[Alan Brinton]

Makes sense. I do want to point out a couple of differences between the A-25 and the A-27, though. I’m just taking the A-27 apart. The A-27 has an unusually crude venting mechanism, a button that vents moisture out of the reed chamber and into the main cabin of the melodion. The A-25, on the other hand, has the far superior lever mechanism that is now found in the Hammonds and the metal tray Suzukis. The reed chamber cover of the A-25 is plastic, while the reed chamber of the A-27 is metal, which is discolored at the blow end on mine and a bit corroded, as is also true of the inside of that end of the metal tray. The A-27 also has a metal plate under the keyboard. So the A-27 has a poor moisture management system. (My A-27 mouthpiece end is cracked, though, which may have aggravated the situation.)

Surprisingly, the reeds on this A-27 are almost pristine with virtually no discoloring. Maybe the original owner just filled it up with moisture and then never played it again.

I haven’t see any Claviettas for sale lately.