Paolo Soprani Paolo VI

About the Paolo Soprani Paolo VI

The Paolo VI is a five-row chromatic button accordion (C-system, referred to in Italian as C Griff), the layout where each row is a chromatic step apart, giving a button accordionist access to every key through consistent fingering patterns rather than the fixed-key limitation of a diatonic instrument. Five rows rather than three or four gives a wider practical range and more fingering options for advanced players, positioned as a professional concert-level instrument rather than an entry model.

Paolo Soprani built its reputation specifically supplying semitone-tuned button accordions (B/C and C#/D systems) to the Irish and British markets starting in the early 20th century - a tuning system distinct from the continental European chromatic standard - and by the 1940s the grey Paolo Soprani had become the standard instrument among Irish traditional musicians, a role the modern Jubilee line continues. The Paolo VI carries that same semitone-system heritage into current production.

Where to buy

• Reverb 3.146 EUR Best price View details

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Source: https://reverb.com/item/91261533-paolo-soprani-paolo-vi-5-rows-button-accordion-made-in-italy-c-griff-professional-concert-accordeone-de-botones-straps-and-hard-case-2591

Sound character of the Paolo Soprani Paolo VI

As a chromatic (not diatonic) button accordion in the C-system semitone layout, every button plays the same pitch on push and draw, unlike the bisonoric diatonic accordions here - this unisonoric action, paired with a professional-grade reed block, favors the fast, fluid ornamentation central to Irish traditional playing over the percussive bellows-shake style of diatonic folk accordions.

Technical data for the Paolo Soprani Paolo VI

Price history for the Paolo Soprani Paolo VI

Cheapest seen: 3.146 EUR  ·  Most expensive seen: 3.146 EUR

The history of the Paolo Soprani Paolo VI

Paolo Soprani began building accordions in Castelfidardo, Italy in 1863 after being inspired by an Austrian pilgrim's musical box, and by 1905 was producing 1,200 accordions a month by hand - founding what became Italy's dominant accordion-manufacturing region and, through decades of exporting semitone-tuned instruments, effectively defining the standard Irish traditional button accordion.