THE “DOUBLE TONE CHAMBER ACCORDION” IS BY FAR THE MOST POPULAR TYPE OF ACCORDION.
What was the theory behind the double tone chamber accordion?
The inventor “Candido Iorio” explained it in this manner: I was looking to obtain a sound of a wooden instrument and eliminate the metallic sound of the standard accordion. The Stradivarius violin design always intrigued me. How can I incorporate this sound box design incorporated into the accordion? The final result was the use of the “ two valve treble system”.
One valve would be positioned similar to the type used on the standard accordions, the second valve (attached to the same treble key) would be positioned over the ‘NEWLY CREATED TONE CHAMBER’ IN THE TREBLE SECTION, thereby creating the desired wooden sound (See Fig 1).
The first double tone chamber was manufactured in 1908, but was never patented until 1929.
One of the SPECIALLY DESIGNED DOUBLE TONE CHAMBER ACCORDIONS (See Fig 2) WAS MANUFACTURED IN 1931. The purpose of the angle of the keyboard design was so that the accordionist would be playing with his wrist straight ( similar to a pianist). Only 12 of these models have been manufactured ( one was used at that time by PHIL BAKER).
Fig 1 - Patented Double Tone Chamber
Fig 2 - Double Tone Chamber Accordion - 1931
Specially designed Iorio double tone chamber for Mario Mosti (circa 1930).
Iorio double tone chamber accordion (1934).
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