The current stage of development of the Atzarin bandonion

Current situation - Stage 3 (Final Stage)

The stage 2 prototype for the Atzarin bandonion, including the case, bellows, action and button arrangement, was ready near the end of February 2010. After some testing it became clear that further improvements could be made in three areas, namely the button arcs, the shape and position of the hand rail and the start note of the layout of notes. With these improvements no further changes are deemed neccessary.

The button spacing, size and stepping were all improved particularly with a view to making it easier to use the thumb in playing technique on the first and second rows. A new design for the hand rail was also proposed in order to increase playing comfort and hold on the instrument and the whole layout of notes was transposed down by a semitone.

These improvements are currently being incorporated in the prototype and involve modifying the action slightly and cutting out the button arc section on the ends of the instruments to replace them with inserts that are correctly drilled for the new button size and spacing. Needless to say, the inserts will not be used on instruments sold to the public as the holes will be drilled directly into the ends of the case. This should be born in mind when photos of the prototype become available.

Photos and introductory videos will only be published when the definitive prototype has been completed. There is no exact date for completion, but it should be before Nov 2010. Please check this page on a monthly basis!

Last update - 22nd August 2010.