Is This Mold or Dirt on my Bellows?

[The Happy Wanderer]

I recently purchased a used PA (I play the Diatonic Button Accordion, and I decided I would also like to try a Piano Accordion.) The accordion works fine, the only issues being two slightly buzzy reeds.

However, the bellows are very dirty. On the white corners, they have black gunk on them, there are a few brown stains, and there is a large black spot, which is a bit rough, almost as if it was a patch. By the metal corners, there are white stains (glue?)

One thing I would like to mention, is that there is no musty odor. There is an extremely slight storage type odor, but no strong, musty odor.

The bellows folds are also a bit uneven.

I really like this accordion. I dont want to have to return it, but I dont know what these spots are. I ordered the accordion from a store, which I have ordered from in the past.

Photos

 

[JIM D.]

Sorry for this but Your pic's show a mold growth affecting the bellows cardboard and kidskin bellows diamonds. This condition is also weakening the cardboard and as a result your bellows corners have become loose. The repair or replacement of your bellows might be more than your box is worth.

 

[The Happy Wanderer]

Thanks for the reply.

I will probably return the accordion, and get another one in better condition.


Whats the average price of new bellows?


Edit: I opened the box up, and took a look inside. There is no musty smell in there, and there is much less black inside. The reeds look fine, except for some odd, white valves on the treble side (paper or plastic?) Was this box repaired at one point?

Some photos (two uploads, as the website was giving me errors.)



I also got some new pictures of the outside of the bellows. The big dark spot seems to be some form of glue like substance, almost as if the bellows got a hole, and the previous owner glued them back up. :?