New tape or new bellows

[Rneaser]

Hello everyone, I aquired this accordion from my Grandfather in 2017.

Although I have done a few repairs for the accordion, I'm not sure how to approach the bellows.

I want to know people's experiences with replacing an entire bellows. Is it more expensive than just the tape?

The accordion was bought by my Grandpa at some point during the 1950s.


I am learning to play, and I will keep it regardless. I would try to replace just the off white tape, since it is peeling in places.
Thanks for all your help,
Ryan

 

[Dingo40]

Welcome Rneaser!
The tape can be replaced.
New bellows are quite expensive.

 

[debra]

Replacing the tape is certainly less work and cheaper than replacing the bellows completely.
I have replaced the tape on my old Crucianelli (that had also a pattern) and used just black and I feel it looks better now with just black.

 

[Snoopz]

There's a fairly good explanation over at Accordion revival: https://accordionrevival.com/ACCORDION_REPAIR_2.php#Replacing_bellows_tape

 

[Ventura]

hi

so nice that you are keeping the legacy of your Grampa alive

while the bellows are drying out, and beginning to show
signs of wear, i see no obvious reason to totally re-tape or replace in evidence
except those 2 small sections of white.. did a small piece get torn away ?

re-crimping the rounded corners carefully is what i would do first,
as that is the underlying problem and new tape does not solve that.
(there is a tool and technique involved so they crimp rather
than crush) i can see signs of pressure which would eventually
break the tape right where it overlaps those corners

if the bellows seem to be "leaking" air, maybe let's try to
find where things are no longer tight, like the main gaskets,
which usually go first, or even the key pads which can seep
from age hardness and angle change

those soft kid-skin inside corners also usually outlast the rest
of the bellows, but if one was punctured accidentally there
can be an air leak

it is a nice accordion and worth keeping and playing