Beginner Question about Servicing Reed Blocks

[VintageIorio]

Or....what makes reeds go out of tune?

I have a Hohner Tango II M that had many, many silent reeds. Through this forum, thanks to Jim D :ch and others I got almost all reeds sounding again. In the process the plastic valves were flying off likes autumn leaves in the wind. I got the ones on the outside of the block reinstalled and put the box back together. MUCH BETTER, so I am happy with my work.

So there are still missing valves on the inside of the reed blocks and the wax seems brittle. Since I can't afford to have the work done professionally right now I'm thinking of methodically and carefully removing the reeds, cleaning them (maybe in solvent of some type?), reinstalling valves and rewaxing. There is no rust or corrosion on the reeds, by the way, that I can see.

My beginner brain is telling me that if the reed blocks are put back together with clean reeds and revalved and rewaxed than the tuning should be the same as it left the factory. :?

Am I way off the mark here? :?:

Regards,

--Loren

 

[Soulsaver]

Way off the mark... will at least need some spot tuning, more likely retuned.

 

[Tom]

Hi Loren,

I don't really know the physics involved but I believe that what Soul is getting that is that some reeds will drift out of tune through regulare playing, age, etc. I would suggest that you fix up the leathers first and then see how the accordion sounds. I would not stress over minor variations, as seen with a tuner perhaps, on your vintage Hohner. Play it for a while and see if you hear notes that are really obviously out of tune and think about addressing them, either DIY or professionally. I think you will be way farther ahead if you identify the notes before taking them to a repair place. Just my humble oponion here and I wish you the best of luck with your Tango. Tom

 

[JIM D.]

Tom your quite right. In 90% of cases cleaning (blowing out reeds} and valve replacement will be all thats needed to get reeds that have been stored for a period of time working just fine.

 

[Soulsaver]

You're both right, of course, Tom & Jim, but he asked if would be like it left the factory... not whether it would be ok for busking... which it probably will. Maybe I should have covered that aspect, but it was late & I'd just finished a nice bottle of Shiraz

 

[goldtopia]

I read somewhere, it may have been oneBay of a particular accordion that has its reeds pinned onto cork, which is said to have a superior sound. Is there any truth in this ?.

 

[JIM D.]

Yes there have been accordions made with reeds pinned in with screws or nails using cork or leather for gasket. This was an old practise from years ago but the reed sound and vibration is much better transmitted by reeds held firmly in place by reedwax. And ED; Shriaz ??? I've never tried it. :ch

 

[kimric]

Missing valves will really throw the tuning.

 

[Soulsaver]

Maybe US know it as Syrah, Jim? Same grape.

 

[VintageIorio]

I need to thank everyone who gave such good answers to my question even though my question wasn't all that clear. Thank you.

I'm going to take Tom's advice and work on the reed valves and then see where we are. I know I was way off the mark when I thought that cleaning and revalving and rewaxing would bring the tuning back to original factory specs. I wasn't taking into consideration that there are other reasons besides dirt and rust that throw off the tuning.

I'm NOT looking for perfection. I just bought this box to have a lighter accordion to play on the porch this summer and get it playing good enough that my family won't wince when I play. Come to think of it, maybe it's my playing that might make them wince? :? I was told at one time that no matter what tunes I play they all sound like polkas!

Having decided to tackle this project myself.....Now I have questions about scintilla and cleaning solvents but I'll put those queries in another post.

Thanks you ALL!