom

 
- Music Magic USA’s Alex & Lillianna Chudolij with the Menghinis in the Suoni factory.

- Suoni’s Marketing Director, Fausto Fabi and Office Manager Selenia Menghini are presented with Music Magic USA’s coveted Preferred Supplier Award by MMUSA President, Alex Chudolij.

- One of the largest accordion factories in Italy – housing the manufacturing facilities for Scandalli, Paolo Soprani and SEM.

- Alex and Sergio Capecci, Export Manager for Ottavianelli Accordions inside the factory.

- Alex and the Ottavianellis (father and sons) outside the factory entrance.

- Outside the Alessandrini Accordion factory entrance (founding father, son (Tonino - the owner) and daughter - Daniela).

- Working on an accordion in the Alessandrini workshop.

- Brandoni craftsmen hard at work in the factory’s expansive manufacturing area.

- Brandoni & Sons owner Giampaolo Bompezzo watching as we conduct a final check of our customer’s Model 149 order.

Music Magic USA returns from Italy after meeting with manufacturers
Several new models planned for 2007

Castelfidardo, Italy - Music Magic Accordions USA returned from a week-long series of visits and meetings with their primary Italian accordion and electronics business partners.  Several new initiatives were proposed and new models were reviewed – from models being freshly introduced by the manufacturers to models conceived by Music Magic USA and designed jointly along with selected Italian factories. 

As a result of these meetings, Music Magic USA can assure its customers that their wishes are being relayed to Italy and that Music Magic USA will continue to remain at the forefront of new accordion design, contribute to the proliferation of new model choices as well as create an atmosphere of excitement which will develop the next generation of accordion users as well as manufacturers.

  Suoni – First stop was at the Suoni factory in the heart of Castelfidardo’s industrial section.  Formerly the Menghini factory, Suoni represents a joint ownership interest in which the Menghini family still plays the prominent day-to-day operational role – whether it be supervising and providing their many decades of expertise to the manufacture of fine accordions on the factory floor or the managing of the financial sales transactions in their 2^nd floor business office.  Suoni is responsible for the preservation of some of the accordion world’s most revered brands.  Namely, Paolo Soprani, Scandalli and SEM are all built at the Suoni factory – each  brand retaining the individuality and design characteristics of the original brand’s models as a result of the continuity of their manufacturing resulting from employment of experienced and knowledgeable artisans familiar with the original models and also having the necessary design plans (from body geometry to grille design to reed and reed block design and even having details on original tone chamber design and keyboard characteristics).

Suoni is among the top 3 largest accordion manufacturers in Italy.  They employ dedicated employees for such critical tasks as reed tuning, celluloid application to the accordion shell, as well as to adjustment and assembly of all other internal components.  As a result of Suoni’s tremendous capabilities, they are one of the only accordion manufacturers who have actually exclusively sanctioned and jointly developed the amazing Ciao reedless accordion and Ciao midi system – both under the SEM banner.  This system has been available on all Suoni accordions for the past 2 years and there are many satisfied Music Magic USA customers currently enjoying this 400 sound midi system and its incredible user simplicity and realistic tonal qualities.

Best Bets for 2007 – Our favorite Suoni models in the coming year are as follows:

·         SEM Ciao NEW! Version 2 Reedless – just 14 lbs, attractive price, unparalleled ease of use and ability to select ANY of the 400 internal sounds on-the-fly as you perform!! Now with dozens of global registration memories and ability to separate the audio output of the left hand bass from the output of the right hand melody!!

·         NEW! SCANDALLI Polifonico XIVs – without a doubt, one of the finest non-tone chambered 41/120 full sized models made anywhere!  Music Magic USA personally previewed this model at the factory and we immediately placed an order for it.  The keyboard feel is quick, quiet and shallow for the ability to maximize any accordionist’s display of dexterity.  The bass section is quite deep and rich – just the way most of our customers prefer.  This is not just another 41/120 model.  The new Polifonico XIVs is visually virtually identical to the legendary SCANDALLI SuperVI flagship.  The body shell used for the XIVs is different than that used for other Polifonico models.  It is like the Super VI, right down to the available ivory-look keyboard and oversized rounded Super VI grille registers.  Of course, like every full sized Scandalli, the Polifonico XIVs has the signature Scandalli 9 register bass section and specially dampened keyboard which virtually eliminates mechanical noise.  The quality of sound from the XIVs’ fully hand made reeds with traditional top quality kidskin leather reed vents makes it competitive with many other manufacturers’ tone chambered models – but without the extra weight and cost.

·         SCANDALLI Super VI Vintage – the present day evolution of a legend.  Today’s Super VI is much more than a name, it is an assurance of high quality achieved by few accordions today through the preservation and implementation of the same design characteristics which made the original SCANDALLI Super VI gain its enviable reputation for sound and manufacturing quality.  With the absolute finest quality hand made reeds (BINCI available on request) and premium wood cassotto construction, this incredibly manageable ~26lb double chambered model is a performer’s accordion perfect for the most demanding concert, classical, jazz or Balkan venues.

Ottavianelli – On the perimeter of Castelfidardo’s historic center is located the Ottavianelli Ovidio Accordion Factory.  Inside we found Mr. Ottavianelli and his two sons busy working on a couple of customer orders while an employee was in the back woodworking/machine shop cutting out the opening designs in an accordion grille with a jigsaw.  All around was evidence of the in-house manufacturing capability of this small family run factory with wooden accordion shells being prepared for further processing and reed blocks being cut right in the shop.  As with most of today’s accordion manufacturers, the celluloiding of the body and some of the tuning steps are performed by skilled specialists who perform these functions for many of the manufacturers.  However, specifications for reeds and keyboard characteristics are provided by the manufacturer.  In the case of Ottavianelli, each accordion is worked on individually and, as a result, most customization special requests are welcomed and given personalized attention.  Ottavianelli has provided Music Magic USA with a number of special models – some designed and/or conceptualized by Music Magic USA.  These include the visually unmistakable and avante garde Golden Pearl, the increasingly popular Balkan SILA (which is an easier to manage full sized cassotto model with the characteristics required for a true Balkan accordion (originally only found on particular models from Dallape and Guerrini), the stage performer oriented exclusive Showtime model with everything from on-board midi sounds to sound sensitive grille lighting to the finest Binci Pro hand made reeds. 

The newest design from Italy for 2007 will be the uniquely different Ottavianelli Angle, designed and conceived by Music Magic USA with manufacturing and idea realization by Ottavianelli.  This model changes the rules about accordion ergonomics and optimizes the playability, reduces fatigue, and provides a combination of sound quality, reasonable cost, and improved playability of the instrument.  In addition, the Angle’s keyboard design was conceived in our presence during our Italian meeting with Ottavianelli and Castelfidardo’s keyboard specialist. The result is a combination of an incredibly fast, shallow and quiet keyboard which would be hard to find on another manufacturer’s accordion – all integrated into a fresh new ergonomically and tonally improved design that may just be the catalyst to encourage other accordion manufacturers to explore new, bolder designs.

Best Bests for 2007 – Our favorite Ottavianelli models in the coming year are as follows:

·         NEW! OTTAVIANELLI Angle – progressive body designed in collaboration with Music Magic USA.  Ergonomics, playability and a world class keyboard – all in a mainstream 4/5 reed Musette or Continental tuning configuration with standard premium hand finished reeds, factory microphones and unique new “Angle” full  body ornamentation.  Another one of our design ideas has been realized in this model – namely, our new, one of a kind, Ricochet™ keyboard register system which will allow you to more quickly and conveniently make your primary register changes. The new “angle” concept has even been incorporated in the internal acoustic design resulting in enhanced tonal quality.  All this can only be found at Music Magic USA – contact us for all the exciting details and availability.

·         OTTAVIANELLI Balkan Sila – newest addition to the top of the line Artist Special series, this model boasts a slightly LESS bulky profile for a double tone chambered model with Super Pro Hand Made Reeds.  The Balkan Sila weighs no more than most non-chambered 41/120 models, yet has the tonal depth, response and power that performing musicians such as those depicting the high energy music of the Balkans require.  Each treble reed set is individually selectable to allow the maximum ability to provide contrasting tonal colors to your performance.  As with all of Ottavianelli’s premium models, the keyboard speed and bass depth are at the top end of what the industry has to offer.

Alessandrini – On a winding road climbing a country hillside in the suburbs of Castelfidardo lies one of the smaller accordion factories which for over 50 years has been engaged in what is obviously a love affair with as well as the perfection of the art of accordion building.  We were warmly greeted by the Alessandrinis upon our arrival.  Every employee we saw was a family member related to the young owner, Tonino Alessandrini – son of one of the founding brothers of the company.  At the Alessandrini artisan shop we found Tonino’s elderly father hard at work doing what he has enjoyed doing since his early days in the accordion business over a half century ago while employed at the Paolo Soprani Factory.  Tuning and reed setup, reed block manufacture, body lathing, and rather uniquely, manufacture of their own 19.0” keyboard known for its shallower keyboard depression and lighter touch is all done on location.  Alessandrini has made some special models for Music Magic USA over the years.  We have actually been importing Alessandrini Accordions for almost a decade.  Our exclusive Polka Magic – designed by Music Magic USA and manufactured by Alessandrini as the only true Cleveland-Style polka accordion made today with all the features required for such a model has been deemed to be so authentic that it has been included as a permanent interactive exhibit at the Polka Hall of Fame and Museum in the Cleveland, Ohio area.  Also, the Europa was one of the first modern day wood finish accordions with “old world style” scrolled keyboard ends and a genuine hand painted and lacquered Italian music-box style finish.

Best Bets for 2007 – Our favorite Alessandrini models for the coming year include the following:

·         ALESSANDRINI Polka Magic – Music Magic USA’s exclusive authentic Cleveland-Style polka accordion available in either full sized 41/120 or the lightweight reduced 37/96 size Polka Magic Jr.  Both models have identical specifications, reed configuration, hand made reeds, Sennheiser microphones and the same special Cleveland Style tuning.  Polka Magic – the choice of Grammy Award winning polka bands!

·         ALESSANDRINI Pro 11 – Cassotto model with 2 sets of reeds in the tone chamber.  The best cost to performance ratio of any top of the line model from any of the high quality Italian manufacturers.  Rich, low G bass, wooden resonant bass plate, a proprietary keyboard design and construction, as well as a number of exclusive design characteristics make this the best choice for a top of the line tone chambered model at a more reasonable cost.

·         ALESSANDRINI Pro 9 – Our best selling accordion model for the past 8 years!  Full sized 41/120 model in either Musette, Continental or Polka tuning.  Rich sound and playability – this is the most robust, rounded sound possible in a non-chambered model. 

Brandoni – Approaching the historic section of Castelfidardo, there is a large sign above the main road which informs passers-by of the location of the Brandoni and Bompezzo Accordions factory located in the old Excelsior accordion factory.  (Today, Excelsior is made by the Pigini factory as well as some models now being imported from former communist bloc countries.)   The Brandoni factory is completely renovated with modern offices, large warehouse area and a mid-sized factory workshop where all of the craftsmen, headed by owner Giampaolo Bompezzo, were performing a variety of delicate operations.  The meticulous attention to detail and the quality construction of all Brandoni accordions becomes not as surprising once we had the opportunity to spend a few days with Giampaolo- both in the factory and socially.  It is rare to find a person as dedicated to his work and as detail oriented and independent-minded as Mr. Bompezzo.  Already, his older teenage son is taking seriously to the business as we observed him skillfully sketching a new grille design for a new model.  Brandoni is what can be considered a “premium” brand as this manufacturer does not have a line of student models at all – just semi-pro and professional quality piano and button models – including Brandoni’s stunning real mahogany wood finish line available in the widest range of sizes.  Each Wood Line model is equipped only with fully hand made reeds and has the power and projection along with the interior attention to detail that has earned Brandoni its place on the top shelf of accordions manufacturers today.

Best Bets for 2007 – Our favorite Brandoni models for the 2007 lineup  are:

·         The entire Brandoni Wood Line – Each model is unique and equally high in quality – from the feather-light Model 65 (30/72, 17lbs) to the Model 68 (34/96, 20.5 lbs) with a full 11 treble and 7 bass registers and a full 4/5 sets of HM Reeds, to the incredible double tone chambered Model 149 flagship with 5/5 sets of HM Reeds and 25 different treble registers for the greatest tonal variety of any accordion in the world.

·         Stay tuned for the result of a Music Magic USA / Brandoni cooperative acoustic/electronic development project - Planned for completion in mid-2007.  The target will be a ~20 lb hybrid model with a combination of acoustic and electronic capabilities not currently offered on any production accordion.

Excitement is building - As a result of Music Magic USA’s meetings, discussions and cooperative efforts with our key manufacturing partners, Music Magic USA is proud to be instrumental in  bringing innovation – in the form of new models with the quality and exclusive features that will make their introduction true milestones in the history of accordion manufacturing.

We look forward to your interest, inquiries and orders for the exclusive new Music Magic USA preferred accordion lineup for 2007!