The second stage of development of the Atzarin bandonion

In order to provide a solution to the problems found in stage 1 of development, a new bandonion design was proposed specifically for an Atzarin layout of notes.

The idea was to use good quality reeds and traditional bandoneon style long zinc reed plates on quality reed blocks in combination with a specially designed, quality built, new action for the new button arrangement. However, in an effort to keep costs down, the case and bellows were to be parts made in China. The bellows itself is a single section of 14 free folds, since a traditional bandoneon stlye 3 section bellows is more expensive to produce. The idea was to bring out a basic model and allow customers to choose alternative bellows and additional features, if so desired, at an extra cost.

The buttons were repositioned on the ends of the instrument, as on a traditional bandoneon, and arranged in ergonomic curves, rather than in straight rows, with a much more compact spacing along and between rows. This stage 2 prototype had a flat, straight hand rail and strap set-up as found on the Geuns hybrid bandonions and used traditional bandoneon type buttons 10.5mm in diametre, a neccessary consequence of the more compact spacing.

The new and most salient feature of the design was the curved, sloping button arcs of compactly spaced, traditional bandoneon type buttons. However, whilst the spacing along rows was fine, the spacing between rows did not allow the most comfortable use of the thumb. The extremely compact arrangement, coupled with the minimal increase in button height from row to row meant that precise playing technique without catching the edges of buttons on neighbouring rows was rather difficult.

Testing also verified that a straight hand rail was not satisfactory in combination with curved row as it did not support the hand properly in the central area of the keyboard or button arc nor did it allow comfortable positioning of the thumb at the low end of the rows.

Although the extended range of the new bandonion design had "c1" on both the draw and the push, "a" was only available on the push. This was found to be a hinderance to smooth bellows operation when playing in the mid range.