Accordion roundup
Accordion: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Type, bass count, bellows condition and price range are the four decisions that shape any first purchase — this guide covers each in enough detail to make a confident choice.
Choosing the Right Accordion Type
The first decision is keyboard type. A piano accordion suits players with an existing keyboard background — the layout is immediately familiar and transfers well from piano. A button accordion offers a more compact playing surface with more notes accessible per hand position, and is preferred in many folk traditions. Unless you have a specific musical context in mind, the piano type is generally the more accessible starting point for new players.
Diatonic or Chromatic
Diatonic instruments play in a limited number of keys and are well suited to folk traditions — Irish, Cajun, Tex-Mex — where the music stays within a small tonal range. Chromatic instruments cover all 12 semitones and are appropriate for classical, jazz and more harmonically complex music. If your goal is Irish traditional music, a two-row or three-row diatonic B/C or C#/D model is the standard choice. For general-purpose or classical accordion playing, chromatic is the better fit.
Bass Layout and Row Count
The left hand operates a Stradella bass system on most instruments, with alternating bass notes and pre-set chord buttons. The number of bass buttons — 48, 72, 96 or 120 — determines how many keys are available for accompaniment. Beginners often start on a 48-bass accordion, which is lighter and covers the most common keys. Full-size professional instruments use 120 basses and are heavier, requiring more strength and physical stamina over long practice sessions.
Buying an Accordion for the First Time
Beginners should prioritise playability over specification. A lightweight instrument with 48 basses, a full treble keyboard and responsive bellows will serve better than a larger professional model that is difficult to hold and tiring to play. At the entry level, expect to spend £300–600 new. Reputable brands at this price point include Hohner, Weltmeister and Paolo Soprani. Avoid instruments with no brand identification or unclear provenance, as quality control can be poor.
Buying Second-Hand
Used instruments offer better value at every price point. When inspecting a used accordion, check the bellows for cracks, tears or tape repairs — these cause air leakage and inconsistent response. Press every key and button while moving the bellows slowly and listen for notes that do not speak, speak weakly or have a buzzing quality. A few notes requiring a reed replacement is normal and inexpensive to fix; widespread reed failure or extensive bellows damage is not. See our overview article for more on how the instrument works before you buy.
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