Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Begali Graciella Vertical Paddle

Category: Keys & Paddles

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Begali Graciella Vertical Paddle
Reviews: 42MSRP: 490 + $12 s/h
Description:
A dual-lever paddle with a vertical architecture to minimize moving masses. Gold and palladium plated components, sealed precision bearings, repelling magnets, gold contacts, micro-threaded adjustments of height, paddle spacing, contact gap, and return force.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.i2rtf.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00424.9
K4IA Rating: 2021-03-10
Another masterpiece Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Begali recently offered a limited number of Graciellas and I jumped on it. One week from order to my front porch in Virginia. Absolutely beautiful with a black base, gold upright, and red paddles. It plays with smooth precision.
Any Begali is a work of art. This is one of the best.
N4GG Rating: 2019-04-24
Perfection Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I've been sending CW for 58 years and have owned just about every paddle made. This is the best by far. I have it on the table next to a Begali Sculpture and that was my all-time favorite paddle until this one came my way. It is infinitely adjustable and the torances of the parts, and their design, and their finish is perfect. Meanwhile Peiro and Bruna are wonderful people. Always easy to work with and very accommodating of special requests. Begali keys are in a class of their own....nothing else comes close.
W4ZYT Rating: 2014-12-30
Great Company to work with! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The esthetics, beauty, engineering, and precision workmanship of the Begali Graciela have been well-documented here, but I wanted to address my experience with the company itself, as it speaks volumes about the quality of people they are as well as the quality of the keyer paddles they produce.
I purchased Begali Graciela # 77, and some months after my purchase began to have trouble with the right paddle performing intermittently. I disassembled the paddle as much as I dared and fond no obvious problem and also replaced the 1/8” key jack in the base, but the problem persisted. I contacted the Begali company by e-mail, dealing initially with Bruna and then with Piero and with Ulrich Steinberg, another member of his engineering staff. They made several suggestions for me to try and then advised me – when the problem persisted – to send the key to Jeff Hecht K8GD in Ohio who handles repair issues for Begali in the States.
Jeff went through the key, replaced several parts, and sent it back. I was working out of town temporarily, so didn’t get to put the paddle through its paces for several weeks. Unfortunately, the problem persisted. I was advised by Bruna to send the paddle back to Jeff, and ultimately it found its way back to Italy, where I suspect the Begali team completely rebuilt it. In the course of their investigation they found a faulty tiny spring – a very subtle finding - which was the source of the problem. The paddle was shipped back to me and has worked flawlessly since. Except for some modest postage, there was no cost to me.
This is the only instance I have heard of where there has been a problem with any Begali paddle or key, and it is clear from the response I received from Bruna, Jeff, Piero, and the Begali team in both Italy and the States, that the company is fiercely committed to customer service and satisfaction. They clearly went to the wall with correcting the problem with my paddle to assure that it would function properly to my requirements. It was clearly a matter of pride to stay with it until the problems were fully resolved. When you are dealing with the Begali Company, you can be assured you are dealing with a top-of-the-line operation.



K3ROJ Rating: 2012-07-21
Just right Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have been using this key for over a year and now wonder why I used other keys such as Vibroplex etc. This key is heavy enough to remain on the table without walking away and the adjustable vertical section is fantastic. After working a few CW contests, my sending speed now averages perhaps 35 WPM or more if needed. Once you use this key, you will never go back.

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by K3ROJ on 2008-01-17

Had a chance to try the Begali Graciella at Field Day in 2007 and was getting around to ordering one but found one on E-Bay. Got it for $430 with the wide palladium bottom. The owner didn't have his call engraved. I started using it with my ICOM 576PRO and right away knew it would be my permanent key from now on. I found that the internal keyers in most transceivers which share the same processor as the radios functions aren't suitable for what the Begali can do. I ordered the LogiKey K-5 memory keyer which can emulate any keyer on the market and adjusted the weight the way I like it. I enjoy getting into CW contests and am easily able to operate at 35 WPM which is required in most contests. Once you use this key enough, your brain seems to communicate with it and before you know it, you are sending at 40 to 50 WPM as you practice sending text from a book, almost like speaking. Go to YouTube and search for Begali where there is an operator sending at 50 WPM.
AG6V Rating: 2011-07-05
Magnificent! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I had the opportunity to visit the Begali booth at the ARRL National Convention in Plano, TX 2011. I spent many happy hours testing all the paddles there. Mr Begali and his daughter were most helpful and friendly. Super fine adjustments are possible, the mechanisms are solid and effortless, and it is a beauty to look at as well. CW is my mode 99.99% and I have more keys and paddles than fit on the station desk. This is my most-used one!
K5ND Rating: 2011-02-22
Awesome key Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I purchased my key on eBay. I'm delighted with the multiple ways to adjust the key: heighth and width of paddles in addition to the usual tension and contact gap. I've got the narrow base and find it to fit my fist just fine. The weight and stance of the paddle ensure that it never moves no matter how excited I get about the DX I'm working.

I also own a Schurr Profi that I adore, but the Graciella is the key I use and show off to visitors. I find it to be the perfect key for me. You can see photos and a discussion at http://www.k5nd.net
K6LEN Rating: 2010-08-02
SOOOOO Smooth! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I recently had the opportunity to purchase a previously owned Graciella from a ham that really didn't want to part with it, but was facing some financial challenges. Never having played with one before, I leaned on the many positive reviews here on Eham. You guys are right on with your comments about this paddle.

The look and feel is unlike any other paddles I have used or currently own. The weight and balance are perfect, and almost infinitely adjustable. Once set up to my liking, it took all of about an hour to realize that this is the smoothest and most effortless keying device I have ever used.

Because this paddle had the previous owner's call sign lasered into the base, I contacted Bruna (Piero's daughter) about purchasing a new wide Palladium base. She was most helpful, and after ordering the new (heavy) base, it took only 7 days to receive the package from Italy! I received a signed document with the serial number of the new base just as if I had purchased a new Graciella.

OK, long story a little shorter, I LOVE this paddle! Sitting on my desk, I am amazed at the beauty of this sulptured work of art. AND, it functions as beautifully as it looks. It even allows me to make fewer mistakes at higher speeds.

Thank you Bruna and Piero for assisting me in changing out the new base. Oh, as a final note, I sent the original base with the previous owner's callsign back to him with hopes that he will someday soon be able to purchase the top part very soon. I HIGHLY recommend this paddle.
VR2AI Rating: 2008-12-22
Great Paddle Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is my second Begali key, the brother of Sculpture key. I bought this Graciella Vertical Paddle for my IC-7700. It has fantastic outlook and smooth operation. The quality is at high standard. I request to engrave my callsign on this key since I am sure I won't sell it out. If you want to find an excellence key, this is your first choice.

Thanks again to Begali company.

Anthony/VR2AI
W6YDE Rating: 2008-11-19
The best there is! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is my second Begali set of paddles. The looks and performance of this Graciella Vertical Paddle, as shown above in header, is second to none. I can only compare it with a fine automobile like a Rolls or Benz. This paddle is a work of art. Not a single item is left to be improved.

After my first Begali purchase, I was so impressed with the Begali's service, emails and quialty... that I just had to have another. The feel of the movemet is very smooth. Adjustments are very fine and percise. Workmanship is the best that I have ever seen and the servce is second to none.

Paddles arrived in only 5 day from Italy, with Saturday and Sunday included. I don't know how they do it. The shipping box is very well made and reinforced. With all items double boxed with lots of extra packing around the inside box.

If you are looking or wanting a first class set of paddles and want the best, then spring for a Begali!

Mike/W6YDE
W2AVC Rating: 2008-08-18
Class Act Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
High quality is very gratifying regardless what type of machinery it describes. Like the Signature, the Graciella represents some of the finest engineering and quality control I've ever seen. My hat is off to the Begalis for another outstanding product!
The action is wonderfully smooth and infinitely adjustable... a real pleasure to use.