Castagnari Marie Nicole III vs Dino Baffetti Alpha III

We recently had a Castagnari Marie Nicole III and a Dino Baffetti Alpha III here together, so we took the opportunity to compare them. Both were D/G, with an Anahata layout, three treble voices and the same stop arrangement.

What interested us was how close they were in playing terms. Using new prices of £3,295 for the Marie Nicole and £2,599 for the Alpha III, there was a £696 difference. We wanted to see what you would notice for that extra money.

This comparison is based on the two instruments we had here. Their tuning, weight and playing feel may differ from other examples of the same models.

Castagnari Marie Nicole III vs Dino Baffetti Alpha III

The main specifications

Feature	Castagnari Marie Nicole III	Dino Baffetti Alpha III
Key and layout compared	D/G, Anahata	D/G, Anahata
Treble	21 buttons, three voices	21 buttons, three voices
Bass buttons	8	8
Treble stop	Removes the low reed	Removes the low reed
Bass stop	Removes the thirds	Removes the thirds
Weight measured by us	3.84 kg	4.10 kg
Action	Wooden	Metal
New price used for comparison	£3,295	£2,599

On both instruments, the treble stop lets you switch from the full three-voice sound to two voices. The bass stop takes the thirds out of the chords, which is useful when those notes clash with the tune you are playing.

Sound and response

The Marie Nicole had a lovely, controlled sound, with slightly drier tuning than the Alpha III. Our approximate tremolo figures were 3–4 cents for the Castagnari and 4–5 cents for the Baffetti. Those figures describe the examples we compared, rather than a fixed specification across either model.

The Alpha had a little more movement in its sound and plenty of projection. We liked how readily it spoke, including at low bellows pressure. It has Tipo a Mano reeds, and we could play it quietly and still get a good response, with plenty of power when we wanted it.

If your experience of Baffetti is mainly of older, loud boxes played outdoors, the Alpha III is worth another look. We found it responsive and easy to control. The bass was well matched to the treble too, giving solid accompaniment without overwhelming the melody.

We enjoyed playing both. The Castagnari’s slightly drier sound will appeal to some players; others will prefer the extra movement and response we found in the Alpha.

Action and weight

Side by side, we found the Alpha III’s action slightly lighter and faster. The Castagnari was smooth and comfortable, but the Baffetti felt particularly easy under the fingers. That was one of the clearest differences for us.

The Alpha uses a metal action and the Marie Nicole a wooden one. Both worked well in the instruments we tested. Try both actions and see which feels comfortable under your fingers.

We also weighed both boxes: the Castagnari came in at 3.84 kg and the Baffetti at 4.10 kg. That makes the Marie Nicole 260 grams lighter. Whether you notice that difference over a long playing session is something to check for yourself.

Finish and price

The Marie Nicole is beautifully finished. Its grille and decorative details are lovely to look at, and if you enjoy that style of instrument, they will be part of its appeal.

The Alpha III is plainer, although we think the walnut looks very handsome. What impressed us most was its playing response: the light action, the way the reeds spoke and the balance between the two ends.

At the new prices used here, the Alpha III costs £696 less. That is a worthwhile saving, especially when the two instruments offer such similar layouts and stop options.

What would we choose?

We were impressed with the Alpha III. Its action and response stood out, and at £2,599 we think it offers very good value for a professional three-voice melodeon.

The Marie Nicole has its own appeal. If its sound and feel suit you better, that may be enough reason to choose it. But we would encourage anyone considering a box at this level to try the Alpha III as well.

Give us a call if you would like to try one, and we can check what is here and arrange a time. Bring a familiar tune and take your time with it. You will learn far more from that than from the name on the front.

See the Dino Baffetti Alpha III D/G melodeon.

For more on the range and reed options, read our Dino Baffetti melodeon buyer’s guide.