Thousands of these instruments were manufactured by the Arnold company in Carlsfeld in the Ore Mountains and exported worldwide.
Ernst Louis Arnold, who had learnt harmonica making from Zimmermann, took over the company as factory manager when Zimmermann emigrated to Philadelphia in 1864. Ernst Louis Arnold continued to develop and expand the factory under the name ELA. It was later continued by his elder son.
His youngest son, Alfred, founded another factory called Alfred Arnold opposite his father’s factory in 1911.
In the 1930s, this company produced around 600 instruments a month, 85% of which were exported to South America.
World-famous soloists such as Astor Piazzolla played the “AA” bandoneon, the “soul” of the tango.
Although production was discontinued in Carlsfeld in 1964 due to a lack of demand and a shortage of materials, the instruments bearing the “AA”- label still enjoy a legendary reputation among bandoneon players for their unique sound and quality.