Accordions are fascinating box-shaped free-reed aerophone musical instruments. These instruments are used around the world in folk and pop music genres.
When choosing the best accordion, there are plenty of options for beginner, intermediate and professional accordionists. In this article, we’ll consider the top 11 best accordion brands in the world today.
Though obviously subjective and prone to biases, I’ve done my best to list these brands based on the following metrics (in no particular order):
- Company reputation
- Variety of accordions
- Performance of the accordions
- Longevity of the accordions
- Accessibility of the accordions (how easy they are to find/buy)
- The company/brand must currently be in operation
With all that being said, let’s list out the brands.
The top 11 best accordion brands in the world are:
Let’s get into each of these brands in greater detail and explain why they belong in the top 11 best accordion brands for music and audio production. I’ll share their country of origin, a bit of history, a notable accordion example, and a link to their official website.
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• Top 11 Best Online Resources To Learn How To Play Accordion
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Click here to return to My New Microphone’s articles on musical equipment brands/manufacturers.
Hohner
Matthias was originally a clockmaker. This is not a minor detail by any means; it is the competitive advantage that took him to build the world’s largest harmonica factory during his lifetime. Moreover, after conquering the market on both sides of the ocean, Hohner is still considered a synonym with affordability, amazing sounds, and uncanny durability today.
As a result, you can spot Hohner accordions and harmonicas on the biggest stages in the world being played by legends. If you want an accordion made with the precision of a clock, oozing tone, and playability, Hohner is a must-try before you buy.
Notable accordion: Hohner Bravo III 120 (link to check the price at Sweetwater)
This student-oriented accordion offers all the specs of higher-end models and features the Hohner sound in an affordable and durable combo. Moreover, the design includes 120 standard basses, which means you can play any style of your choice, including jazz, polka, rock, or classic.
This makes it even more suitable for beginners because you don’t have to narrow the scope of your lessons to the capabilities of your instrument. Finally, it comes with a dedicated gig bag and straps so you can take it everywhere with you and protect it every time it leaves your house.
Official website: hohner.de
Hohner was founded by Matthias Hohner in 1857. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Hohner is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!
Borsini
The Borsini family has been making some of the best accordions in the world for over a century. This has given the company leverage and a level of know-how that few other brands can speak of. Moreover, the entire manufacturing process is taken care of in-house, including the internal and external structure of each accordion. In this vein, the company’s experts handcraft every unit with the same tools their ancestors did.
Every Borsini accordion invites the player to take a trip to the past with every note. Handmade in Italy with passion, Borsini accordions can take your playing to a higher plateau sound-wise.
Notable accordion: Borsini Superstar 2000 V RS (link to check it out at Borsini)
The Borsini Superstar 2000 V RS is what the company calls an “Opera d’arte”, which means “work of art”. Indeed, this beautiful piano accordion is entirely handmade to the highest international standards and oozes tone across the entire register. Moreover, because of its 120 basses, there’s nothing you can’t play on it with outstanding results.
Finished in glossy black with silver ornaments, this Borsini accordion plays and sounds just as good as it looks.
Official website: borsiniaccordions.it
The Borsini family founded the brand in 1922. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Castelfidardo, Italy.
Roland
Roland represents the best of Japanese technology applied to musical instruments. Therefore, the company builds on classical designs to create hybrid, electronic, or electroacoustic versions of them. They have done so with pianos, cajon, drums, keyboards, and many other instruments, achieving outstanding results every time.
The leverage of being a sound innovator transformed the word Roland into a synonym for cutting-edge technology, reliability, performance, and great sounds. If you want the most advanced accordion on the market, you have to try Roland.
Notable accordion: Roland FR-8X (link to check the price at Sweetwater)
This is Roland’s flagship keyboard V-Accordion and is the result of having heard what pro accordionists look for in their instruments. For example, the dynamics of the bellows mimic exactly the behaviour of acoustic accordions, but you can trigger a plethora of accordion, percussion, and world-class orchestra sounds. Moreover, you can save your custom creations in one of the 1,400 user-programmable memories. Finally, the four dedicated multi-effect engines and the easy-to-use, chin-operated user interface make it a dynamic and powerful instrument.
Official website: roland.com
The Roland Corporation was founded in 1972 by Ikutaro Kakehashi. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Hamamatsu, Japan.
Roland is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!
Weltmeister
The tradition behind Weltmeister can be traced back to the first accordions that entered Germany in 1852. The presence of that instrument changed the landscape of musical instrument production in the country, and many companies were formed to satisfy the demand for good accordions in the region.
Between 1948 and 1992, all the factories spawned during that period were joined under the same government administration sharing best practices and secrets while searching for the way to build the best accordion ever built. Weltmeister is one of the heir brands of that fruitful exchange. In other words, every instrument leaving the factory bears over 150 years of history in every note.
Notable accordion: Weltmeister Saphir (link to check the price at Thomann)
41 keys, 11 tones, and 120 basses make this a great instrument to play any music style because it covers a vast sonic ground. Moreover, it is the ideal instrument for those in need of a soloist-friendly accordion not only because this instrument can shine visually on the stage but also because playability is sky-high, and so is its definition. Finally, it comes fully equipped with a hard case and straps to make carrying and playing live a breeze.
Official website: akkordeonmanufaktur.de
Weltmeister was born in 2017 after Harmona Akkordeon GmbH changed its name. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Klingenthal, Germany.
Pigini
The Pigini experience is more than just the pleasure of playing one of the best-made accordions on the planet; it is the pinnacle of the tradition of one of Italy’s most prestigious music regions. Indeed, every accordion to leave the factory bears the DNA of generations contributing to taking the instrument to the next level.
But that’s not all since every Pigini accordion is the result of restless innovation over the quintessential design by passionate experts. For example, the “Convertor Series” represents the evolution of accordions coming from Italy.
If you haven’t already, check one out today and hear the difference.
Notable accordion: Pigini Convertor 55/P 45 De Luxe (link to check it out at Pigini)
The Convertor models feature extensions from 16 to 58 left notes and 20 to 64 right notes. This means it is the most complete free basses accordion range on the market. Moreover, the De Luxe version is a visually attractive, superior performance accordion that is ready to take over any stage regardless of the music you love playing. Finally, the glossy black finish with the handmade ornaments gives it a look to match the sound.
Official website: pigini.com
Pigini was founded by Filippo Pigini in 1946. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Castelfidardo, Italy.
Rossetti
Rossetti father and son decided to leave their prosperous careers in the aerospace industry to pursue the lifelong dream of making accordions. Moreover, both are accomplished musicians that play several instruments that can add the sensitivity only players have with their instruments to their technical engineering knowledge.
Rossetti is the missing link between modern construction techniques and classic tones.
Notable accordion: Rossetti 3460 (link to check the price on Amazon)
60 bass buttons divided into 5 rows, a bellow with 18 folds for bigger sound, and premium Italian decoration make this a great-looking, great-sounding, versatile accordion ready to take any stage. Moreover, the pearlescent finish available in many colours gives it the quintessential accordion look, while the 20 white and 14 black keys make it perfect for any musical style. Finally, it comes equipped with a case and straps for easy carrying and onstage use.
Official website: rossettiaccordions.com
Rossetti was founded by father and son in 1995. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Whittier, California, USA.
Rossetti is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!
Brandoni
Every Brandoni accordion is a masterpiece handmade to the last bolt. This is because the Brandoni family keeps alive the tradition that started it all, one instrument at a time. Moreover, they proudly tell customers that no single piece of industrial equipment is used in the making of any of their accordions.
As a result, Brandoni is a brand that offers the quintessential Italian accordion tones in masterpieces that can endure the passing of time and the hardships of a musician’s life. Besides, every Brandoni proudly bears the “Made in Italy” label.
Notable accordion: Brandoni 149C Infinity (link to check the price at Liberty Bellows)
The perfect mix of jet black and gold with a pearlescent keyboard and a 100% handmade mechanism makes this accordion a masterpiece in terms of sounds and looks. Moreover, the 120 basses allow the player to use it in any music style they choose. Finally, the addition of a dedicated strap and case makes it easy to carry it safely to every gig and play live comfortably.
If you’re after the best accordion money can buy, Brandoni can be a good candidate for the title.
Official website: brandoniaccordions.it
Giovanni Brandoni founded Brandoni in 1949. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Castelfidardo, Italy.
Paolo Soprani
An Austrian pilgrim lost on his way back from the Loreto Sanctuary passed by the Soprani house to get refreshed. He sat by the fireplace and started playing with his extensible box, which surprised young Paolo. Such was his interest that he started studying the strange piece until he found a way to create one.
By 1872, he had a big manufacturing facility in the centre of Castelfidardo and was exporting his creations to all the provinces in Italy. Although he’s gone, the spirit of his endless curiosity and quest for excellence is still present in every accordion bearing his name.
If you are after the quintessential Italian accordion tone and playability, this brand needs to be on your list.
Notable accordion: Paolo Soprani Super Paolo 41/120 (2+2) (link to check the price at Liberty Bellows)
The man is gone, but this is his family’s homage to his relentless spirit and passion. Indeed, this keyboard accordion with 120 basses is available in black or white and represents the pinnacle of Paolo Soprani’s craftsmanship and expertise. Moreover, this is a great instrument to play every kind of music since it covers a vast sonic territory. Finally, it comes equipped with a hard case, so you can use it on every stage while keeping its glory in mint condition.
Official website: paolosoprani.com
Paolo Soprani founded his company in 1864. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Castelfidardo, Italy.
Bugari
Although Bugari started in 1961, Armando inherited his father’s business and a long legacy of accordion makers in Italy’s accordion epicentre: Castelfidardo. Through hard work and commitment to excellence, Bugari reached a privileged place in the market as synonymous with craftsmanship and sound quality.
Nowadays, and since 2012, they operate from a green plant mostly powered by solar power helping the environment and musicians at the same time. If you’re after “that” Italian accordion sound, Bugari needs to be on your list as well.
Notable accordion: Bugari Xoana 288 (link to check the price at Accordion Lounge)
With 41 notes, 120 basses, and a visually-striking body, this is a great example of the Castelfidardo legacy and its reputation for being the epicentre of the Italian accordion tradition. Moreover, the black keyboard with orange sharps and body details create a unique combo that looks as good as it sounds. Finally, with 7 registers on the left hand and 13 on the right hand, there’s nothing you can’t play with this outstanding instrument.
Official website: bugariarmando.com
Armando Bugari founded the company in 1961. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Castelfidardo, Italy.
Victoria
The foundational idea behind Victoria or “La Victoria” as it started was to create next-level accordions. Indeed, neither Dario nor Adriano tried to make the same instruments everybody else in Castelfidardo was making. Hence, the company's name represents the critical acclaim their first creations were received with.
Nowadays, the same legendary sound is ensured in every accordion leaving the factory. Moreover, the company has been shipping the quintessential Italian accordion sound to every corner of the planet for decades.
The name of the company keeps growing as a synonym of impeccable craftsmanship and amazing sound, one Victory at a time.
Notable accordion: Victoria Príncipe Poeta (link to check the price at Accordion Lounge)
Each accordion in this line is a unique piece that can’t be repeated because it is made of specific tonewoods that are hand-picked to work together in a particular way. Therefore, the tone of each piece changes drastically, creating a connection between player and instrument that can only grow with time.
Besides, the naturally-stationed wood for over 7 years is then handmade into an accordion. In other words, every master luthier at the Victoria facility will also leave his mark on the instrument, taking the accordion's uniqueness to the next level.
Official website: accordions.it
Victoria was founded by Dario Dari and Adriano Picchietti in 1919. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Castelfidardo, Italy.
Petosa
Carlo Petosa emigrated from Italy to the USA at age 16 and shortly after began an apprenticeship to start making Italian-style accordions at the Guerrini Accordion Factory. With time, he was able to open his shop and make handmade accordions following what he had learned in his hometown.
His great-grandson currently runs the company, utilizing the same centuries-old tradition his ancestors did. This dedication to tradition has maintained Petosa's reputation as the go-to option for pro players in the USA, one accordion at a time.
Notable accordion: Petosa AM-1000 Leggera MF (link to check the price at Liberty Bellows)
This is the most lightweight accordion offered by Petosa, oozing all the tone and playability of its heavier siblings. Moreover, the solid mahogany double tone chamber (also known as Cassotto) is handmade and offers uncanny resonance to every note. Likewise, the brilliance this instrument is capable of is the result of impeccable craftsmanship but also hand-picked, top-notch materials.
If you are a gigging musician who will spend hours with the instrument hanging from your back, this is a great choice to try before buying.
Official website: petosa.com
Carlo Petosa founded the company in 1922. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Lynnwood, Washington, USA.
Honourable Mentions:
- Sofiamari
- Excalibur
- D’Luca
- Beltuna
- Ottavianelli
- Scandalli
- Giustozzi
- Castagnari
- Ballone Burini
- Titano
- Pancordion
- Excelsior
- Italo-American
- Sonola
- Rizatti
- Bompezzo
- Galanti Musette
- Marinucci
- Fantini
- Dallape
- Supermaestro
- Cavagnolo
- Zero Sette
- Bell
- Mastercraft
- Dallape
- Fratelii Crosio
- Cooperativa
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