I don't have an air button?

[Thomas N]

I store my 8X on the floor and always pick it up from the bottom - never the top. So there is no chance for the bellows to move. It's just something I've done for years without a thought. And when I finish playing I just hit the air release button to close them and set it down the same way - by holding it from the bottom.

My two acoustics have bellow straps and I always close them when I finish playing and then set the accordion down. It's just never been something I've wondered about or needed on the FR-8X and I also have seen the posts of users drilling in or snapping in bellows straps. To me it's always been a solution looking for a problem.

 

[Dingo40]

I always store my accordions in the playing position

Why would you store an electronic accordion in a playing position: does it have reeds/reed valves?

 

[Pipemajor]

To me it's always been a solution looking for a problem.

The problem was there before I fixed it.
When I placed the Roland on my knees to put the back straps on there was always a nasty clunk as the play in the bellows allowed it to move.
Fixed bellows straps. Problem solved. It was good enough for JimD in a previous thread so it's good enough for me.

 

[Pipemajor]

Why would you store an electronic accordion in a playing position: does it have reeds/reed valves?

Obviously not, but I store all my accordions on converted amp stands and I just made a habit of storing them all in the same way.

 

[Thomas N]

The problem was there before I fixed it.
When I placed the Roland on my knees to put the back straps on there was always a nasty clunk as the play in the bellows allowed it to move.
Fixed bellows straps. Problem solved. It was good enough for JimD in a previous thread so it's good enough for me.

You mention FR-8 in your previous post and not FR-8X. I have no idea how similar they are in bellows movement. Also, I don't use a back-strap on any of my three accordions. I did for years but switched them all out two or three years ago and like it so much better now.

EDIT: Just figured out there never was an FR-8. Previous model was the FR-7X so we're talking about the same accordions. I have never had the FR-8X bellows move when placed on my knees for 10 years. Maybe I just have a tighter bellows?

 

[JIM D.]

Some of you know that I'm affliated with Falcetti Music and the head of the
Falcetti Custom Shop . When the Roland 8x was introduced it was offered only
in lieu of bellows straps. Well it wasn't long before accidents began causing
the need for repairs that were in some cases costly. The main problem was
setting an 8x down with a bit of air in the bellows, the accordion tends to
act like a Slinky Toy and will topple over. When the accordion topples from
a table or stool damage is always the result. The other and costly repair is
when dropping the accordion with air in the bellows, the bladder (not unlike
an eardrum) is damaged and requires replacement. Because of these unintentional
accidents I designed a bellows strap kit for the 8x. We know handle the Korg
models and they have also come in lieu of bellows straps.
Well the good news, is that all Roland 8x and Korg models will now include bellows
straps installed at no cost.

 

[Thomas N]

Some of you know that I'm affliated with Falcetti Music and the head of the
Falcetti Custom Shop . When the Roland 8x was introduced it was offered only
in lieu of bellows straps. Well it wasn't long before accidents began causing
the need for repairs that were in some cases costly. The main problem was
setting an 8x down with a bit of air in the bellows, the accordion tends to
act like a Slinky Toy and will topple over. When the accordion topples from
a table or stool damage is always the result. The other and costly repair is
when dropping the accordion with air in the bellows, the bladder (not unlike
an eardrum) is damaged and requires replacement. Because of these unintentional
accidents I designed a bellows strap kit for the 8x. We know handle the Korg
models and they have also come in lieu of bellows straps.
Well the good news, is that all Roland 8x and Korg models will now include bellows
straps installed at no cost.

Thank you Jim! That explains it. I've never once set any of my accordions down without hitting the air release button prior. I could see that being an issue if one doesn't. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why you would want bellows straps.

Good to see you post!!

 

[OuijaBoard]

I've encountered vintage-to-the-point-of-antique concertinas built sans air buttons. Have one, actually. If not actually playing, it's possible to release air almost soundlessly by pressing a couple/few buttons and hitting a sweet spot on pressure. When playing only a single note but needing speedier release I add another note or two as a double stop or chordal color. Yes, you can have air release added. But I haven't felt the need on that particular instrument.

 

[noelekal]

Also, some vintage Scandalli (Brevetto/Polifonico) and Settimio Sopranii models.

I have a ‘52 Scandalli with internal bellows lock.

 

[Pipemajor]

I have a ‘52 Scandalli with internal bellows lock.

I have an ancient Johann Fartek Steirische box which has an internal hook and eye type fastener. The type you would get on a garden gate.
To operate it you turn the box, wiggle it and hopefully it engages/disengages.
It was all very confusing when I originally got it from Austria with no instructions and no obvious means of opening the bellows.

 

[dak]

Why would you store an electronic accordion in a playing position: does it have reeds/reed valves?

In order not to set a bad example. I know that the German climbers' association nowadays recommends "a) not using the munter hitch for belaying" "b) if you do, use it in the same rope configuration as 'normal' belay devices". Problem is that the munter hitch is prone to flipping about and unscrewing if you use the orientation of other belay devices on it. In contrast, if you hold other belay devices like you'd properly hold a munter hitch, they will not properly brake a fall. The people using munter hitches tend to be experienced climbers, so beginners tend to look at what they are doing for rope handling, and copying best munter hitch practices for different belay devices is plain dangerous.

On the other hand, not assuming that you are surrounded by clueless idiots is overoptimistic as we learn in every election. And storing your digital accordion in playing orientation is not likely causing damage to it.

 

[Waldo]

So much for the air release question.

 

[dak]

So much for the air release question.

As a German uncle of mine called out to a group of departing U.S. relatives when the proper English word evaded him: "Well, have a good Fahrt!"

 

[debra]

It is not a Russian diatonic hromka. Its a hagström of some description. How would I go about adding one?

The discussion kinda went in different directions...
Returning to the original question: the first thing to check is whether the "dim" button on the top note isn't an air button. On my Crucianelli (Super Video) the topmost bass button (closest to where you would look for an air button "around the corner") is the air button. Likewise, on my AKKO bayan the topmost bass button is also the air button.

 

[dak]

The discussion kinda went in different directions...
Returning to the original question: the first thing to check is whether the "dim" button on the top note isn't an air button. On my Crucianelli (Super Video) the topmost bass button (closest to where you would look for an air button "around the corner") is the air button. Likewise, on my AKKO bayan the topmost bass button is also the air button.

In contrast, on the rectangular bass button board of the old Morino Artiste D series with its 127 or something standard bass buttons, all the bass buttons in incomplete diagonals produce exactly what you'd expect them to play. In a similar vein, on the treble side of those instruments the buttons in the fourth "helper" button row that have only been added because of aesthetic considerations still carry a note (in contrast to the bass situation, this means not just more levers but additional reed plates, too). Which means that C system accordions have an additional low note that B system accordions don't have while the latter have an additional high note.

Someone was kind of obsessive here… My guess is that you won't find an old Morino where a "regular" bass button was ever demoted to air button. Incidentally, the actual air button on my main instrument is a "decorative" bar running the whole length of the bass side. Quite convenient.