Detail of an advert, 1920/30s

The two manuals overlap in tone stock. The pitch increases to the right. The sequence of the rows of keys and their inner tone intervals of a minor third correspond to the B fingering of chromatic button accordion. However, the rows are outwards by one key position to the right compared to the B fingering and the tone b is therefore in row 2.

For further information, please contact "Mr Paul Endesfelder at the festival hall, Stand 4".

Tones only sound when the bellows is pushed down. When the bellows is pulled up and air flows in, no sound is emitted because reeds are only available for one wind direction. However, both bellows are connected via an air channel, so that air can be blown in from the other bellows.

Tones can therefore also be generated while the bellows are being pulled. By skilful use of the bellows, tones can be held endlessly beyond the air supply of a bellows without the alternation of push and pull being noticeable.

Richard Scheller, the inventor on an instrument from the company E.L. Arnold from Carlsfeld in Saxony

Ein gleiches Instrument mit abgewandelten Manualen nannte sich 'Konzertinetta'. Statt des B-Griffes fand an diesem das System von Julius Zademack Verwendung. Hergestellt wurden diese wenigen 'Konzertinettas' von Fritz Micklitz sowie durch die Firma Otto Bergler (1903-81) in Erbendorf in Bayern. Die Firma Bergler war von ca. 1930 bis 1975 im Instrumentenbau tätig. An der Symphonetta ist ersichtlich, dass Bandonionbauer die verschiedensten Produkte herstellten, solange sie Durchschlagzungen enthielten.

The second choir of a Symphonetta can be muted via a mechanical damper (darker wooden frame).

The two felt-covered crosspieces are mechanically pressed against the reeds by turning an external knob, which are then silenced. Only the reeds of the two horizontally soundposts sound.

"Fritz Schultze and William Müller
2 Symphonettas
Musical summit performances"

(1920/30s)

"Company MÜLLER and KABELÁC in Prag.
Harmonium-like music instrument." (Patent 16.8.1892)

A forerunner of the Symphonetta with keyboard.

Richard Scheller points out in the patent specification for his Symphonetta, that the above instrument from Müller und Kabelac served as his inspiration. However, he can arrange more tones on his button manuals with the same size. He also moved the tilting axis of the manuals from the back to the front.

Symphonetta: Philipp Bergheim, Contra guitar: Fritz Schulze.

Rund 20 Symphonettas präsentiert vom 1. Symphonetta-Verein von 1910 aus Hamburg. (ehem. Bandonion-Klub Concento v. 1896)

Whether singing choirs, bandonion and harmonica orchestras, or this symphonetta association, in those days there was a pronounced preference for the big presentation.