Murray Grainger is proud to use the following instruments:
‘Bertha’
Bertha is a custom built accordion from Pigini in Italy. Based around the Convertor P37 this is a 4 voice double cassotto piano accordion with a 120 convertor bass left hand.
There are a lot of customisations, both cosmetic and internal. As you can see from the photo she features an all black keyboard, combining marble effect and plain keys. The grill is the same as you find on the legendary Pigini Nova, there is a very significant reason for this!
The reeds in this accordion are the finest on the market, they are the same reeds are in the Pigini Nova and are the most responsive and resonant reeds in the world today. The right hand has 3 reeds at pitch, one in cassotto, one non cassotto and the third reed has brass reed plates. This means that there are 3 reeds with different tones, from mellow through to hard and aggressive. They are all tuned exactly the same, in dry tuning. Combined with an octave reed in cassotto there are a huge selection of tone colours available.
The left hand is a 4 voice 120 bass with a C system convertor free bass keyboard. The Stradella system has been altered to Murray’s custom system, where the dominant 7th row is replaced with open 5ths.
Bertha is fitted with Harmonik AC5001-RG microphones.
‘Sir Humphrey’
Sir Humphrey is a part of accordion history, one of the very earliest examples of the Pigini Super Bayan Sirius, number 79 to be precise.
The Super Bayan Sirius has been the pinnacle of classical accordion manufacturing for years, providing both an exceptional range and an incomparable sound and control. The reeds are top class hand made, in a 4 voice double cassotto completely dry tuned. The left hand is a full 120 bass convertor with a C system freebass.
The right hand keyboard is built in an ergonomic shape, meaning that the right hand is further forward than usual, allowing you to stay more relaxed and perform freely.
‘Herbert’
Another custom built accordion from Pigini, this time based on the Preludio P36/3.
With hand made reeds, Herbert has a 3 voice right hand, all at the same pitch. 2 reeds are tuned exactly the same, ‘Dry’ tuning, the third reed is around 4 cents sharp so you can choose between a slight tremolo or dry tuning. The grill is a wide open style, similar to a Super Bayan, meaning that all the sound is released, bright and crisp.
The left hand is a 96 bass featuring Murray’s custom layout where the dominant 7th chords are replaced by open 5ths. With 5 registers this allows for a more flexible and balanced instrument.
The bellows are red, as opposed to the more standard black. This is due to Murray wearing out the original bellows and when visiting the Pigini factory whilst on tour, the only replacements they had immediately available were red! However Herbert rather enjoys his splendid new look!
Herbert is fitted with Harmonik AC5001-FX microphones.
‘Billy Bob’
After an unfortunate incident when RyanAir broke Herbert on a tour to Sweden Murray decided he needed a small instrument that would fit within the hand luggage regulations, but without compromising on quality. The result is this collaboration with the Italian manufacturer Ballone Burini.
Billy Bob is a 2 voice accordion with a 27 note right hand, however unusually these start at a bottom G going to a top A. The reeds are top quality hand made tuned dry, very bright crisp and fast. The left hand is a 60 bass, again in a custom layout from E flat to F sharp, complete with Murray’s custom system of open 5ths to replace the dominant 7ths.
Billy Bob is fitted with Harmonik AC5001-HQ.
‘Arnold’
Arnold is a very special bandoneon from the renowned maker Alfred Arnold.
Built in the 1920s this bandoneon is a Peguri system, meaning that it is a C system layout on both hands.
The zinc reeds, tuned in octaves, gives you the iconic bandoneon tone and is a sound that cannot be achieved in any other way.
Fully restored, Arnold is as good as new, despite being around 100 years old!
Arnold is fitted with Harmonik Arnold microphones.
‘Accordina’
The accordina is a French wind and free reed instrument invented and originally built in Paris by A.Borel around 1950-1960.
It combines the sound of chromatic harmonica with the logical and comfortable keyboard of button accordion.
The instrument had little success among musicians when it was made, the accordion being more suitable for the music played at that time. Nowadays however musicians, especially jazz accordion players appreciate it more and more for the great expressive possibilities.
This wonderful modern example is made in France by master maker Joseph Carrel. It features a C system mouth blown system, sounding a single reed only when you blow!
It allows Murray to add the expression and musicality that breath control to his accordion playing.
Fitted with the DPA 4099 microphone.
‘Vibrandoneon’
The Vibrandoneon is like the accordina in that it is a mouth blown accordion, with a C system chromatic keyboard. Unlike the accordina it is a 2 voice instrument, giving a richer and fuller sound, although it needs more puff as a result.
It is an extreemly rare instrument, no longer manufactured, but it brings a wonderfully different tone to Murray’s playing.
It is fitted with a DPA 4099 microphone.