[Jerry Ballard]

I have it on good authority that Ballone Burini has or is about to file for bankruptcy, and (hopefully) to re-open under Andrea Ballone Burini (current manager of sales.)
Future of Vibrandoneon is uncertain, and probably low priority for them.

New, cryptic web site at http://www.bbaccordions.com/

Simply says
“Thinking of the past,
Looking to the future”

[Melodica-Me]

Jerry, hopefully they will return, but like you say the future of the Vibrandoneon will probably not be on the top of their list. If the Vibrandoneon will no longer be available, I can only assume that the price of the existing Victoria Vibrandoneon and the Ballone Burini “Eolina” will increase in value substantially making them even more rare and expensive. I wonder if any of the major companies such as “Suzuki” “Yamaha” or even “Hohner” is interested in a truly professional Melodica of this caliber.
Melodica-Me

[Jerry Ballard]

What makes the Vibrandoneon special is that it is essentially a high quality accordion. I don’t see where a plastics company like yamaha et al can step into that quality niche.
I’d die to to get Guido Tonini’s hit on all of this.
But for now my focus turns to
1) security (cable system and lock integrated into the case
2) protecting my instrument from lung moisture
3) identifying resources for maintenance (reed replacement, tuning etc.)

[Melodica-Me]

In November 2014 Guido posted a Picture of him with the new Vibrandoneon (Plastic Version) by Ballone Burini so I sent him a message via Facebook and he responded with the following:

Message
Guido, I love my Vibrandoneon, thank you
Can you tell me When will the new Vibrandoneon be ready for sale, I must own one.
Your friend in America
Oscar Verdugo
Monsters of Melodica

response
Grande Oscar …. Buona musica … Spero tra poco di saperti dire del nuovo Vibrandoneon costruito da Ballone Burini .. Ciao a presto

Translated
Big Oscar …. Good music … I hope to know soon about the new Vibrandoneon built by Ballone Burini .. Ciao

I tried several times to contact him Via Facebook but no response as of yet. I shot him another Message just a short while ago to see if he will respond with any news.

Melodica-Me

[Melodica-Me]

Si I received a response from Guitdo regarding the Vibrandoneon:

Translated
Guido Tononi
Hello Oscar … In September, I have an appointment with Victoria Accordions to redo them with the Vibrandoneon …. Hopefully … I’ll let you know … Caio

So hopefully the Vibrandoneon will return to Victoria.
Melodica-Me

[Jerry Ballard]

That’s terrific news Oscar!
Time to get our wish list in order.

1) better disassembly mechanism. Ideally a quick-release for the air chamber to allow easier disassembly. If not quick releases, then at least metal threaded inserts in the screw holes.
2) sealing of the wood on the internal chamber to prevent absorbtion of moisture
3) I hope they do not implement the 2-way blow/draw of the Eolina, but stick with with one-way, octave reeds. (I prefer the versatility of sound over the dubious value of endless breath.
4) a more reed-instrument type mouthpiece instead of just the raw pipe.
5) the question-mark shaped tube with built-in spit valve. http://s355.photobucket.com/user/BigPwr/media/New%20Vibrandoneon%20BB%20Black%20Plastic/AllBlackVibrandoneonBB.jpeg.html

In all honesty, that’s my entire wish list. The existing Victoria is close to perfect IMO, and is still a jaw-dropper on stage.
Fingers crossed.

[Jerry Ballard]

That said, if all they did was pull out their old templates and just start building as-is, I’d still be thrilled.

[Melodica-Me]

The original Victoria Vibrandoneon was Guidos creation the one that Ballone Burini was to release was the revamped Eolina with the Vibrandoneon name. I do like the Eolina for the blow suck feature and construction but really love the sound of the Vibrandoneon. I would think that they would return to their version.
Melodica-Me

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