Correct Length for Reed Leathers

[VintageIorio]

Im working on making my eBay purchase work better. The main problem was that the reed leathers were very much curled on the bass section so I am installing new reed valves. One thing I noticed on this accordion is that on the lowest note bass reed block the leathers were fairly flat but they didnt quite cover the reed slots in the reed plates.

On the other few accordions that I looked at the reed valves whether plastic or leather did completely cover the slots. They were actually maybe a millimeter or two longer than the slots.

My plan is to install slightly longer leathers so that the slot is covered completely.

HOWEVER.....I am a novice at this type of work so I am just wondering if the short reed leathers were a mistake OR was it done on purpose. That is....is there a reason to make the reed leathers slightly short?

Minor question but Im sure someone on this forum will know the answer.

Thanks!

Im including a couple pictures. Thanks for your help!

 

[JIM D.]

These short leathers are for a purpose !! Heavy reed tongues with to much air flow will tend to choke and not sound. These short leathers work like a relief valve.

 

[VintageIorio]

I KNEW I could count on this forum for good advice! Thank you Jim D. :ch I will install the new leathers just the way they were with a little gap. Thank you for your present, past and maybe future good advice. --Loren

 

[JIM D.]

And by the way Nice Reeds!! Hand made and double riveted. What kind of box are they installed in ???

 

[VintageIorio]

And by the way Nice Reeds!! Hand made and double riveted. What kind of box are they installed in ???

Thanks, Jim. These reeds are from that early Weltmeister 40 bass that I got from Bulgaria. I posted about the purchase in accordion chat. Im guessing that it is an older model as the shift levers are metal and later models are plastic. The reed blocks are marked 31 and the inside of the box is stamped 136/31. I doubt that means much.

Anyway...glad to hear that it has nice reeds. Cant wait to hear what it sounds like re-valved.

 

[nagant27]

I have an off topic question about these reeds. I understand the double rivet and can see them, but how can you tell if they are hand made? I read people saying hand made, hand finished, tipo a mano, etc. and just wanted to know what I should be looking for. I can see when a reed is hand scratched when tuning, but was wondering about the hand made versus machine made. If they are tuned, aren't all reeds hand finished, or is that something different? Or does that mean a dremel was used?
thanks

 

[JIM D.]

See here --- http://www.bradfordaccordionband.org.uk/hand-made-reeds/

 

[nagant27]

Thank you Jim. You are always helpful.