Fussell Accordion Band

Hello Scott, I don't know how many they built but I think Clive Bedford of Sutton Bridge (near Kings Lynn) still has one. I also remember Pete watts had one oif his own. I also saw one with a xylophone on it at GDSF about 15 years ago. I don't know whether David Vipan ever owned one but he was the sales drive behind the project. I'll ask Fred & Richard next time I see them. Rob.

Hi Rob, Thanks for that, dont suppose you know anything about them... was looking through my scap book and found a cutting about them.... look very interesting things... look like they could be great fun

Hello Scott, Yes I had some info from David Vipan but I have lost it. I think they were 42 keyless book playing instruments with an accordeon on top of a box which contained all the action/blower etc. In front there was a very basic drum kit. A very cut down sort of dance organ. The problem was the scale was so tiny it only gave the instrument a very limited range (5 bass I think), plus the fact that there was no other support or sound variation. Still a fun novelty instrument though. Rob.

I think they were 42 keyless book playing instruments with an accordeon on top of a box which contained all the action/blower etc. In front there was a very basic drum kit. A very cut down sort of dance organ. The problem was the scale was so tiny it only gave the instrument a very limited range (5 bass I think), plus the fact that there was no other support or sound variation. Still a fun novelty instrument though. Rob. That's about the size of it Rob. I am aware of two - the other was based at Cranmore in Somerset and I think was called 'Wheezyanna', but I can't remember for the life of me the owners name! The scale was recycled by the Fussell Brothers in their 36 keyless hand turned organs (plus possibly one built by Robert Harris) and the Leach and Overington (and one McCarthy) 42 keyless organs. These used a changeover key to make 4 accompaniment notes (B, C#, D and E off the top of my head) basses, giving in effect, 9 basses. They also had 5 registers plus bass drum, cymbal, and two snare drum holes that were changed over to woodblocks by another key, so were touted as producing the 54 keyless organ sound in an economy-sized case. I do have a 42 keyless scale book somewhere from when I did some patterns for Cliff Seamark's McCarthy. If it surfaces, I'll post the scale details. Jeremy.

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