Excelsior Concert Grand

[Idolizeidleeyes]

Hello all, I recently purchased this old Excelsior (with very new bellows!) I'm happy with it, it sounds awesome, but it has a few curiosities.

The second image shows a red circular plug(? It doesn't depress) on the top of the accordion. Does it have a purpose?

The 3rd, 4th and 5th images show screws screwed into opposing corner joints of the treble box. They are rather loose and don't seem to grab the wood very well when attempting to tighten (I didn't try very hard, fearing the potential for splitting a joint). Is this something to should worry about (regarding structural integrity) and is there anything that can be done to improve whatever function they provide?

The reeds- many have 3 scratches, some 2, the bass reeds have only one. Many of the M reeds also appear to have numbers or letters stamped in addition to the scratches, and a few even have criss cross scratches. I understand 3 scratches is a good thing but what's with all the variance?

Lastly, any and all historical info on this model would be most welcome!

Thank you all!

 

[John Doe]

The second image shows a red circular plug(? It doesn't depress) on the top of the accordion. Does it have a purpose?

It lets you know which bass reeds are engaged. Pushing the switch bar above the buttons on the LH section should cause it to go in and out.

 

[Dingo40]

any and all historical info on this model would be most welcome!

To me, it appears to have some quite oldish (= 1930s?) features ;
The red button selector indicator, the bass strap tension adjustment, right angled corners everywhere (including bellows corners!
Our member JimD was very knowledgeable regarding vintage upper end Excelsior accordions, but we don't see him often nowadays

 

[Dingo40]

Hello all, I recently purchased this old Excelsior (with very new bellows!)

Hi,
Is that new bellows or simply new bellows tapes?

 

[debra]

The red "plug" as you describe it is probably a bass register indicator. As while playing you cannot see the position of a register switch some old accordions have indicators on the top (in the playing orientation) to show the position of register switches. Especially when a register switch is just a toggle it's anyone's guess (until you start playing) which position the toggle is in. The indicator then helps.

 

[Idolizeidleeyes]

Hi,
Is that new bellows or simply new bellows tapes?

The original description on eBay stated "Newer bellows are airtight" which feels close to the truth- the folds are nice and stiff and there is very little, if any air loss while playing- but perhaps relatively new bellows would've been better wording on my part

Truth be told, the updated bellows was the deciding factor when deciding whether to pull the trigger on the purchase ($300). All my accordions have been purchased secondhand, and many have had bellows-related leaks requiring various degrees of repair, so I'm very happy avoiding that situation in this case (although a number of leathers [not pictured] could still use replacing).

Edit: All this talk of air leak also runs tangent to my concern regarding the two screws set (possibly stripped) at 2 opposing corner joints of the treble side, presumably to repair a separation at some point in the past (?) If the screw holes have in fact been stripped, could it be beneficial to remove the screws, plug the holes, and carefully replace the screws into a new pilot hole?

 

[Idolizeidleeyes]

It lets you know which bass reeds are engaged. Pushing the switch bar above the buttons on the LH section should cause it to go in and out.

The red "plug" as you describe it is probably a bass register indicator. As while playing you cannot see the position of a register switch some old accordions have indicators on the top (in the playing orientation) to show the position of register switches. Especially when a register switch is just a toggle it's anyone's guess (until you start playing) which position the toggle is in. The indicator then helps.

And that's exactly what it does, wow that is cool. As you said Debra, to know the current register setting prior to playing would be impossible with this design if not for the additional indicator.

Thanks guys, I would likely have never made that observation.