How do you tie a note to a reed block

[Mike K]

I have a 3rd octave B on one of the middle reeds that goes out of tune in one direction when it is played loud. I want to take a look at it to see if I can determine the reason why but I am having trouble correlating a key to the reed. Is there any standard method? I got lucky on a problem with one of the basoon reeds, they somewhat resembled the layout of the black and white keys and of course they were the biggest reeds. This one is giving me problems to find. Tried taking the block out and playing it like a harmonica but that was not working too well.

 

[TomBR]

Take off the grill and you can see the relationship between the keyboard and the pallets and therefore the reed blocks

 

[Mike K]

Take off the grill and you can see the relationship between the keyboard and the pallets and therefore the reed blocks

Well, with 4 sets of reeds, it do appear apparent to me.

 

[colinm]

I have a 3rd octave B on one of the middle reeds that goes out of tune in one direction when it is played loud. I want to take a look at it to see if I can determine the reason why but I am having trouble correlating a key to the reed. Is there any standard method? I got lucky on a problem with one of the basoon reeds, they somewhat resembled the layout of the black and white keys and of course they were the biggest reeds. This one is giving me problems to find. Tried taking the block out and playing it like a harmonica but that was not working too well.

If you have got the grill off, and a reed block out, open the appropriate register , press the appropriate key and you will see which hole is slightly uncovered where the reed block was
If you cannot see an uncovered hole, you have taken the wrong block out, try another one


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[JIM D.]

Hi Mike:
I read your original post, but hesitated to reply as we have quite a few Forum members here that would, and will respond, and of course, offer you with advice.
If you have more ??'s on the fix, please if you may - inform us of the box you have? and make and model, only to assist your disassembly and reassembly of your box.
Depending on the box you have, the offending reed may only need to be blown out (dirt) in the reed block, or removed, cleaned, and then re-waxed in.

 

[JerryPH]

...the offending reed may only need to be blown out (dirt) in the reed block, or removed, cleaned, and then re-waxed in.

That kind of begs the question... what is the proper way to clean a reed short of blowing it out?

 

[xocd]

That kind of begs the question... what is the proper way to clean a reed short of blowing it out?

One just literally blows (or sucks) hard on the reed by placing the right hole of the reed block against your lips. (Just saw Jim D. do this to great effect on my accordion this Saturday )

 

[JIM D.]

Many times accordions left sitting for periods of time will have reed tongues that will stick in the reed plate and not sound. This happen's more often with accordions with fine hand made or hand fitted reeds that have not been played for a period of time. The reed tongues on 99% of the accordions made in the last century have been made of spring steel and have had reed plates of zinc (20's to 30's) and now brass and aluminium. Leaving these 2 different metals in contact for a period of time will cause without attention, or movement cause a galvanic effect that will build up and cause the tongue to stick and not vibrate. Dirt particles however fine, will also stop a reed tongue from vibrating. In most cases a hard yank on to bellows will free up a reed tongue, but in some cases the reed block can be removed and without removing the reed, a hard volume of air flow to the reed will free the tongue. In most cases in quality made accordions, this procedure will correct stuck reed tongues, but in some mediocre brands, the reed plate needs removal, to clean and to align a tongue. Now you must also consider on a high pitched reed a missing or ill fitting valve (plastic or leather) may not close properly and not give a smaller tongue enough air flow to vibrate.

 

[JerryPH]

That kind of begs the question... what is the proper way to clean a reed short of blowing it out?

One just literally blows (or sucks) hard on the reed by placing the right hole of the reed block against your lips. (Just saw Jim D. do this to great effect on my accordion this Saturday )[/quote]

Is that generally acknowledged as a not good practice? The moisture in the breath promotes passing moist air through the reed and introduces the possibility starting or adding of rust to the insides of the reed? (just asking... NOT criticizing )

 

[JIM D.]

Take a note of 24:59 in this video ---

Do you think we should inform the Pigini factory of this bad practice ??

 

[landro]

Personally and as a rule I try not to blow into a reed block hole. That said, my research on this subject some years ago has left me with the conclusion that it should not be harmful .
I usually use my bellows tester as long as it is handy.

 

[JerryPH]

Take a note of 24:59 in this video ---

Do you think we should inform the Pigini factory of this bad practice ??

I don[t know.. should we? :lol:

I mean, Id never do it on my accordion, really. It is kind of common sense that the metal on reeds rusts, and it is known that normal human breath is quite moist... and even worse... quite hot, perfect to make a nice coating of condensation on my nice cold metal reeds. Metal+hot most breath=condensation=a good start on rusted reeds.

Then again, what do I know... I dont build $40,000+ accordions.

 

[george garside]

before doing anything else hold the key of the offending note and push and pull the bellows very hard as this may well dislodge a small particle that is partialy jamming a reed.
Better still is you can use couplers to just allow the particular bank of reeds containing the offending one to open.
george