How do I remove bass rods/buttons on this accordion?

[accordion]

Hi! I just bought this 80 bass accordion for $100. The only problem as far as I can tell are the brittle plastic bass buttons that are breaking. Im going to replace them but I cant figure out how to remove the bass rods and buttons. The problem is that under the retainer there are three long thin wires that run through the bass rod tabs. There are two retainers, one for all three chords (maj, min, 7th), and one for bass and counterbass. It seems like the bass rods are attached to the retainers with those wires so I dont know what to do. Pictures below.

This is the accordion.


Here is a front view of the rods.



Here is a view from under the retainer. You can see the three wires to the right of the last tab. They run underneath the retainer and through all the bass rod tabs. The wires dont connect to anything on either side-- they are loose.



Here is a view from the side so you can see how the wires run through the tabs. You cant remove the wire from the tab. Do I have to remove all of the chord buttons with the retainer? How would I even pull it all out at once?

 

[Soulsaver]

I've not seen this arrangement before. If you can see how to get the retainer out, then before its removal I'd (painters) tape all the rods for that retainer together. Getting them back in maybe tricky (impossible?) particularly for the inner rows?
I'm guessing these were built with side covers added last. You've considered removing a/the side so the retaining wires can be slid out and in for reassembly?

Some of the pro restorers may have seen this before & give you better guidance.

 

[artelagro]

This isn't something I have tried yet but I would be tempted to leave the rods in place and try to remove the buttons using a soldering iron from the underside.
As Soulsaver says, I would wait to see what the pros suggest.
Garth

 

[kimric]

You can remove these types of rods by pulling out the very thin wire that runs through the flat bit at the bottom of the rod, it is not a whole lot different than pulling the rod on the keyboard. This frees the rod and you can lift it from the slot and then pull the button down and out.

The trick using the soldering iron on the rod to free the button works well. keep a bit of solder on the iron , it will work faster. Keep a cup of water handy to dunk the button in if it catches fire.

 

[Soulsaver]

You can remove these types of rods by pulling out the very thin wire that runs through the flat bit at the bottom of the rod, it is not a whole lot different than pulling the rod on the keyboard. This frees the rod and you can lift it from the slot and then pull the button down and out.

The trick using the soldering iron on the rod to free the button works well. keep a bit of solder on the iron , it will work faster. Keep a cup of water handy to dunk the button in if it catches fire.

Are these early buttons stuck on with wax?

 

[Soulsaver]

Clearly the key is how you get the wires out. From the OP description they are 'floating',aren't fixed to the sides. If the sides were painted wood and I could see no way of removing the side without damage & had no other suggestions, I'd drill a hole (or maybe 3) opposite the ends of the wire and draw the wire out through the hole. After reassembly, I'd fill the hole with prop wood filler from my diy stock and paint it to match the side.

 

[Soulsaver]

I'm intrigued to learn: Did we get a solution to this?

 

[simonking]

I've taken apart one of these types of bass mechanism on a Settimio Soprani Lido (I've heard it called a Scandalli or spatula-type bass machine).

It's the thin wires threaded through the 'spatulas' that stop the buttons popping out. Once you've started unthreading it, curve it out of the way slightly so that the wire comes out to one side of the instrument - you'll find it's flexible enough but be careful not to permanently kink it.

I wouldn't try anything with a soldering iron and certainly not with the parts in situ. If you get the parts hot enough for it to work, you're likely to damage something else. And you don't want to end up with the spatula somehow not attached to the rod.

One thing to note is the old style 4-note seventh chords. This can be modifed but it's permanent as it involves snipping bits of metal off. On old accordion like this I would leave it.

Simon.

 

[Soulsaver]

Ive taken apart one of these types of bass mechanism on a Settimio Soprani Lido (Ive heard it called a Scandalli or spatula-type bass machine).

Its the thin wires threaded through the spatulas that stop the buttons popping out. Once youve started unthreading it, curve it out of the way slightly so that the wire comes out to one side of the instrument - youll find its flexible enough but be careful not to permanently kink it.

I wouldnt try anything with a soldering iron and certainly not with the parts in situ. If you get the parts hot enough for it to work, youre likely to damage something else. And you dont want to end up with the spatula somehow not attached to the rod.

One thing to note is the old style 4-note seventh chords. This can be modifed but its permanent as it involves snipping bits of metal off. On old accordion like this I would leave it.

Simon.

Getting it back in must be a lot harder than getting it out..

 

[kimric]

The buttons are tuck on with a bit of liquid celluloid, i have removed 100's of them from salvaged accordions. The spatulas are nearly always spot welded on so the part would have to glow before that was an issue. The aluminium guide is not really an issue either. we are talking about 250F or so (115C or so)
If you are worried about damaging the spatulas , grab the rod just above it with some needle nose pliers ( a trick you use while soldering heat sensitive electronic parts, pliers work as a heat sink) while you apply heat about half an inch below the button, you only need to get it a bit soft so you can tug it off. I have found drilling it out just barely the rod size and sticking the new one on with thick/gap filling super glue works a champ. You only need a tiny amount. Give it 5/10 min to harden, adjust the height before it does.

I agree , no need to drill holes the rod is whisker thin and can be deflected out to clear the sides of the accordion.