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Catalog > Winds > Squeezeboxes > Button Accordions updated February 21, 2008

Chromatic Button Accordions

  • Hohner

    • Also called Continental Button Accordion (CBA), it has from 3 to 5 rows of buttons on the right hand. There are two treble keyboard systems, B griff and C griff. The C system is more common in Western Europe and the U.S. Very popular in Europe, it was THE accordion for French Musette music. Widely played in Sweden, in preference to any other kind of squeezebox. B-griff is more prevalent in Norway, Germany, Austria, and further to the East. A variant, the Bayan, based on a B-system keyboard, is a favorite in Russia. CBA's are rare in the New World but there is a resurgence of interest in them in the U.S., as more people discover this versatile instrument.

    The CBA plays the same note on one button in either bellows direction. On modern instruments, the basses can be either Stradella (standard piano accordion style circle-of-fifths basses with chords), or one of the following free bass systems:

    • Bassetti - basically a mirror of the treble keyboard, in 2 possible arrangements:
    • Regular: low notes closer to the player's chin, or
    • Bayan style: low notes closer to the ground)
    • Stradella free basses based on the circle-of-fifths layout, also called "quint"), or
    • both Stradella and either Bassetti or quint free bass, with a converter switch.

    When you see a CBA listed in a catalog, unless it specifies a free bass left hand system, the basses are most likely Stradella.

    Link to external site with more technical information about Chromatic Accordions.

    There are too many options, sizes, and features for us to carry these accordions as part of our regular stock . These are all special order items, and we will order the instrument customized to your preferences. If we have any used instruments in stock, they'll be on our Used Squeezeboxes page.

    Hohner Nova II 48 in white Hohner Nova Chromatic Accordions

    All Nova models are available standard in C griff, and by special order in B griff (expect delays). Case and straps included.

    We are not permitted to advertise lower than list prices. Please click on the "quote" button or contact us for our competitive prices.
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    NOVA II 48

    Great for beginners of all ages, the petite Nova II 48 bass accordion features 2/4 reeds, 2/0 registers, tremolo tuning, 31 tones on 3 rows of 31 buttons, 48 Stradella basses. Weight 11 lbs. Comes with a gig bag and straps. Available in black, red pearl, blue pearl and white pearl (shown in white).
    Retail price: $1395
    Select color: Keyboard:
    NOVA II 72

    2/4 reeds with tremolo tuning, 2/2 registers, 38 tones on 5 rows of 62 buttons, 72 Stradella basses. Weight 15.2 lbs. Available in black, red pearl, blue pearl.
    Retail price: $1895
    Select color: Keyboard:
    NOVA III 96

    3/4 reeds, Continental tremolo tuning, 5/3 registers, 44 tones on 5 rows of 72 buttons, 96 Stradella basses. C system range Eb to Bb. B system range E to B. Weight 16.75 lbs. Available in black or red pearl.
    Retail price: $2095
    Select color: Keyboard:

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