Saltarelle Elfique Melodeon Review – A Compact 3-Voice with Serious Power

The Compact 3-Voice Melodeon Most Players Don’t Fully Understand

The Saltarelle Elfique melodeon is one of those instruments that often gets overlooked — not because it lacks quality, but because it doesn’t fit neatly into the usual categories players are familiar with.

At first glance, it appears to sit somewhere between a standard two-row melodeon and a larger three-voice instrument. In reality, it offers something quite different: full 3-voice sound in a remarkably compact and lightweight body.

For players who understand what it offers, it can be one of the most flexible and rewarding instruments available.

You can also explore our full range of melodeons here to compare different options.

You can view the full product details here:
Saltarelle Elfique Melodeon

What Makes the Elfique Different?

The key to understanding the Elfique is this:

It delivers the tonal depth of a three-voice melodeon without the size and weight normally associated with that level of sound.

At approximately 3.5kg, it is lighter than many comparable instruments — even some two-voice boxes — yet it produces a full, powerful, and expressive sound.

This alone places it in a very unusual and valuable position in the market.

A Truly Compact Design

The Elfique is physically smaller than many standard two-row melodeons. This is achieved through a clever design decision: the accidental buttons are relocated to a short inner row rather than sitting above the keyboard near the player’s chin.

This makes the instrument more compact, more comfortable, and more efficient in use — particularly for players who value control and portability.

It is a genuinely thoughtful piece of design, not just a cosmetic variation.

Sound: Small Box, Big Presence

Despite its size, the Elfique produces a sound that can best be described as:

• Full and rounded
• Powerful and projecting
• Flexible across styles

The LMM (3-voice) configuration gives access to a richer tonal palette than a standard two-voice melodeon, while the low voice stop allows the player to reduce the sound back to a lighter configuration when required.

This makes it equally capable of:

• Driving a session
• Supporting Morris dance
• Playing with more subtlety in smaller settings

In short, it can adapt — which is where its real value lies.

Playability and Feel

The Elfique has a very direct and responsive feel under the fingers. The compact layout brings everything closer together, which many players find improves control and reduces effort over longer playing sessions.

At just 3.55kg, it also removes one of the biggest barriers associated with three-voice instruments: weight.

This is not a “heavy commitment” box — it is one you will actually take out, play regularly, and enjoy using.

How It Compares to Other Options

Many players looking at the Elfique are also considering instruments such as the Saltarelle Aether III or the Castagnari Tommy.

Those are excellent instruments — but they are different.

The Elfique stands apart in one key respect:

It offers 3-voice depth in a smaller, lighter, more compact format than most alternatives.

Where larger instruments prioritise maximum presence and tradition, the Elfique prioritises efficiency, flexibility, and real-world usability.

For many players, that is exactly what matters.

If you are exploring compact three-voice instruments more broadly, you can also browse our melodeon buying guides for further comparisons and advice.

Who Should Consider the Elfique?

This is not a beginner’s first instrument.

It is best suited to players who already understand what they are looking for and want something more refined and capable.

It is particularly well suited to:

• Players upgrading from a 2-voice melodeon
• Session players wanting more tonal depth without extra weight
• Morris musicians needing projection and control
• Experienced players looking for a compact, high-performance instrument

If you're still choosing your first instrument, you may find our Beginner’s Guide to Choosing Your First Melodeon helpful.

The Real Strength of the Elfique

The Elfique is not about extremes.

It is about balance:

• Size vs sound
• Weight vs capability
• Power vs control

It is an instrument designed for players who want serious musical capability without compromise in usability.

Final Thoughts

The Saltarelle Elfique melodeon is one of the most intelligently designed instruments in its category.

It offers something genuinely different: a compact, lightweight 3-voice melodeon with real musical presence.

For the right player, it is not just an alternative — it may be the ideal solution.

Explore it here:
View the Saltarelle Elfique