A Simple Reversible Trick to Play More Chords on a 12 Bass Accordion - Tutorial for Removing Thirds 

Thanks! It's interesting to know that I'm not the only one to take the thirds out of piano accordions. If I'd had more time I would have compiled a list of all the chords you can get, but I was in a bit of a hurry! I'm really surprised that there aren't more players who take the thirds out, outside the folk community. It just seems to make so much sense to do it???

Methinks most folks view the 12 bass as a child's instrument. Many are told that they "need" at least a 48 bass. Ha! I can play 80 songs on my modified 12 bass accordions. 😂

It's ridiculous really! I made this video in response to a beginner on the accordionists forum asking what chords they can play on a 12 bass and whether there are any you can play by 'faking' minors; I explained that as standard a 12 bass accordion can play exactly 6 major chords and nothing else (although I guess you can do dominant 7ths by adding the 7th as a bass note), and that a good idea would be to tape off the thirds. They were interested and asked if I could make a demonstration video, so I did. A few other members were interested in what I'd done, but there were also people who were like (partially paraphrased) "NO stop doing stupid party tricks with a 12 bass and treat it like what it is - a beginner's instrument. If you want more chords, move up to a 48 bass." Personally I think that's ridiculous. Not just because it's very exclusionary - not everyone can afford a 48 bass; there's a big difference in price between a 12 bass and a 48 - but also because a 12 bass has the same bass range as an 8 bass melodeon, and they are definitely professional instruments. If John Spiers can make a living playing a box with 21 buttons on one side and 8 on the other, then there's nothing stopping you doing the same with a 25/12 piano accordion! Rant over haha

Oooh I've heard of the Franglo. It seemed like an interesting concept but I didn't read enough about it for the idea to stick in my head haha