Melodeons
The story of Black Diamond Melodeons ...
When Black Diamond introduced our Standard D/G Melodeon in 2011, we had one simple aim: to provide a good-value, reliable, entry-level instrument. This Chinese-made model, with Italian Cagnoni reeds, proved so popular that it quickly became (and remains) our best-selling instrument. Perfect for beginners, it's also gained a reputation as a great 'spare', or 'wet-weather' box for experienced players.
Many players who learned on our Standard instruments have since returned to ask us for our recommendations for an upgrade. It's been a difficult question to answer. There are many good instruments on the market, the majority of which are made in and around the town of Castelfidardo, Italy, the historic home of the accordion. The Italians have been supplying the world with accordions and melodons for the last 150 years and their expertise in manufacture is unparalleled. But there are hundreds of models – which to choose?
An obvious solution for us would have been to import selected models from the well-known brands, but there are already plenty of shops doing just that and we felt it wasn't the right solution for us, for two reasons: first, we'd be competing directly with our friends and secondly, it wouldn't offer customers anything new.
Instead, we chose to commission a co-operative endeavour, selecting the very best makers of each component working together to create new Black Diamond models designed especially for the British market. After several trips to Italy to visit the workshops, we settled on the team of craftsmen who would build the Black Diamond Italian range.
Designed in England by Jon Loomes, one of Britain's leading experts on free reed instruments, the four different models specifically address the needs of British players.
We have given all our Italian instruments lovely names rather than boring model numbers, and named them after members of our families. All models are in D/G, Anahata layout, 4th button start: we believe this is the most useful layout for Morris and English Session repertoire.
Giulietta
Celluloid two-voice melodeon
Giulietta has been designed partly with cost in mind and is an exercise in providing the most 'bang for buck' while still retaining first rate quality. The physical dimensions of the instrument have been optimised for tonal response and balance during playing. The recessed bass buttons and right hand keyboard layout put the player’s hands in a better ergonomic position than most other models. This allows greater bellows control and decreased risk of RSI.
Built in marine-grade plywood and finished in smart black celluloid, the instrument is strong, light and responsive. Standard reeds on aluminium shoes minimises weight and helps keep the cost down. However, as with the world's very finest accordions, the reeds are pinned to the blocks (rather than held in with beeswax), which adds volume and punch and makes tuning and repair a much easier, cleaner job.
Loud and easy speaking, Giulietta will carry excellently for outdoor performance and make its presence felt in any session.
We named the instrument after Black Diamond's co-founder, Juliet.
Black celluloid on plywood
Standard Ciccarelli reeds
21 Treble keys
8 Bass buttons
2 Voices
Eleonora
Compact celluloid single-voice melodeon
Eleonora, the smallest and least expensive model in our Italian Range is a compact, single- voiced instrument that packs a lot of punch.
Ideal for younger players, Eleonora has a huge sound for its tiny size. It's also perfect 'second' box for those times when you don't want to carry a heavier instrument.
While there are comparable instruments on the market, most are built to a very high spec and are commensurately expensive. From the
outset, we designed Eleanora with cost-effectiveness in mind. We wanted to create an affordable version of the classic single-voice instrument.
To achieve this, we have used high-quality marine plywood and celluloid, rather than solid tonewoods, for the case and machine reeds rather than the hand-made type.
The resulting instrument punches well above its weight, with a pleasing tone, great volume and response.Eleonora is named after Greg's daughter, Ellie.
Black celluloid on plywood
Machine-made Ciccarelli reeds
21 Treble keys
8 Bass buttons
1 Voice
D/G Melodeon
Black Diamond's best-selling D/G melodeon is an ideal "starter box" for beginners as well as a popular "second box" for experienced players looking for a robust little workhorse for session and outdoor Morris work.
Made in China with Cagnoni reeds for a great Italian sound at an irresistible price.
Cagnoni reeds
21 treble buttons
8 bass buttons
3.3 kg, excluding straps
(3.9 kg incl straps and soft rucksack-style carrying case)
“For the price I was very impressed. The keyboard had a nice feel, the action was light, the Cagnoni reeds were very responsive and the bellows not at all stiff. Generally the box felt like it was well put together.“ melodeon.net
“A very good starter/intermediate box and with the Italian reeds, very sweet. Held its own for speed when we really got going. Nice left hand sounds.“ melodeon.net
“Very good value indeed ... nice to play and sounded good as well.“ melodeon.net
“Impressed by sound, movement and quality in general ... a bargain.“ - a happy customer
“A real gem ... a great little box, very light, very quick and a beautiful Italian sound.“ James Delarre
Scroll down for videos