Changing marked bass buttons

[Wheezer]

I have a Titano Royal with the B and Db bass buttons marked. I would like to change it so that the E and Ab buttons are marked. Is this a simple process? Do the buttons pull off?

I’m always hesitant to start messing with things for fear of introducing a bigger problem. i’m wondering if this is a simple, low risk project, or if I should leave well enough alone.

 

[JerryPH]

I don't know how they are assembled, but some accordions have the plastic bass buttons screwed on, so if that is the case, it may be as simple as unscrewing the 4 buttons and screwing them back on in the locations you want... but some are permanently glued in place and that then becomes a VERY advanced issue to resolve.

You could try reaching out to JIM D. here on our forum and see if he knows, and there is also always the possibility of reaching directly to Titano and seeing what they have to say.

 

[Wheezer]

paging @JIM D.

 

[Wheezer]

I don't know how they are assembled, but some accordions have the plastic bass buttons screwed on, so if that is the case, it may be as simple as unscrewing the 4 buttons and screwing them back on in the locations you want... but some are permanently glued in place and that then becomes a VERY advanced issue to resolve.

You could try reaching out to JIM D. here on our forum and see if he knows, and there is also always the possibility of reaching directly to Titano and seeing what they have to say.

I was also thinking of leaving the B and Db alone, and adding some kind of additional, but distinctive mark, like a crystal, to the E and Ab. Non-invasive surgery…

 

[Tom]

I've used nail polish which is removable and you can incise it for feeling. Sparkly pink is good! You could set a jewel into the nail polish.

 

[debra]

I have a Titano Royal with the B and Db bass buttons marked. I would like to change it so that the E and Ab buttons are marked. Is this a simple process? Do the buttons pull off?
...

Normally the buttons are "press on" (not screwed, not glued). So it sounds simple, but... you need to be able to hold the metal piston firmly (with pliers or a vice) in order to pry off the button itself, and in order to do that a lot of the bass mechanism needs to be disassembled. So it really is easier said than done.

 

[Ffingers]

Normally the buttons are "press on" (not screwed, not glued). So it sounds simple, but... you need to be able to hold the metal piston firmly (with pliers or a vice) in order to pry off the button itself, and in order to do that a lot of the bass mechanism needs to be disassembled. So it really is easier said than done.

Paul, in my ingenuity, I bought a pair of long nosed anglers' pliers - the one that they use to unhook a fish thinking that they might serve for this kind of messing with squeezebox mechanisms and you know what, sometimes ignorance is bliss - they are incredibly good for getting in and around the bass mechanisms
The ones which I bought are made of rigid stainless steel, are very narrow in construction and quite long in the nose.
Life's funny, ain't it ?!

 

[debra]

Paul, in my ingenuity, I bought a pair of long nosed anglers' pliers - the one that they use to unhook a fish thinking that they might serve for this kind of messing with squeezebox mechanisms and you know what, sometimes ignorance is bliss - they are incredibly good for getting in and around the bass mechanisms
The ones which I bought are made of rigid stainless steel, are very narrow in construction and quite long in the nose.
Life's funny, ain't it ?!

Excellent! The longest I have are not long enough to reach the (marked) base notes. The pistons of 4 rows of chords are in the way. And I have long nosed pliers that are thin enough at the tip, but alas not thin enough further towards the hinge...
So when I need to work on base notes, or even worse, on MIII melody bass notes, I simply remove the bass mechanism piece by piece. It's not a daunting or complex task, it just takes time (and you have to be careful to keep all the pistons and catorcetti in the right order).

 

[Big Squeezy Accordions]

I have a Titano Royal with the B and Db bass buttons marked. I would like to change it so that the E and Ab buttons are marked. Is this a simple process? Do the buttons pull off?

I’m always hesitant to start messing with things for fear of introducing a bigger problem. i’m wondering if this is a simple, low risk project, or if I should leave well enough alone.

No need to remove the buttons. If the markers are only divots, you can fill them in with epoxy using a toothpick, sanding them with fine sandpaper after curing so they feel smooth. If they have rhinestones, you should be able to pry those out and do the same. Then use a Dremel tool with a ball-shaped engraving bit to make new divots. The button must be secured tightly while doing this. I use a small, curved pliers with leather glued over the metal to avoid scratching, but a small spring clamp could work as well. If you are nervous about dremeling your accordion, glue something textured to the buttons, as others have suggested.

 

[Wheezer]

Thanks everybody. It looks like there is enough potential for something to go wrong that I’ll leave well enough alone.