The Cairdin "English Box" - a new D/G Melodeon for the English Folk player

The Cairdin English Box was launched at this year’s Melodeons and More and has received excellent reviews from those who’ve tried it out.

Designed by Michael Searson of Cairdin, in partnership with Black Diamond Accordions, specifically for the English market - and with Morris players particularly in mind - this versatile, yet light, three-voice D/G melodeon really cuts through for outdoor playing.

It features:

• 21 treble buttons 
• Fourth button start 
• Low notes and accidentals 
• Stop for thirds in the chords 
• Swing tuning 
• Available in American Walnut (shown) or American Cherry

It took 18 months to develop and refine, but we were delighted to be able to launch Cairdín’s English Box at last, on St Patrick’s Day 2015!

Hand-made with painstaking traditional craftsmanship, to rival Castelfidardo’s finest, with Voci Armoniche reeds, this beautiful instrument is priced at £2,599.*

The Cairdin English book will be available to try on the Black Diamond Accordions stand at music festivals in the UK (see our homepage for a list of forthcoming venues), or by appointment at our offices in West Mersea, Essex.

All enquiries: email us or ring Greg on 07801 308054.

. * Straps and hard case included. Price subject to fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

Black Diamond Accordions' summer festival season

We had a great summer taking Black Diamond and Fisitalia instruments to some of the UK's top folk festivals. Here are some of our favourite moments. You can see lots more photos on our Facebook page .

FREE DELIVERY on Black Diamond Accordions and Melodeons

Special offer for Christmas - FREE delivery on all our instruments within mainland UK until end December 2013. (Ring us for special rates for Highlands, Islands, NI and Republic of Ireland.) 

Chromatic Button Accordion (B-system) - a simple three-chord tune played in various keys

Les Titford demonstrates how to play a simple three-chord tune on his Black Diamond B-system chromatic button accordion:

Chromatic Button Accordion (B-system) - how to play a simple two-chord tune in four keys

Les Titford demonstrates how to play a simple two-chord tune on his Black Diamond B-system Chromatic Button Accordion:

Chromatic Button Accordion (B System): how to play major, minor and diminished chords

Les Titford demonstrates how to play major, minor and diminished chords on his Black Diamond B-system Chromatic Button Accordion:

Black Diamond Accordions and Melodeons - reviews

Here's what people are saying about Black Diamond Accordions and Melodeons

(If you're a happy customer and you'd like to add your own testimonial, we'd be delighted to hear from you!)

"Amazingly prompt service - ordered Wednesday evening and melodeon arrived on the Friday! Emailed Black Diamond Accordions with a question on Saturday and received a full and courteous response that day, almost immediately. Good support. Very highly recommended!" Amazon seller feedback

"I am a complete beginner [but] three experienced melodeon players at my local Morris side gave it a squeeze and were all very impressed by sound, movement and quality in general and declared it a bargain." A recent purchaser

"I spent some time putting one to the test and I must say for the price I was very impressed. The keyboard had a nice feel, the action was light, the Cagnoni reeds were very responsive and the bellows not at all stiff. Generally the box felt like it was well put together." Martyn White

"A very good starter/intermediate box and with the Italian reeds, very sweet. Held its own for speed when we really got going. Nice left hand sounds." melodeon.net

"The Black Diamond melodeons ... seemed very good value indeed ... were nice to play and sounded good as well." melodeon.net

"I have had my Black Diamond D/G melodeon for two months now - and I love it. As a complete beginner I looked around at the 'starter level' melodeons and the Black Diamond stood out in the reviews, so I took the plunge and ordered it. It arrived just two days later and the support I have received has been excellent. My beginner's questions have been answered immediately by email and I have felt very confident that Black Diamond really care about their customers. Great value and excellent service. Recommended!" SP

"There are many companies and shops who could learn a thing or two from Black Diamond's approach to a would-be customer." The Accordionists Forum

"I've got a BDA 60bass b-system chromatic, it's superb value all I've gotta do now is learn how to squeeze it!" James Delarre, Mawkin

"What a *lovely* accordion. Over the moon about it. Such a bargain price, greatly appreciated." MM

“The D/G melodeon is fab – a great instrument at a good price.” Ray Langton, via Twitter

"Just a note to say how pleased I am with the 72 bass. Having

had to sell a Vignoni last year, this is a surprisingly good alternative
to gig with. 24hr delivery & best value available for the price. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED." Nigel Rivers

"For feel and sound quality, not to mention price, I think BD would be hard to beat. You didn't ask for this endorsement, but I am happy to give it: these instruments of yours would suit the experienced player and equally the novice who wanted to get going with a quality box for a fair price, one which would take him/her right through the learning process to gig work, open mic etc - no need to buy something dodgy to get started on and then upgrade. Good luck to your enterprise." Tim Pridgeon, Plump Hill Ceilidh Band

"Playing my new Black Diamond accordion for the very first time! Love it!. Happy customer!"

"I played this [D/G] box for a full two weeks before the RTIR, it's a real gem, I didn't really wanna give it back. A great little box, very light, very quick and a beautiful italian sound.” James Delarre, Mawkin, via Twitter

Black Diamond B-system Button Accordion - a complete beginners' guide

Black Diamond Accordions - summer folk festivals 2013

Black Diamond Accordions will be at these folk festivals over the summer:

Warwick Folk Festival - 25-28 July

Sidmouth Folk Week - 2-9 August

Whitby Folk Week - 17-23 August

Lyme Folk Weekend - 30 August - 1 September



Do come and say hello!

Accordion weights for Black Diamond Accordions

We're often asked how much our different instruments weigh.  We've now listed them all on our website, on each instrument's own page.

But, for comparison purposes, here are the weights of our accordions and melodeons.

	Weight (incl straps) kg	Weight in carrying case kg
Cassotto	12.35	18.4
120 bass	11.4	17.6
96 bass	9.3	13.35
72 bass	7.75	10.85
48 bass	5.95	8.45
Button accordions (B and C-sys)	6.7	9.65
Melodeons (DG and BC)	3.3 (without straps)	3.9 (incl straps and soft bag)

Black Diamond B-system Button Accordion - Video review by Les Titford

You can see more of Les's instrument reviews, including Melodeon Blog here.

Black Diamond Accordions now available at Atticus Accordions, Lancaster

Black Diamond Accordions and Melodeons at Atticus Accordions, Lancaster

We're delighted to announce that Atticus Accordions, Lancaster now stocks a range of our accordions and our D/G melodeon.

Atticus is at 26 King Street, Lancaster LA1 1JY and is open 10 am until 6 pm, Tuesday to Saturday.

Telephone: 01524 34641  Email: info @ atticusaccordions.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AtticusAccordions  Twitter: @atticusaccs

Here is the shop's proprietor, Kit Flemons, trying out our 72 bass after taking delivery of the new Black Diamond stock this morning:

Buy our 72 Bass Piano Accordion . . .

. . . via our website: www.blackdiamondaccordions.com

Or, if you'd like to compare with others on the market, check out Amazon or eBay .

Black Diamond Accordions bring you . . . Maritime Accordions

Continuing our series of themed accordion photos, here is a rather diverse collection of fish/boaty/aquatic accordions:

If you'd like to add to this album, please post your pic on our Facebook page, or email it to us.

Black Diamond Accordions bring you . . . Accordion Buses and Other Vehicles

We've been collecting interesting accordion-related photos for a couple of years, and we'll be publishing our findings here over the next few weeks. If you'd like to share any photos you've found or taken, please post them on our Facebook page, or email them to us.

Black Diamond Accordions bring you . . . Gorillas with Accordions!

Following the viral success on Facebook of our "Frogs with Accordions" collection (see previous post), we are pleased to bring you the results of a subsequent trawl of the internet:  Gorillas with Accordions:

It's Official - Black Diamond Accordions are "Objects of Desire" ...

There's a nice plug for Black Diamond Accordions in the May 2013 issue of Classic Boat magazine. A 72-bass BDA is one of this month's 'Objects of Desire' - the editor's selection of the best must-have items for boating people.

As you can see, there's also a little mention for our chum Gavin Atkin, whose excellent boating interest blog you can find here and whose melodeon playing is showcased here.