19+4 (picolletta) and 21+4 (piccola) layouts, there were a couple of other variations on this like the swiss style HUG. This is a lovely sounding box, these came in 19+2. Originally with a wooden keyboard but more commonly with an improved steel mechanism keyboard. The earliest of the modern Hohner club accordions. the pictures show a Hohner produced Koch and the original Koch Ouverture which lent its name to the later Hohner offering, the preciosa name was originally a tiny Koch 2 row

the modell 1 Club accordion is a direct descendant of this box which went on to become the pokerwork and erica that we know today. Originally a Koch design, Hohner bought the Koch company and the combination of the Koch two row with the Hohner two row of the time produced one of the most enduring designs which is still made in China today. This was not one of the club accordions but deserves a mention as this is where the Modell 1 came from. Club Accordion Models The 2815 or 1600 or 2915 or Weiner or pokerwork or whatever. These may have fallen out of favour with some but some of them are of a quality that rivals anything produced today. The Ouverture is a very refined four or five voice machine with the depth of sound normally found in a high end piano accordion. In the hands of a good musician playing the music it was built for there is nothing like it. In contrast the Modell X is an out and out Club machine with a sound all of its own. The modell 1 and Erika are more akin to a high quality 2 1/2 row and as such make great conversions.

Whilst all Clubs they all have their own strengths and quirks. Instrumental in the establishment of the club craze they produced some fantastic boxes through the mid twentieth century. Hohner did not invent the Club layout and other makers produced Clubs as far back as the early 20s but Hohner ran with the concept and produced tens of thousands of accordions in this format. The club system is cevered on our Club page here. From the humble Erika with it’s beautiful tone through to the Ouvertures and Model X which are of top quality to rival any modern box. I have come across many Hohner club accordions over the years and have come to appreciate the quality of them.

Hohner club noten