In 1984, Franz Schmidt Senior, a master accordion maker who gained his long experience in the traditional workshop of Steirische Harmonikas, founded his own family business, a manufacturer of the typical accordions which are so important in alpine folk music. Today Schmidt Harmonika is run by the founder’s son, Franz Schmidt Junior, who took over the business in 2007. Since then, he has been developing not just traditional instruments but also innovative techniques and designs.

A key aspect of the company is its close collaboration with the best accordion players, enabling the artisans to respond to the most challenging requests from customers and to constantly improve the quality of the products. The accordions are handmade and tailored to clients’ preferences in terms of materials, colours, patterns, buttons and timbre. The body of the instrument is made of solid, noble wood – light and powerful in terms of sonority – while all mechanics must work smoothly, ensuring excellent tuning and precise treble and bass mechanics.