Bass buttons sticking

[Rogerthomas]

Hi

Are there any tricks to prevent a couple of bass buttons from sticking? They are on the contrabass row (D# and G# - so they are repeated twice elsewhere) and although I've tried a variety of things, the blighters still catch on the edge of the hole if you push them too far . For instance I've tried taking off the lip of the hole with a round file and making minor adjustment to the push rod to try and angle the black button away from the hole, which has improved the situation a bit, but not solved it. I had an interesting time getting the finger-board back onto the buttons as well . The PA is a Barcarole.

Thanks

 

[JIM D.]

I'm unsure of the design of the bass machine on your accordion, but in most cases of an accordion with a stradella bass machine the buttons are attached to a rod we call a piston. Again, on most accordions these pistons have a felt covered wood or metal shelf that limits the downward travel of the piston. you might check to see if this shelf has moved or become loose. If this shelf is intact you might apply another layer of felt to limit the piston's downward travel.

 

[Rogerthomas]

Hi Jim, thanks for this. This has crossed my mind... I'll give it a try. The bass machine lifts out and there is a felt covered limiter attached to the underside of the BM, though I have to say the limiter is a bit flimsy and flexes in the mddle.

 

[Nuuksu]

Be sure to watch out that there isn't any sticking fingeroils/fats mixed with dust and angle of button is completely parrallel with hole.

 

[Rogerthomas]

Yes it's the buttons sticking.

 

[kimric]

I believe that was a east German company.
I think some of those had a wood comb that guided the button rod I found rubbing the sides of the offending rod with a pencil lead (graphite) where it rubbed sometimes helped.
It is important to see if the button has been bent (mentioned earlier) as this can cause it to jam.
Otherwise it may just need the parts polished where they touch each other, as oil does not really hep, and will cause problems in the future.

A different problem I run into on occasion is the celluloid skin has shrunk and is out of alignment with the wood button board, you will need to sand the celluloid back (sandpaper wrapped around a dowel) where it slightly covers the button hole.