An accordion can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars, depending on the quality and features of the instrument. While an expensive accordion may be tempting, it’s important to consider your needs and budget before making a purchase. There are many affordable options available that will provide you with years of enjoyment.
Expect to pay between $500 and $600 for a new beginner accordion. From a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, the amount of keys/button, brand, and quality can all affect the price. Professional models constructed to order might cost upwards of $15,000 (USD) per unit.
All of it boils down to what kind of accordion you want…or if you want a classic accordion at all. Accordingly, I decided to take a closer look at the most popular accordion instruments
- Piano Accordions
- Button Accordions
- Concertina
When looking into accordion prices, I assume most people aren’t interested in spending the extra money on a custom-made instrument.
Piano Accordions
When someone mentions an accordion, this is the first thing that comes to mind. They are perfect for folks who already know how to play the piano because they don’t have to learn the button accordion’s fingering system.
Because they are a bit larger, heavier, and lack the same range as button models, they aren’t ideal for everyone.
Based on an entry-level average-sized instrument, I’ll try to estimate the price, but keep in mind the following:
- Wood Type
- Decorated with a lot of detail (Brass Work, Inlays, etc.)
- Mutes
- Palm Switch
Even while all of these models can be purchased online, I strongly recommend trying them out in person before purchasing high-cost things like musical instruments.
Although, Hohner has received excellent reviews and appears to be the most popular choice, this may not be the case for all users.
The cost of the instrument (Low Average for Brand)
- Hohner $850
- Sofiamari $580
- Rossetti $700
Button Accordions
The button-fingering mechanism on button accordions is thought to be more difficult to learn than on piano accordions because of this. The buttons are closer together than keys, making it easier for players to play quickly once they’ve learned how to use them.
They can be divided into two primary categories:
There will be only one row of buttons on a diatonic (Bisoniric) standard model, and it will be tuned to a single pitch and will only play in that scale.
When a button is pressed, it will play one note when the bellows are open and another note when they are closed. Open or closed, the bellows will switch between tonic and dominant chords on the bass buttons.
Folk music and songs with simple chord progressions are the primary uses for this sort of accordion.
These versions are comparable to piano accordions. As a result, they will be capable of playing several octaves as well as having 3-5 ranks instead of a single row of buttons like diatonic versions.
The term “unisonoric” refers to the fact that the same note is played regardless of whether the bellows are open or closed.
Musicians in jazz and performance halls prefer to use chromatic models because they will be able to transpose on the fly, which is difficult with a diatonic instrument.
When putting together a general price list, it can be tough to decide on a button accordion design or size. A wide range of sizes and button layouts means that the price can vary significantly.
Price of an Instrument (Low Average for Brand)
- 600 dollars for a Diatonic Hohner
- For $650, you can buy Alacran (Diatonic)
- (Chromatic) $1800 by M.Gerarda
- (Chromatic) $5000 Hohner
Concertina
An accordion “free reed” instrument, the concertina is a smaller version of the accordion. Because of the rows of buttons used to modify pitch, it more closely resembles button-style accordions. Like button accordions, it can be built either unisonoric or bisonoric.
What sets it apart is its unique hexagonal design and the fact that the buttons are positioned on the sides rather than forward facing.
The concertina is a difficult instrument to explore because there are so many sizes and variants on it, and two instruments that would become the concertina were developed at the same time in England and Germany in the early 1800s. Because of this, concertinas today come in at least three distinct varieties:
English & Duet – Usually chromatic and unisonoric, having a key arrangement that alternates between the left and right hands.
German – German concertinas are bisonoric, which means they contain many reeds per note to produce a sympathetic buzzing. They are slightly larger than English concertinas (vibrato effect.)
Anglo -English instrument builders liked and produced a concertina with German fingerings that is more suited to traditional English folk music.
All have a similar sound but differ in button arrangement, making it impossible for a player who only knows how to play an English concertina to pick up a German model and play it.
Price of an Instrument (Low Average for Brand)
- $250 for a Hohner
- $260 Musicians Gear
- Wren (Anglo) $500
- A Sparrow (English) is worth approximately $600.
What Kind of Music Do You Prefer to Perform in the Future?
- Concertina or Accordion?
- Musical Instruments in either Piano or Button Style
- Diatonic or Chromatic
- A Unisonoric or Bisonoric approach to music
Start looking into brands and prices after you’ve decided on those things.
How much does it cost to buy a second-hand accordion?
Several factors influence the accordion’s resale value:
- Accordion’s condition
- The brand
- The size and options
To get a ballpark figure, you’ll need to know the following: Afterwards, you have two choices: either sell or learn to play. It is to be hoped that you choose the second alternative!
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The accordion’s condition
Playability is more important than antiquity when it comes to secondhand accordions. If the accordion needs to be repaired, the repair costs should be deducted from the accordion’s value. There may be a cost associated with the bellows if they appear to be mouldy. Because of this, you may need to replace the reeds!
The age of an accordion doesn’t really important, but for one reason: they’ve become better through time. Aside from regular tune and maintenance, accordions have a useful lifespan of up to twenty years.
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The brand
Of course, the brand is also an important factor in determining the item’s value. There must be a thousand or more of these things. Most Chinese and East European accordions (Hero, Delicia and Weltmeister/Bandmaster) cost less and are of lower quality than German, Austrian and Italian ones.
In terms of diatonic accordions, Castagnari and Saltarelle are two of the best-known brands.
Wheatstone and Lachenal are good brands for concertinas. A classic English-made concertina is more valuable than a factory-made Italian concertina like Bastari/Stagi/Hohner/Gremlin/Titano, which is closer to an accordion than a real concertina.
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Size and characteristics
As a last consideration, the accordion’s size and characteristics are taken into account. A diatonic accordion is less valuable than a piano accordion. For diatonic accordions, it appears that the smaller the box, the more expensive it seems to be. Concertinas are little, but that doesn’t mean they’re cheap.
Final thoughts on how much an accordion cost
So, how much does an accordion cost? Accordions can vary in price greatly depending on the make and model. You can find a basic starter accordion for around $100, or you could spend upwards of $10,000 on a professional-level instrument. No matter what your budget is, there’s definitely an accordion out there that will fit your needs!
